Emergency Room Visit

After a continued high fever this afternoon, Jace had to make an emergency visit to his local doctor and go to Madison Memorial Hospital for a blood draw and dose of antibiotics. I guess this is a normal part of the process, but Jace was pretty upset that he had to start over so soon after his Salt Lake hospital trip.  We received quick and efficient care at both places, and we have two more favorite nurses to add to the list. Jace came home accessed, which means his Port has a needle in it with a tube taped to his chest. He will receive another dose of antibiotics in the morning, and we will know if his fever is due to an infection, or the result of his discontinued steroid meds.

The good news is, Hayden came to the emergency room after school and escorted us all home to celebrate HIS birthday. What a trooper. Happy 11th, Hayden. We love you.

One Month Down

I’ve been rubbing Jace’s tummy off and on for the last 18 hours. He needs me to stay by him, and last night we sang Primary songs again. He came home from the hospital weak and sad. Instead of his favorite place on the couch, he went straight for the bed. We had a hard time getting him up to greet friends in the living room, and although he was sweet, as soon as they left he went straight for the bed again. His eyes are closed and he acts asleep, but if I ask him quietly if he’s ok, he nods slightly, and remains still. The procedures (Lumbar Puncture and Bone Marrow Biopsy) were particularly hard on him yesterday, but this is actually supposed to be a pretty good week, as he will receive a break from most meds. His numbers were great for a child enduring chemotherapy, and his prognosis is bright.

The happy news of the day is we finished the Induction Phase of treatment! This means, we have made it one month. I’ve been working on my, “Yay we finished one month” dance, but Jace thinks it still needs work. You should see him with his puffy cheeks, quietly giggle at his goofy mom. His treatment will change now, but he will still receive chemo every day. Matt and I will administer the oral medicine here at home. He will receive Lumbar Punctures (chemo in the spinal fluid) on day 0, 8, and 15, and he will continue to receive Vincristine weekly through his Port. (Day 0 starts on October 20th). Jace will discontinue his steroid medicine until again later in his treatment, so his cheeks will stop growing for now, and his acne will hopefully clear. He is very excited for this.

Jace continues to be a sweet boy despite his pain. He is particularly sweet to his toddler cousins and friends. Whenever one of the babies comes to visit, he elevates his voice and speaks directly to the child in a sweet tone. I also feel the spirit of angels around him every time I hold him. Yesterday in the hospital as he was awaking from the anesthesia in tears, I imagined several great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers there with us coaxing him with comfort and peace. In addition to feeling the angels from the other side, we continue to receive strength from the angels here with us. We love you and appreciate your sweet prayers.

We will be having a B.Y.O.C. party here at our home tomorrow night (Bring Your Own Clippers). Jace’s hair is thinning and patchy, so he wants to shave it. Hayden and Matt are going to join in the fun, but Jace gave me specific instructions that he doesn’t want me involved. Apparently he doesn’t think looking at me without hair every day would do anything positive for his treatment. I tend to agree.