Each Day - A Little Easier

7/19/2011:  8:00 AM

davis and nurse annakate

What a difference a day makes!  Davis is feeling considerably better (at least by my standards). He is sleeping soundly, and although the tummy ache is always there, it is tolerable. He doesn't fight us as much when it comes to taking his medication, but he isn't necessarily compliant either. But it does seem that each day is getting better.



Yesterday, we noticed quite a large lump to the left of the spot where he had his last spinal tap.  We called the hemo/oncologist clinic out of concern.  They were not concerned. We do have to keep an eye on certain symptoms: redness around lump, hot to the touch, fever, pain. He is not exhibiting any of these symptoms, so they reassured us not to worry.  They plan on checking it out when Davis gets his chemo on Friday.



the appetite is back



Today, Davis is going to SBLHC to get some blood drawn.  Sarah Bush will run a CBC count on his blood and call it over to St. Louis.  St. Louis will call us with the results today or tomorrow. If his red blood cells or platelets are low, we will head over to St. Louis for a transfusion.  I can't imagine that being the case, because Davis looks pretty good to me.

We are still going to great lengths to keep Davis safe from as many germs as possible.  Lysol is my new best friend.  We also have a new habit of showering after visits around bunches of people (church, Wal-Mart, etc.). Laundry has really increased too.

Speaking of increases . . . Davis's appetite. Despite having an upset stomach, this kid eats all of the time. I can't really get him to eat sweets or fruits; he craves heavy, sodium-filled foods. He is eating cheesy mashed potatoes covered in pepper for breakfast. At midnight last night, he ate two pieces of Canadian bacon pizza. Of course, Annakate doesn't like or want anything that he is craving, so we eat different meals. I am a bit surprised that despite eating food now, he is terribly thin. He is practically skin and bones. The mother in me just wants to fatten him up



cartoon tuesday



Davis's spirits are improving and his anxiety is decreasing. He still continues to receive a great deal of cards and texts full of concern and encouragement. My Oakland family helped his spirits quite a bit yesterday. My friend Marla, a cancer survivor with whom I work, wrote Davis a really touching letter.  She reminded him that cancer is not the "Big C"; it is a little c because we put our trust in Christ, who is the "Big C".  Nearly every day before school last year, Davis, Annakate, and I would pray for Marla and Pam (another Oakland cancer survivor), and now these ladies are praying for and encouraging him. The Meyer family stopped by (well, just the Meyer ladies) and brought us a spaghetti meal, which will be lunch today. Davis can't wait. 

We continue to thank you all for all that you do.  We are still praying and believing for complete remission forever at the end of induction. We also ask that you continue to pray for his strength. He is doing comparatively better than most children at this stage, so we know the prayers are working. We are praying against side effects as well.  It seems Davis just starts feeling better, and then he is pumped full of more chemo.  We love and appreciate your support, encouragement, and prayers.

We will keep you posted.