May 1st, 2008 - Countdown to radiation

Preparing for radiation therapyThe week began with Cameron going to school until 1:00 on Monday and Tuesday, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  He comes out with a big smile on his face and is so keen to be “normal” again and it is such a joy to see him going off even though I still feel a little nervous, but he does also seem to have found some new friends and to see him doing homework and wanting to do things around the home is great.  He is very tired at the end of each day and doesn’t want to have siestas / naps in the afternoon, but he does relax a bit before his brothers get home later.
 
Yesterday was another Day at the hospital in Brisbane and although this may seem quite bizarre, as we came out of the lift and walked down a now very familiar corridor on route to our first appointment Cameron said “It’s good to be home” and then chuckled.  I laughed and told him not to say that, but then a friend and I had a laugh about it later.  But the odd thing is, it feels like a second home as it is all so familiar – even though it is a house of pain, amidst all of the fear and other unwelcome feelings there is real joy as the children achieve their milestones, fondness and love among all of the people we have met and whose worlds we all now share. Every visit also reminds us how incredibly dedicated the oncologists, nurses, doctors and all the staff really are. 

As days at the hospital go this one was fairly routine. We went through central line care, blood testing and insuflon changing with a fair amount of laughter and banter with the nurses, but insertion of the new insuflon was exceptionally painful for Cameron this time and put a bit of a damper on the proceedings for a few moments.  Then we met up with our now very special friends – little “A” and her Mom and for those of you who have prayed for her and followed her progress you will be pleased to know she looks great and was smiling and chatting to us.  Our visit to outpatients would not have been complete without a visit from Elicia as she breezed in to cheer up Cameron before heading off back to Uni. 

Then we were off to the main event and purpose of our visit to Brisbane on this occasion, a radiation planning meeting, which was primarily to check the mask fitting and all was ready for treatment. Poor Cam does not enjoy being clamped down in this ‘Man in the Mask’ contraption and I cannot say I blame him, but he has a little under two weeks to get used to the idea of what lies ahead every day for 3 weeks once treatment commences.  Then we went along for the C/T Scan and by this time Cam was really starting to feel quite emotional and physically exhausted as we had been walking from one end of one hospital, to the other end of the adjoining women’s hospital, but in true Cameron style he came out smiling and laughing. 

Then we were back to outpatients to see Cameron’s oncologist who is very happy with Cam’s progress. The scan showed that the tumour has certainly shrunk but is still there. Unfortunately, so too is the blood clot in his SVC, so the twice daily injections have to continue, probably until after radiation and possibly until his central line is removed and of course Cam wanted a date for when it will happen. Of course it’s too early to say exactly when that will definitely happen, but Camerone has already worked out a date himself, so we will see if he is right. 

Cam’s blood results also indicated his neutrophils are a little low so we still have to really avoid anyone with sniffles or any other nasties in fact, but he will also have to try to avoid cutting his finger in food tech again…
Yes, he likes to keep us on our toes with injuries when everything starts to get a little too ‘cruisey’.  First there was the food tech cut, then he managed to cut himself on some sharp object when we were out on the river-boat recently, which turned into a minor panic to stop the bleeding and then when Bill took the boys fishing at Mooloolaba last weekend he managed to jab himself with a fish hook. Although none of these injuries were horrific each one presents an opportunity for infection, but the iodine dousing does seem to work.

Anyway, we left Banksia Ward with a goodbye to “M” who Cam says is like a brother to him now and moved straight onto another big milestone for Cameron, which was the return of his wheelchair, which I felt a very slight hesitance about, but faith soon turned that away. Cameron couldn’t resist his last ride and had a quick race around corners before handing it back. What a joy to be able to leave there to return home again.  Cameron was exhausted and slept almost all the way home.
 
“It shall be done to you according to your faith.” Matthew 9:29

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 at 8:52 am and is filed under Week 12. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

One Response to “Countdown to radiation”

  1. Deidre Wadl Says:
    May 4th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Hello dearest Cameron
    Well what a lovely surprise to find your posting on your page. As is everyone else that knows of your journey we too are so proud of you!!! You are a wonderful brave and sure footed young man, all we can say is God keep watching over you.
    Slowly but surely you are getting ahead of this disease, and with your wonderful attitude and acceptance it will pass by very fast. When you are lying down for your radiation relax close your eyes and remember all the wonderful things you have done in your young life. Never forget our thoughts are with you, God bless and sweet dreams
    love as always to all at home and of course to you too. Love Dee Martin Manuella and Kenneth

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