Radiation Day 9

Feburary 3, 2012 Atticus woke up at 12:30 am for his "snack" so he was extra hungry this morning when he woke up. Poor guy. Thankfully we got him distracted by picking out which racers he wanted to bring to show Dr.Lenarsky. I did NOT like the Anethesiologist today. He had Atticus sit up, which is fine,(Eric took Atticus back most of this week and said that's how they have been doing it), but He didn't warn me when he started injecting the sedative and Atticus' head flopped back. So I brought his head to my chest. Then, He aggressively started tapping Atticus' shoulder saying, "Did it work? Are you out yet?" I was SO upset. SO. I came out crying and as soon as I walked through the waiting room doors (so yes the entire waiting room heard me) asked Eric what anethesiologist has Atticus has the last couple of days. Had him describe him to me. Then said, "We will NOT have today's guy again." And marched my madder than a hornet body to the reception desk. The cute Radiation nurse that we had the first week (the cute blond) was there. I calmed down a bit when I saw her. I asked her who the anethesiologist was this am? That the way he handled things was very upsetting to me (at this point I started to cry). That Atticus is only four and I expect the entire staff to be tender with him. That I DO NOT want him again. I had to step outside I was crying so hard. I don't care who you are or how much money you make, when you are taking care of MY ATTICUS you better be sweet and nice and tender. Period. Eric came out and once I was calmed we went back inside together. I told the cute nurse that I was sorry I got so emotional, some days are better than others. That he's just little and it breaks my heart. She was very sweet and said I had every right to be upset. Atticus keeps waking up faster and faster from sedation. I heard him crying down the hall so Eric and I ran to his room. The anethesiologist was in the room and I got a little nervous. Yes I was upset and back my concerns but I wanted Eric or the nurse to talk to him not me :). He was very nice, of course, and explained the way he does things. I appreciate him talking to me but still want the other Doctors to take care of Atticus. He did inform us that Atticus tends to obstruct when his radiation mask is in place. Meaning he snores and doesn't get as much oxygen as he should. Not a huge deal but they are using an "oral airway" to help him breath during sedation from now on. He said he documented it well so everyone will know the correct size but to always mention it before any future surgeries to be on the safe side. This "obstruction" is due to teh steroids. The cause everything to swell... tongue, tonsills, cheeks. Dang those wonderful/stupid steroids. We saw Dr. Lenarsky right after. No major concerns or changes to discuss. They coudln't get any blood from his port which can sometimes happen when left "accessed" for a lenght of time. The platlets are sticky and build up in the needle, allowing things in but not out. So they injected a medicine called "clot buster" to break down the build up. It was 11am by now and Atticus was so so hungry. Thankfully after major convincing from me Eric our cute nurse Amber and awesome Dr. Lenarsky Atticus gave in and was willing to eat at the dr's office! He is so funny about that. He DOES NOT like to eat there. It takes 30 minutes for the clot buster to work then they drew a CBC. All was well. Amber de-accessed him. He wanted to sit by himself while being de-accessed so he could tell Dr. Lenasrksy how brave he was! Once home, we fed his cute chubby face, raced cars, then he took a nap. This afternoon was Atticus' "play date" with Mrs. Cherry (his preschool teacher). He and daddy took a nap while I was sent on a mission to get flowers. Last week when Mrs. Cherry came, the first thing Atticus said after she left was, "I want to give her flowers next time she comes. Blue and yellow ones." Mrs. Cherry came at four and the fun began. She is amazing. Absolutely AMAZING. She is one of those teachers that will forever influence your and your childrens lives. For as long as I live here, my children will go to Mrs. Cherry. She came with all sorts of fabulous things: paints, stories, get well cards, but most importantly her addictive happy attitude. You can't help but be happy around her. Atticus was SO excited to see her and he immediately went to get out his "primary color" paints! They worked on "Starry Night"...

and on a Valentines Day project... and he painted his name.

Flowers for Mrs. Cherry