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Day -2 -- Radiation OK
Dear Everyone,
It's 7:45 am and we've made it through the first radiation treatment.
Why am I still surprised at Travis' calm during these procedures? He continues
to amaze me! We woke him so early, and he was groggy and scared... not knowing
what the procedure would be like. Just the word Radiation makes me so nervous.
So after the long walk (Travis riding in a wheelchair) to the bowels
of the next hospital, through tunnels and elevators, we arrived. Travis
stood SO still during all the X-Rays and then the 3 minute per side loud
buzzing of radiation. He was SO good. We couldn't be in the room with him,
but he knew we were watching him on a TV monitor, and we could talk through
the intercom with encouragement. I couldn't help the tears as I watched
him so still on the screen, all taped and strapped in to the little standing
area. But truly, it was more disturbing to Joe and me than it was for Travis.
More life lessons... They didn't have anything for him to be looking at
(but the damn wall -- think they'd know better -- so we taped the Winnie
the Pooh tape box cover to the wall (as we did bring a tape for him to listen
to) and that helped him focus. At the next treatment, we're bringing one
of Deb Fell's WONDERFUL custom pictures (at Travis' request -- THANK YOU,
DEB) -- a this one a colorful drawing of Travis and Spencer working on Rainbow
Laptop! We'll brighten up this scary place yet!
We go back for more at 11:30 am and then again at 3:30 pm, and the same
for the next 2 days. They say he'll be getting really tired (no surprise
-- up several times during the night to go to the bathroom, then up early
and all these procedures), so we're going to try to nap in between (all
three of us!). First, pills, mouth swish, a bit of Nintendo and computer
games. THEN nap.
Yesterday we were allowed to leave on Pass for 6 hours (after taking
2 hours to remove the pesky catheter. Had problems with that -- again, Travis
was amazingly patient and calm.) and Travis chose to go to the Ronald McDonald
House. We were very silly and had a good time, though Travis went into a
deep funk for a brief period realizing this was only brief freedom. But
more silliness got rid of that (locking up Joe with our Carabiners around
the house!). Then Travis had us videotape him giving a guided tour of the
house for his Kindergarten class back home. It's precious!! Will add a hospital
segment before we send it out. Then McDonald's dinner (!) and back to the
hospital and our new room in isolation.
We have to clean everything that comes in this room from now on (with
antimicrobial cleaner, or newly wash all his clothes). Anything that drops
on the floor has to be recleaned... We can wear our normal clothes, but
of course, wash hands EVERY time we enter the room, eat, bathroom, etc.
Travis can get up and walk around in the room -- just can't leave (except
for radiation) because his system will now be too vulnerable to germs. The
room is about 10x22" and a bit wider at one point. Has a bathroom for
Travis to use, shelves, and drawers, TV, Video, etc. A single bed for Joe
or me each night in the room.
I have to run... Travis is HUNGRY!!! Yay!!! Love from us,
Melanie |