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This long update on Kyle came last night. I'm following my DH's lead and staying positive. Thank you for your continuing prayers.
Hello everyone.
Today Kyle had his ultra sound and chest X-ray. These were to check to make sure nothing was growing inside that was not supposed to be there. Both test came back clear! So that is a blessing.
Kyle's weight is exactly the same as last week and the week before. They are not worried about this at all, as long as he does not start losing a lot of weight. I would like him to gain about another pound. He is not scrawny but he could definitely use some extra meat on him.
Now the not-as-good... Kyle did not get his chemo treatment today. His ANC, which is a calculation based on his white blood cell count, was too low. The chemo drugs will cause this to happen. This is just the first time we have seen his numbers drastically change. I can explain this all later or you can look up childhood chemo white blood cell counts for a more scientific explanation. Looking back through his treatment so far, his ANC started at 3048 before chemo started. Two weeks ago it was 1840. Last week it was 728. Today it was 525. Below 500 puts him into "highest" threat for infection, meaning he is highly susceptible to getting sick and if he were to get sick, he would have a much harder time recovering. He has been very healthy and running around like normal every day. It was a shock to us to see his numbers so low, but we are not surprised that he is going against what "normal" symptoms look like because he has handled pain and discomfort so well. What this translates to is that Kyle's treatment plan will be pushed back one week. He will get his drugs he should have received today, next week, if his numbers improve. Also, he will not take his dose of anti-infection medicine this coming weekend as he normally does. I'm not sure why, but they were pretty firm about that.
So we will wait through this week and pray for his numbers to improve and for him to stay healthy.
Today, Kyle did awesome for the ultrasound, chest x-ray, and when they accessed his port (putting in the needle). We were blessed to have Camp Rainbow volunteers at the clinic today, so Kyle was able to do some crafts while we were waiting for his blood test results. It was a wonderful distraction instead of just watching TV. After we found out he would not get chemo, the nurse went to remove his port. Kyle kind of freaked out. It was odd, but not the first time it has happened. It is always hard when he gets upset with something they need to do, but especially when the result of what they want to do is that we get to go home. As soon as the nurse was done, Kyle said "Oh, that not bad." but of course, it still makes me feel horrible that he has lost trust in me and the staff that when we say it won't hurt, it won't actually hurt. It is a minor thing but not particularly fun. Overall he was great with everything today. He never gets upset at the idea of going to the doctor or walking in the hospital, so that has been great.
My novel is now over. We will keep everyone informed about his progress through this week. Like I said, he is acting happy and normal, so we will be watching for changes and/or fevers. We wish everyone a great week!