Science Kit
Jack had chemo and an oncologist visit today. We met with Dr. Bowman this morning right after Jack's class Christmas Party was over.
Jack had a fun time at his Christmas Party. He ate plenty of snacks and made an ornament, then a puzzle exchange. I was glad that he was able to attend, I was able to be there and enjoy it with him. One of Jack's friends in his class had told his mom that he wanted a science kit for Christmas. A couple of days later he explained the reason he wanted the kit was so he could make a medicine that would heal Jack. His friend told me that today at the party and I was choking back the tears. The sweetness of children is overwhelming. It seems like the kids that know Jack, love Jack. They are so encouraging and they really look out for him. The kids that don't know him, that just see him walking by aren't always so sweet. Jack has had a couple of incidents in the last week where kids his age have made fun of his bald head. He wants to grow his hair back out again, and I think it might be thick enough to try. We have always let Jack decide about his hair. If I was in Jack's position I would probably be in tears over the teasing. Jack seems to just internalize it and maybe days later he might say something to me about it. Those are the times I want to just keep him home and protect him from the hurts, but he definately wouldn't go for that. I try the best I can to help him work through all that muck and mire.
The other two kids had their Christmas Parties today also. Elaine (Rob's mom) went to Sophie's, and Elaine's husband Tom went to Derek's. I am glad each of them had a family member. Rob is inundated at work right now so he just worked, worked, and worked today. That is what happens at a bakery during the holidays.
When we met with Dr. Bowman I told him that Jack's balance has been way off lately. It seems like he falls atleast 5 or 6 times a day now. Dr. Bowman checked his eyes real good and they didn't show any difference in the tumor growth so that was good to hear. When you look into the back of the eye with one of those little light instruments if the optic nerve bows out it shows pressure in the brain, that is how Dr. Bowman can check on brain pressure. He assumes it is the chemo drugs. Overall though he thought Jack's hand-eye coordination was good and the rest of the tests didn't show anything overall that was disconcerting to him. One of the tests Jack has to do is walk toe to toe, with his arms out. He pretty much can't do that one at all, but that is definately a side effect of the chemo. I am thankful that Dr. Bowman thought Jack was doing well. Somedays more than others I am sad to see the effects of the tumor/chemo and today was one of those days.
Chemo went well. It was great to see Derek, Jack's chemo friend back from his 3 week stay at Cook's. He has a one week break at home then back to Cook's for more tough procedures. Jack's counts were 2300, so they are staying strong.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for the kids, then Christmas break. Woo-hoo. Next week we have Chemo on Wednesday so Nurse Sara can get a head start on her Christmas holiday. We have Jack's next MRI on January 8th in Dallas. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Love, Tammy
Jack had a fun time at his Christmas Party. He ate plenty of snacks and made an ornament, then a puzzle exchange. I was glad that he was able to attend, I was able to be there and enjoy it with him. One of Jack's friends in his class had told his mom that he wanted a science kit for Christmas. A couple of days later he explained the reason he wanted the kit was so he could make a medicine that would heal Jack. His friend told me that today at the party and I was choking back the tears. The sweetness of children is overwhelming. It seems like the kids that know Jack, love Jack. They are so encouraging and they really look out for him. The kids that don't know him, that just see him walking by aren't always so sweet. Jack has had a couple of incidents in the last week where kids his age have made fun of his bald head. He wants to grow his hair back out again, and I think it might be thick enough to try. We have always let Jack decide about his hair. If I was in Jack's position I would probably be in tears over the teasing. Jack seems to just internalize it and maybe days later he might say something to me about it. Those are the times I want to just keep him home and protect him from the hurts, but he definately wouldn't go for that. I try the best I can to help him work through all that muck and mire.
The other two kids had their Christmas Parties today also. Elaine (Rob's mom) went to Sophie's, and Elaine's husband Tom went to Derek's. I am glad each of them had a family member. Rob is inundated at work right now so he just worked, worked, and worked today. That is what happens at a bakery during the holidays.
When we met with Dr. Bowman I told him that Jack's balance has been way off lately. It seems like he falls atleast 5 or 6 times a day now. Dr. Bowman checked his eyes real good and they didn't show any difference in the tumor growth so that was good to hear. When you look into the back of the eye with one of those little light instruments if the optic nerve bows out it shows pressure in the brain, that is how Dr. Bowman can check on brain pressure. He assumes it is the chemo drugs. Overall though he thought Jack's hand-eye coordination was good and the rest of the tests didn't show anything overall that was disconcerting to him. One of the tests Jack has to do is walk toe to toe, with his arms out. He pretty much can't do that one at all, but that is definately a side effect of the chemo. I am thankful that Dr. Bowman thought Jack was doing well. Somedays more than others I am sad to see the effects of the tumor/chemo and today was one of those days.
Chemo went well. It was great to see Derek, Jack's chemo friend back from his 3 week stay at Cook's. He has a one week break at home then back to Cook's for more tough procedures. Jack's counts were 2300, so they are staying strong.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for the kids, then Christmas break. Woo-hoo. Next week we have Chemo on Wednesday so Nurse Sara can get a head start on her Christmas holiday. We have Jack's next MRI on January 8th in Dallas. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Love, Tammy
Comments
Keep on pressing on.