I went to a party today and caught up with lots of friends, it was great to see them all! I had a go on the rocking horse and held on all by myself. I even had some vegemite on bread and I didn't choke like before! I'm such a big boy now! This is an extract from Dexter's mum's blog: When the chemotherapy first started, we were told to expect at least four cycles, followed by surgery, followed by two more cycles. It seemed such a long time. We were already so exhausted and we knew this would not change while Dexter was undergoing treatment for cancer... but, we knew we would make it through. We knew the risks associated with the type of chemo we chose for him – a high chance of secondary cancer developing with the longer exposure to one of the chemo drugs, as opposed to permanent hearing loss associated with the general chemo used for Hepatoblastoma. But he responded so well after the first round – even the Oncologists were amazed. His alpha fetoprotein levels (tumour markers) were dropping. An average infant Dexter’s age has a level under 8. His were 126,000. After round one, it went to 6000. The day round two of chemotherapy started, it was at 4500. At the end of round two, it went to 2400. And it is currently at 412. The tumour is shrinking – dramatically shrinking. It is becoming harder to feel. And he is feeling better. He is happy; he doesn’t sleep as often as he did pre-cancer; he is active. He had his tests again – kidney, hearing and CT scan. We had two full days at the hospital. They were big days – we were physically and emotionally tired, from the driving and the waiting and waiting and waiting... His levels have decreased and yes, the tumour has shrunk, but not enough. He needs at least another round of chemo before they will operate on him. The third round of chemotherapy is due to start on Thursday. Our Little Man is getting there - but it's a long, tiring, scary and difficult road. I watched dad's friend play rugby today, but he hurt himself! I practised my sitting and tried to play with my friend, Max. I love my new hat, which I got from my friend Jacob's grandma! I have a rash from my immune booster needle. Its pretty ugly! I'll start round 3 of my chemotherapy on Thursday.... Last night mum and dad were asleep before me! I don't know why they would be so tired! (We did just spend two days waiting around in hospitals... I was tested in a few different ways... and we did have to drive to Sydney each day...) I slept all night, but was very hungry for breakfast! My oncologist will review my results today, we are hoping that the tumour has started to shrink, but won't find out until next week. I'm hoping to catch up with my friends today, I haven't seen them in a long time! Just hanging out in the ward until my CT scan. I've been fasting since 6pm... Lucky I'm still sleepy, otherwise the nurses would have a cranky boy on their hands! 3 hours in a car when it should only take 2 is very boring! I'm currently radioactive, so the doctors can check my kidneys... then it will be blood and line care time and then my hearing test. It's going to be a long day! |
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