They did draw labs before taking out the line yesterday: WBC 4.4, Hgb 9.7, Platelets 156, Creatinine .6, ANC 1.5.
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| LINELESS! | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hi everyone, | ||||||||||||||||||
| Yes, it's true! Travis' central line was taken out yesterday! The scheduling came about rather quickly, which was just as well, as we were all a bit anxious about this big milestone. We had a little ritual celebration in the morning, as Travis flushed his own line, the last home flush before we hopefully never have to do it again. It was so sweet, he was so careful, so confident and so proud to be doing this self-care (with close guidance by Joe and me!). Probably Joe's and my biggest concern over the whole deal was the "no solid food after midnight rule" for Travis. And the surgery was to take place at 2: 45 pm. Only Jello, apple juice and popsicles until 11:30, then nothing by mouth. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Actually, with the distraction of videos, Game Boy, Sega and Nintendo, he seemed to do better than expected with this. I think, too, that my poor sweetheart was SO worried about the procedure, he wasn't thinking much about eating. They put him out with general anesthesia (as hindsight though, I'd recommend the "relaxing drug" beforehand, which he declined) and the Retina specialist checked his eyes very thoroughly for any CMV activity, and as thankfully there was none, they proceeded to "pull the line". (This is the phrase they use ? to which I objected. Imagine a child's reaction to that vivid description. Feedback was well taken.) Apparently a simple enough procedure, and just a small gauze bandage which stays on for 2 days. Then showers again. (FINALLY Travis' neck will get clean ? those makeshift just don't cut it!) AND in a few more days after that, SWIMMING! I just can't believe it. | ||||||||||||||||||
| One thing that took us, and especially Travis, by surprise was that he awoke with an IV in his arm! After all this and now waking up with IV fluids! He was so nervous about having the IV taken out that he didn't seem to complain about any pain from the CVL Line exit site. Anyway, after about 3 hours of sleeping in the post-surgery room, they finally took the IV out ? no pain. After keeping a popsicle down, he was released ? at 7:30 p.m. for the drive home. And, true to Travis form, a quick "yarp" in the car as we got our drive through McDonald's Happy Meals for the boys ? then into the restaurant to finish his food! Travis is the only one I know who can "toss his cookies" and then one minute later, eat his meal. (-: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Man, this milestone is SUCH a big one for us. As Travis was trying to relax post-op, he had me sing softly to him. Joe and Spencer had gone for a bite to eat. Travis drifted off to sleep and suddenly it hit me like a huge wave ? the old feelings I'd had when we were in his HOT Unit room day after day, quietly cuddling and helping him feel safe, and distracted from fear and discomfort. I thought of how far we'd come since sitting scared witless in the local hospital conference room with the new-to-us Oncologist and heard "your son has cancer". Oh man. Travis slept. I cried. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Travis hasn't been quite as ecstatic as one would perhaps think. Talk about putting yourself in his shoes ? we're thinking "great milestone". He's thinking, "How the hell (my word) are they going to draw my blood for labs now? And what if I do need to get IV meds again?" He knows how ? needles in the arm. Unfortunately, Travis worries BIG TIME about getting "pokes", and the anxiety is much worse than the actual poke when he gets them. So we'll be working on how to help him quell some of that anxiety. (Then I have to figure out how to do the same!) We'll find out how it goes in 2 weeks at the next clinic/eye dr. visit. And, we'll definitely prime him with EMLA numbing cream on both arms beforehand. They did draw labs before taking out the line yesterday: WBC 4.4, Hgb 9.7, Platelets 156, Creatinine .6, ANC 1.5. |
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| A quick, but related side note. This past week my Grandmother, Hattie (Meema) Goldish passed away. She was a true matriarch of our family -- a spirited woman from whom I learned alot and who lived a LONG (I'll respect her wishes for not revealing her age -- but it was a biggie), LONG life. We will miss her. Truth be told, at the graveside, I was struck like a thunderbolt -- this could have been my Travis. It cut through me, I whispered it to my Mom and then it was gone -- mostly. Travis' turn ISN'T now. It was Meema's turn. We'll miss her and honor her memory. She was truly amazing. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Two other pieces of news -- good news. This one is a mile marker that Travis is THRILLED about. School starts tomorrow for him! We spent tonight labeling all his school supplies, talking about "no sharing snacks and juice boxes!", how to respond if kids ask "aren't you the kid that was sick last year?" and how cool it is to be in First Grade. Wow ? I just can't believe we're really made it to this point. Last note re: school ? the principal of Whiteley School arranged a meeting with us last week to prepare for Travis' entry into school. We were SO impressed at the attendance and attention to making sure Travis' and the school's needs were met. The principal, assistant principal, nurse, assistant nurse, school social worker and Travis' teacher were all there for about 45 minutes of discussion. We are so lucky, gulp, we're here. | ||||||||||||||||||
| And now, for what has practically become a weekly new marrow donor update! Yes, believe it or not, I got a voicemail from another wonderful colleague who registered at Pecos River's (my company) bone marrow drive -- another ABDR drive ? and yes, he's a 6/6 match for a gentleman in need of a transplant! Yup, tears and chills at that message. He's having the additional blood work done we'll see. Another incredible, willing hero. Of all these people, much takes place to see if they'll actually go to marrow donation. But still, it gives us so much hope and inspiration. I always said that this happening to us was so "huge" ? that it must have both immense life implications and that it must be happening for some bigger reason. How true that's turning out to be. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three cheers to sending Travis off to school tomorrow ? NO flushes, NO IV meds, NO dressing changes ? just 2 oral meds and a brush and swish (and a huge hug and kiss). Joe and I keep saying, "What are we forgetting? This seems too easy!" We're more than cautiously optimistic right now. We're positively hopeful. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hugs, health and happiness to you, | ||||||||||||||||||
| Melanie, Joe, Travis the Firstgrader and Spencer the Kindergardener | ||||||||||||||||||
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