Freedom short lived

Posted by Mommy:

We had five days that we didn’t have to be stuck in the house this last week. CJ got to get out of the house and go swimming, and spend some time with his dad at his house. We didn’t do anything big, even though we spent almost an entire month stuck at home. Well I guess we missed out because when CJ went to the clinic today his ANC is back down to 800. According to the doctor this is normal, and it means that the chemo is doing its job. His counts are going to go up and down during his treatment and not to worry, but just take the precautions they set when his counts are in this range, which means staying at home. CJ can go outside and play with his counts where they are right now he just has to limit it, and only do it at home. We can’t take the chance of catching something from some where else.

The clinic visit today was a fast one. Anyone who has ever had to go to the clinic knows that this is unusual; a two hour visit is the norm, not the exception. Today’s visit took less than 20 minutes. This short of a visit was good and bad. First the good, we didn’t have to set and wait at the clinic. We got to go over to Kosair after a quick visit. The bad news was since we were due Peg shots today; we had to wait there for a bed. I guess they were also expecting a two hour clinic appointment also. We had to wait almost two hours before they had a bed for us. This normally is not fun, but since CJ was feeling pretty good today they let us wait in the playroom at 7 West.

CJ really got to know the playroom in March after spending most of the month there. He was very excited that he got to go back there and play while we were waiting. As soon as we walked into the playroom, CJ went for his favorite toys during our last stay at Kosair. They have a police car that has sirens and a handcuff on the front of the car that shots out and grabs stuff. He played basketball for a good 30 minutes of our wait, and we also played games and even pretend cooked some lunch.

After our wait in the playroom we went to our room at 7 East, which upset CJ quit a bit. He knew what was coming and told the nurse and me how much he didn’t want “mean pig shots.” The best part about the Peg shots is that they are fast, and then you have to wait an hour before we could leave. By the time we left CJ had made friends with all the nurses that were around, and even left with a Thomas the Train balloon that the child life people brought by.

After the Peg shots you have to watch for soreness, a rash, and irritably. CJ on the other hand was in a good mood, without the slightest mark on him, and has run around the house and played Wii since we got back. I just wish the nurses could see CJ right after his treatments. They would all be surprised how active he gets.