We knew there would be a cerebral palsy diagnosis down the track, but it wasn't official at the time.
At 13 months, Dexter wasn't sitting up without support. He wasn't able to hold spoons or cups, so he was fed everything. (He still needs support with eating and drinking.)
Dexter was carried everywhere.
When he started his chemotherapy treatments, Dexter's cerebral palsy was no longer our first priority. For a while, we had to focus on helping him survive. We had to kill the cancer cells inside his little body.
But still, Dexter needed to continue with his therapies. He needed to stay as strong as possible. With Dexter's cerebral palsy, if he doesn't use his muscles, they can quickly 'forget' what they have to do.
While he was in hospital, waiting for the chemotherapy drugs to drip into his body, he was sometimes able to do some exercises. During the four day rounds of chemotherapy, Dexter was usually pretty happy until the third day of chemotherapy. So, for as long as he could tolerate it, we could help him with sitting and moving his arms and legs. We could work on his rolling and his neck strength.
Dexter also spent time in his standing frame, learning to bear his weight and stand tall. On the sick days, Dexter couldn't do this - he just didn't have the strength.
He had stories read to him and was able to work on his vision.
Sometimes, Dexter was lying on his back when he vomited. He is non-verbal, so Dexter couldn't give any warning that he was about to vomit. He couldn't tell us he had vomited. And, with his cerebral palsy, Dexter couldn't move away from the vomit.
We had to keep a constant watch on him. If Dexter swallowed any vomit, he could choke. If he swallowed any, there was a chance it could be swallowed into his lungs. If this happened, Dexter would be facing aspiration pneumonia.
Dexter remained determined to show his strength and often wanted to stand - with support.
He was always wanting to try to sit and hold his weight.
It was almost as though he knew that, soon enough, cancer would not be the biggest concern anymore... It was like he knew that the more therapies he did, the stronger he would come back.
We do know that Dexter is determined. He came into the world fighting. This little kid wants to show the world how strong and clever he is.
And, we are incredibly proud of him.
Dexter is officially in remission.
His little body carries the scars of the cancer days. Our minds hold the scars, too.
Before Dexter was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, we didn't know much about childhood cancer.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
There are lots of kids out there; fighting cancers.
The more we talk about childhood cancers, the more people with know and care. The more people care, the more funding we can get. And, funding leads to research and medical research and trials save lives. Kid's lives.
Our hearts go out to the kids who are fighting, the families who are with them and our love goes to the families who have lost a child to cancer.
Happy Cordless Anniversary
Cancer Clear – One Year
Thanks, Mum and Dad
No Egg
End of Chemo – 1 Year Anniversary
Finding Out & Starting Treatment
Cancer in Photos
Dexter’s Hepatoblastoma
Dexter’s Cancer Story
Done!
See the Cancer?
Lizard
My Cancer
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Who is Dexter?
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