Saturday 9/2/00 - We're back from vacation! It was so nice to get away. There's something about being on the water that is really relaxing. Although the first few days were kind of drizzly, it didn't put a damper on our fun. We went to the Aquarium in La Jolla and to Balboa Park to visit the Science museum and the IMAX theater. Timothy felt pretty well most of the trip. I started to back off on some of his nausea medications (with the permission of his doctor) because he had had several good days in a row, but then he started feeling ill again, so we went right back on schedule. Timothy was determined to get in as much fun as he could, even when he wasn't feeling well. He played tennis, rode his boogie board at the beach, became quite skilled at ping-pong, and swam a lot at the pool. It was great to see Timothy putting his muscles to work again, and boy did he sleep well each night!! Next appointment is this Tuesday for Lab work and check up. I believe at that time they will confirm his next scheduled 'in hospital' chemo - around 9/25. School is starting this week. We are excited to get starterd with Timothy's home teacher and brother Trenton will be starting Kindergarten this year. Thank you for praying. Love, Ginny
Tuesday 9/5/00 - Timothy had a check up this morning and lab work done. He has lost 5 pounds (now at 68 lbs) since he was last weighed 2 weeks ago. It is discouraging - even though he is eating a little better and not getting sick quite as often, he's losing weight. So, Timothy is back on IV nutrician at night, which means the IV needle stays in (no swimming). Timothy's body needs to build up in preparation for the next chemo cycles, which should be starting 9/25. Given Timothy's difficulty with naseua, Dr. Shen says to plan for a 3 day hospital stay (rather than 24 hrs) so he can get extra hydration. We have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Muhonen, Timothy's Neurosurgeon. ***Watch for upcoming vacation picture(s)*** Love, Ginny
Wednesday 9/6/00 - Dr. Muhonen said Timothy is doing great neurologically. He is "very pleased". Timothy's motor skills, reflexes, etc. are normal. We are so thankful. Love, Ginny
Saturday 9/9/00 - Timothy was admitted into the hospital at about 4 PM this afternoon. While at home, Tim had a 101 degree fever. By the time he got to the hospital, his fever did go down below 100. Tim will be in the hospital for about three days, on antibiotics. Tim probably has an infection somewhere in his body. The infection could be in his line, it could be the flu, the doctors do not know at this point. Because Tim is an oncology patient, a fever of any degree will result in him being admitted into the hospital. They want to be very careful with him. His body is not as strong as it use to be and will need all the help it can get to fight off the germs. Tim's white blood count has been running low, lately, so it will be important for the anti-biotics to do the job of killing the infection. Please keep Timothy in your prayers. I will update Tim's web page with the news I get from his family. Carol L.
Sunday 9/10/00 - Timothy's fever continued through Saturday night with a high of 103, but has been down to 99 all day today. He is actually feeling really well. There are no cold symptons present. The resaon Timothy needs to be in the hospital for a 3 day period is because that is how long it takes a culture to grow. The doctors want to make sure that his fever is caused by a viral infection and not a bacterial infection, which might need diffferent antibiotics. As of today, cultre is negative. Timothy was at 71 lbs yesterday, down to 70 today (but that's still 1 lb. up from last Turesday)! They may do another "scope" test tomorrow to double check Timothy's stomach to make sure everything is okay and try to find out why it has been so difficult for him to eat and keep food down (enough to gain some weight so the can be off of the IV nutrition). Thank you for praying. I'm off to make friends with the hospital chair/bed. Love, Ginny
Tuesday 9/12/00 - We got home from the hospital about 7:30 this evening. Timothy's temperature stayed down and the culture did not grow any bacteria, so he must have had a viral infection. Timothy saw the G.I. doctor today. He decided not to do the "scope" since that was done already and was negetive. He did switch Timothy's stomach acid medication to see if that helps. Timothy will continue for now on the TPN IV nutrician. We need to keep praying for Timothy's appetite to increase and that he will keep the food down. The hospital gave us a recipe book with high calorie/high protein drinks. The recipes look delicious, but convincing Timothy is another story. Timothy is glad to be home, although he did say the one good thing about the hospital is how comfortable the bed is. Love, Ginny
Thursday 9/14/00 - Timothy was admitted into the hospital this evening. His fever came back. It was 101 degrees. Tim's doctor has scheduled a CT scan for Tim tomorrow. They want to see if there is any sign of infection in his head. They want to know what is causing the fever.
On a different note, Tim has seen a sports blooper video and he really enjoyed. His mom said Tim was laughing, and laughing, and laughing. If you have seen blooper videos in the stores, lately, please e-mail Tim's family and let them know where they can find them. Carol L
Friday 9/15/00 - Timothy's fever continues to go up and down. No results from the Sinus Cat Scan yet. New blood work and cultures taken. The doctor says Timothy can probably go home Sunday if nothing "grows" and his temperature is down. He received a treatment under a tent today that will take the place of him being on a prophalactic antiobiotic. Sorry I don't remember the name of the treatment. But Timothy should have this done once a month. It was last done when we went into the hospital for his transfusion on 7/31. The next date this should have been done (8/31) slipped by me and by the Clinic. I have marked our calendar so this doesn't happen again. Thank you for praying. Love, Ginny
Sunday 9/17/00 - Timothy could not come home today because his temp. was 101 yesterday. He needs to go 24 hours without a temp. to come home. Hopefully tomorrow. The sinus Cat Scan did not show anything significant - he does have some cysts in the maxillary region of the sinuses, but the doctor says this should not be a problem. Although no infection could be seen, they started Timothy on an additional antibiotic today that is good to clear sinus problems "just in case". Timothy is anxious to get home. He knows he'll be returning a week from tomorrow to the hospital for Chemo. The good news is Timothy has not thrown up in 3 days! Please keep praying for his appetite to return as well. He's at 69 lbs. Love, Ginny