Dallas Day Trip
Updates on Jack
Rob, Jack and I went to Dallas yesterday to learn about the chemotherapy and the types of medicines they will use. The oncologist spent alot of time with us, showed us Jack's previous mri's, talked about the chemotherapy which will start next Thursday or Friday, the first week of August, here in Abilene for sure!!! That will make things so much easier for us to not have to drive back and forth once a week to Dallas.
The course of the chemotherapy will last 70 weeks, one year and 4 months.
Jack did great with his blood draws yesterday, the nurse was going to put the emla cream on his arms to numb them for the blood draw, and I said he loves the emla but does not like the sticky tape that you put over the emla to keep it in place for the hour it needs to anesthitize the skin. The nurse said not a problem, we have some nonstick tape, what she used was that press and seal saran wrap!!!! This is such good news for us, because now I can buy this wrap and have it for when Jack will get his chemo, I can cover the emla cream with press and seal, and there is no pain when I pull it off.
Jack also learned about his medi-port surgery on this trip. I was clueless how to explain to him what a port was and did, maybe because I didn't know myself. The child life specialist, Ashleigh, was called down to talk with Jack and she showed him her doll, a boy doll, that had a port. Jack was able to see what it will look like, and touch it. She read a book to him about a little girl who got a port, and gave us the book to take home, along with many other child friendly resources for chemotherapy. The port is completely under his skin, so they access it with a needle, but when the emla cream is used there is not pain. He can get his chemo and blood draws through the port. Jack can swim with his port, which is a big deal for him, he loves the swim club, and do normal stuff, just no contact sports.
The side effects of the types of medicines Jack will be on are the typical ones we think about when we think about chemotherapy, nausea, vomiting and hair loss. A couple of months ago Rob told me he wanted to shave his (Rob's) head, so he might get a good reason to within the next couple of weeks, he and Jack can be twins. Derek would probably do it to if I let him.
We had a trip to padre island planned, but have had to cancel that, so we are vacationing at the Ambassador Suites here in Abilene a little bit this weekend. The kids love going to hotels, they are always asking when we can stay at another one, so we are looking forward to taking a vacation here in Abilene.
Keep Jack in your prayers for his surgery this Tuesday, thanks for keeping up with us.
Tammy
Rob, Jack and I went to Dallas yesterday to learn about the chemotherapy and the types of medicines they will use. The oncologist spent alot of time with us, showed us Jack's previous mri's, talked about the chemotherapy which will start next Thursday or Friday, the first week of August, here in Abilene for sure!!! That will make things so much easier for us to not have to drive back and forth once a week to Dallas.
The course of the chemotherapy will last 70 weeks, one year and 4 months.
Jack did great with his blood draws yesterday, the nurse was going to put the emla cream on his arms to numb them for the blood draw, and I said he loves the emla but does not like the sticky tape that you put over the emla to keep it in place for the hour it needs to anesthitize the skin. The nurse said not a problem, we have some nonstick tape, what she used was that press and seal saran wrap!!!! This is such good news for us, because now I can buy this wrap and have it for when Jack will get his chemo, I can cover the emla cream with press and seal, and there is no pain when I pull it off.
Jack also learned about his medi-port surgery on this trip. I was clueless how to explain to him what a port was and did, maybe because I didn't know myself. The child life specialist, Ashleigh, was called down to talk with Jack and she showed him her doll, a boy doll, that had a port. Jack was able to see what it will look like, and touch it. She read a book to him about a little girl who got a port, and gave us the book to take home, along with many other child friendly resources for chemotherapy. The port is completely under his skin, so they access it with a needle, but when the emla cream is used there is not pain. He can get his chemo and blood draws through the port. Jack can swim with his port, which is a big deal for him, he loves the swim club, and do normal stuff, just no contact sports.
The side effects of the types of medicines Jack will be on are the typical ones we think about when we think about chemotherapy, nausea, vomiting and hair loss. A couple of months ago Rob told me he wanted to shave his (Rob's) head, so he might get a good reason to within the next couple of weeks, he and Jack can be twins. Derek would probably do it to if I let him.
We had a trip to padre island planned, but have had to cancel that, so we are vacationing at the Ambassador Suites here in Abilene a little bit this weekend. The kids love going to hotels, they are always asking when we can stay at another one, so we are looking forward to taking a vacation here in Abilene.
Keep Jack in your prayers for his surgery this Tuesday, thanks for keeping up with us.
Tammy
Comments
Thank you for continuing to share your journey. It is obvious that God is putting the caregivers you need in your path. And you sound like HE is giving you a sense of peace in the midst of this storm.
I am impressed with your efforts to still "have fun" even if it is in Abilene! Enjoy your weekend. We keep you in our prayers!
Love,
Carole Houston
on Jack. Our thoughts and prayers
will be with Jack and all of you during this transitional period.
Were happy to hear that Jack will be able to continue participating
in the swim club. Miss and love all of you!
The Roodes
Always precious in His sight
Care and comfort in His hands
Keep on shining your light
Love,
Tracy
M.C. there are bracelets left, Jack's pediatrician Dr. Elvira Garcia, located in the Medical Mall on Antilley Rd., is selling them in her office. My sister in law sent us the rest that were left over and Dr. Garcia volunteered to place them in her office. I think that there are about 30-40 left, mainly the medium size.
Thanks for asking.
Love, Tammy
Thank you again and again for keeping us informed-- of both your hard news and your encouragement, and just details of it all. I hope that communication helps you as much as it does us.
Love, Gay
Rene