Yesterday (Tuesday April 17th) was Atticus' first dose of his 2nd round of Chemotherapy. It did not go well. We gave him Zofran about 15 minutes before, gave him his Bactrum, Prevocid, Decodron, and then his applesauce (with the Temodar -chemo) mixed in....
Side note: it is getting harder and harder to get Atticus to take his meds. The poor guys is just so sick of it and they all taste awful. So adding two more in to the mix wasn't a good thing.
We finally convinced him that he really did need to eat the applesauce. He took one bite, started to cry, and said he was going to throw up. And he did. Multiple times. I cleaned him up, calmed him down, and to our surprise got him to take the rest of it (we mix it in a very small amount so that he only has to take 3 or 4 bites). I got him tucked in bed. Read stories sang songs and we turned out the light. It was my night to sleep with him. At 11:30pm he woke up saying he was going to throw up. I carried him to the bathroom and he threw up again. Multiple times. I got him cleaned up and we went back to bed. We repeated this cycle at 12am 12:15am 12:45am 1:06am and again at 1:30am. His little body was shaking. I called the on-call doctor and was adviced to give him another dose of Zofran and to call back if he vomits again. At 2am, he threw up. I went to the kitchen to get tylenol, his head was hurting him (go figure) but when I came back he was asleep. I layed back down next to him and fell asleep too. He woke up about every 20 minutes after that in tears saying that his tummy and head hurt but he refused to take anything, so we just snuggled and I rubbed his tummy.
Isaac of course woke up early that morning, 6:40am so I got him up and fed him breakfast. Then when the Trevino family woke up chunk and I went to get donuts with them to eat at the park so that Atticus and Eric could stay asleep. He stayed restless-asleep until 9am. Still feeling awful and still in tears.
When Atticus was first diagnosed, Eric and I decided that it was about quality not quantity and that we didn't want to do anything that would cause Atticus pain and suffering. We realize it was just his first night but there is no way we would allow Atticus to carry on like this. He was absolutely miserable. It is so incredibly heart breaking to see him so sad and upset.
I made an appointment for 1:30pm today with Dr. Lenarsky, our absolute favorite Oncology Dr. We were late becuase Atticus had to throw up again. We asked a lot of questions and were given a lot to think about; Things we need to sort through before I write about them. But for now, here's the game plan: get Atticus off ALL medications except the Decodron (steroid) and Prevacid (for nausea). Right now his poor little body is a mess with all these medications and we need to "cleanse" his system to figure out what is going on. Dr. Lenarsky didn't feel like his symptoms are due to the tumor growing but of course isn't sure and we have no idea of knowing without and MRI.
Labs were done and it was decided that Atticus needed IV fluids and IV Zofran. So that's what we did. He was such a good brave and patient boy! We got to watch cartoons and Dr. Lenarsky took him to the secret room where he picked out a race pack of course, so that helped a little! I got him to eat ONE saltine cracker... literally the only thing he had eaten up until that point (well he did have one bite of lunch before we left for the doctors but he threw it up).
We will keep him on just the Decodron and Prevacid for one week then slowly introduce the chemo again. We are also going to switch his Bactrim. Right now its Monday Tuesday and Wednesday twice a day. We are going to change it to a once a month hospitial visit where we will stay for a few hours while he breaths the medication in through a mask. We're hoping this once a month trip will go a little better for him... one less daily medication to take. It will be like his Darth Vader mask :)
Watching Clifford and eating a saltine!!
The IV fluids and meds helped him a lot. Shortly after we got home from the hospital Atticus was starting to feel better and by the end of the day had eaten a decent amount of dinner and was getting back to his chipper self! Eric and I are sooo relieved. Fingers crossed he gets a good nights sleep and has an even better day tomorrow!
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers... keep 'em coming!
xoxo, Cindy
12 comments:
Oh, poor Atticus...and poor you! I was so hoping that with how well this has been going that you all would continue to have success with everything else. :( I hope the new plan for Atticus brings some relief for everyone - all that vomiting and sleeplessness sounds horrible. Atticus' resilience just amazes me. I don't think any of my kids could be as strong as he's been!
Ohh Cindy you are awesome! Atticus is such a strong boy and he learns it from his parents! I'm so sorry for the awful day and I pray for you and Eric in the days ahead as you have to reevaluate that you'll feel the Spirit direct you. You are all in our prayers constantly. We think about the Hansen family all the time. I know you would never in a million years choose to be in this situation but you are handeling it so well (even on the worst days!) The Lord knows who Atti is but he also knows who Cindy and Eric are. He knows that you are the perfect parents for Atticus and can do these hard things. I love you Cind more than words can say!!
I sure hope he gets to feeling better. I can only imagine how hard this is on all of you. Prayers are being sent your way.
It makes me sad to hear that Atticus is having such a hard time with all the medications. Nothing is worse than seeing your baby sick or in pain. We will be praying for your family and for the decisions you have to make. You guys are amazing. Hang in there!
It breaks my heart to see him so sick and to hear how awful your night was. He is such a strong boy. He amazes me. So do you and Eric. I know you will make the decisions that are best for him and that bring you peace. I pray yesterday (and today) was a better day and that you are able to have a wonderful time with your family this weekend. I am always thinking of you, always praying for you, always. Love you. A lot.
You don't know me but I pray for your family every day. We live "down the street" in forney and are in the forney ward. My heart aches and is filled with joy at the same time in practically every blog post. This one really stood out because I can only imagine how tired you are. I have a son with his own share f health problems and I know those nights of no sleep and needing to comfort hm. I wish tht I could com and help so you can get some sleep... But I know how boys loooove their mamas. I will pray for your strength instead. I will pray that on those difficult nights you will feel the presence of angels supporting you so you can stay awake with your sweet boy. Thank you of sharing your journey of faith. You are so beautiful.
I found your blog through Adrienne Forshee. Your son Atticus really touched my heart and even though you don't know me I wanted to express my heartfelt love for your family. Thank you for sharing his story. All my best.
Quinn
My good friend who had a 2 year old battle leukemia said her single most important partner in her sons cancer journey was the Holy Ghost. She refused medication and treatment when she knew it wasn't in his best interest in spite of what the doctors said. She said she learned more about personal revelation during those 3 years than in the rest of her life combined.
I can't imagine how hard this is for you, especially knowing your time with Atticus is limited. I have been following Atticus' story since it was posted on baby center, of course I am praying for a miracle that his tumor goes away and you have a LONG time with him. I just want to give you the biggest hug and to have a good cry with you and to see that amazing boy of yours.
I think about you and your family everyday. You are such a strong mother, wife and friend. Your ability to look to God in such a hard time is insperational. We will continue the prayers for Atticus and your family.
You don't know me, I follow your blog from someone off BBC, but know that people in Indiana are praying for you Atticus!! May you all find peace in the comfort of the lord's arms through your journey.
I came across you blog by accident but find myself checking to see how Atticus & your sweet family is doing often. You are amazing. Continue to fight! And thank you for sharing your journey.
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