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A More Encouraging Day � Hi everyone, The last 2 days has been such a blur (or should I say fog?). Yesterday the doctor decided that we needed access to two lumens in Travis' central line, and the current one (with one lumen plugged) was not cutting it. Travis spent about 2 hours in the most excruciatingly scared state I have ever seen him in. He had the shakes, was crying and asked endless questions about what it would feel like, what would happen to the old line, old "hole", what if he had to pee, etc. Poor thing. I felt SO helpless, but just kept reassuring him.

Surgery went relatively well. He was so anxious, it took them quite awhile to sedate him, and with the constant need to pee, it interrupted the prep quite a bit. Nonetheless, all went well, under the evident loving care of this wonderful doctor. She was so patient and deeply caring with Travis. I could have hugged her. So Travis' old line is out (with a small bandage to let the old site heal closed), and on the other side of his chest he now has a brand spanking, new line that works like a charm -- two larger lumens (no more "My, what little lumens. Why does he have that?"). He has two bandages on that side, with one over the line's exit site in his chest and one where they inserted it -- higher in his neck. Believe it or not, it's the little neck site that is giving him A LOT of pain. After the surgery, this little boy was MISERABLE! He is drugged up with a lot of painkilling medicine (now morphine, since through the pharma episode, it became evident that he isn't allergic to morphine after all), so that made his day more tolerable today. After the surgery, he then had a CT scan for his kidneys, X Ray's and an EKG. Almost more than I could take, first waiting through surgery, then his discomfort (peeing needs) while coming awake during all the other procedures. Enough was enough.

But here's the GOOD news -- With pain meds, he's feeling several "steps" better today, though still very uncomfortable. Not acute pain now, at least. Still peeing all the time (back forth back forth), day and night (sometimes in the bed, causing lots of sleepy bed changes and clothing changes). But not any pain associated with that (good drugs). The docs now think he has Cystitis and/or an infection, likely viral -- in his bladder (not the blood clot, originally thought, and not hemorrhagic cystitis, as no more blood in his urine). Kidneys good. Just bladder and below a problem for now. But seems to be getting better.

Other good news -- actually GREAT news. The PCR test that detects the presence or absence of Philadelphia Chromosome (indicates cancer presence with his type of leukemia) showed NEGATIVE!!!!! Hooray!!! This was the Day +75 test, as the Day +60 one had to be redone. This is big news, folks. The little remaining cancer cells no longer show up. He's shows less than one in a million, which equals Negative. Doesn't mean it can't come back, but it means it's NOT back now, and the marrow is creating healthy cells and fighting any remaining leukemia cells and winning. Also, Travis' latest CMV virus test showed that the activity has been beaten back to zero. He's still CMV positive, but shows no active virus for that. Whew! Now just can't wait till he feels like running laps again.

Life is hectic, as you can imagine. My parents took the magic CARpet here and arrived yesterday, as Joe and I were coming unglued. We were so sleep deprived and SO worried with the new complications. My folks have already been a huge help. Especially since I've been making commitments now with work (had to make a decision on going back) and with all this, was already feeling pulled. Now, I can have much more flexibility about being with Travis or Spencer, working, napping and even traveling (which unfortunately, will be coming up for work soon). My company and clients have been absolutely stellar throughout all this -- completely and utterly supportive. But even they can't wait forever -- even for me! (-: So, it means much creative use of time and a great deal of multitasking at it's best. But, my energy is up, believe it or not (after a few naps), from the work. I guess an energizing distraction -- it is very fulfilling work. Joe is with Travis tonight at the hospital. Being run ragged with the constant potty needs. But otherwise is so relieved to be in a better place today. Spencer is still having his ups and downs, but on the whole, has been having a lot of fun with new friends and enjoying outings (mostly with Joe). Tomorrow night, I'm taking him to services here (Joe did last Friday night at home). Spencer jumped at the chance when I asked him. And Saturday, he and I will have a real date.

So, we're glued back together, for the time being. Hope it's super glue, so we never go through the terribly difficult time we did these last few days.

Could the worst be behind us? We hope so. More soon.

Love,

Melanie

P.S. As a betting' gal, I think I could safely say we're up here through the first of the year. Will hope for a pleasant surprise, though.

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