Monthly trip to the hospital

January 24th Update:

I took Isaac back to the hospital this morning for his monthly antibiotics infusion.  Hopefully he'll only need 1 more dose in February and then get to be all done with medicine!

I wasn't sure how'd he react to having to go back to the hospital (as we kind of all thought we'd be done by now), but overall he did amazing.  Sure he fussed at home when I put his numbing cream on his port but once we got to the hospital he was nothing but smiles.  This was of course due to the fact that he got to see ALL of his favorite people there.  His nurse,  Morgan,  was there, and his child life buddy,  Kathy,  was too.  He was just as talkative as ever. He cracks me up at the stuff he tells them all. 

We were there for a few hours and then got to come home in time for nap. 

A lot of you have asked how he's been doing since his last scans earlier this month.  The answer is great! Besides having to go to the hospital for 1 fever, we've successfully kept him away from any other sickness. He's as active as ever and getting ready for this baby sister of his.  She'll be here in 5 weeks! Nick and I are very excited for her to join the family and for Isaac to get promoted to a big brother.  He's gonna nail it! :-)

Next appointment is in 4 weeks for Mr. Isaac.  As always thank you for keeping him and our family in your prayers.  We so appreciate the support.  

Fever #8

January 7th Update:

Isaac woke up in the middle of the night with a high fever.  So we woke dad up and packed for the hospital and were out the door in 10 minutes.  20 minutes later we arrived in the ER and the staff went to work getting his port accessed and started fluids.  We are waiting on his lab results and blood cultures right now.  Then we'll start some antibiotics. 

MRI Results

MRI Results:

As you know Isaac had an MRI on Thursday. This was the first MRI since he finished chemotherapy 1 month ago.  We were all excited about the possibility of removing his port as long as the scans were good.  We've never had a "bad" scan since he was first diagnosed so perhaps we just expected this scan to be the exact same.  While we waited for the results (as Isaac was still recovering from the sedation) we even met with the surgeon to discuss removing his port next week. 

Unfortunately, his MRI results weren't what we expected or hoped for. There's a region of his tumor (on the lower end of the brain stem) that showed some differences from his last scan causing some reason for concern.  Thus, the doctors recommended postponing his port surgery and also moving up his next MRI to be in 2 months (instead of the normal 3).  That means that his next MRI will be scheduled mid March, just 2 weeks after I'm scheduled to give birth to our baby daughter.  :-(

As you can imagine this was pretty disheartening news.  We really wanted his port out and now that isn't going to happen and then the timing of his next MRI isn't ideal with a newborn on the way. 

But regardless we are still choosing to believe that God's plan is better than ours, even when we don't get it, even when it doesn't fit our "earthly" timeline, and even when it's not what we wanted.  God still knows what He is doing and we have to trust Him in this. 

So what does this mean for Isaac?... Now because the port stays in we need to continue to be extra careful about germs and sickness (particularly during these winter months) because if Isaac gets even a tiny little 100 degree fever he goes to the hospital.  It also means that he'll have to go back to the local children's hospital a few more times for port flushes and monthly doses of antibiotics.  This part kind of kills us as parents.  We've been explaining to Issac that he is done with chemo and we were counting down the number of port accesses left (thinking that last Thursday would be his very last one).  Well now he'll have to get a few more, and it's just hard to explain that to a 3 year old that wants to be done with all this.  So praying God helps Isaac accept this piece.  Then lastly next scan will determine if we can take the port out at that time or if further treatment options are needed.  I must admit the thought of having to start over again with new treatment makes me sick to my stomach.  So I'm trying not to think of that and trying to focus on God's promises and how much He loves my little boy and wants the best for him. So regardless of what happens in 2 months I know it will be OK.

In all, despite not being the best news in the world we also acknowledge that the news could have been far worse and we are still very thankful to have this fireball of a boy in our lives that will continue to fight the good fight. We are hoping this is just a small hiccup on this journey.

Thanks for your prayers in Thursday.  We so appreciate being lifted up in prayer and we would ask that you continue to keep our sweet boy on your minds and in your prayers the next 2 months. 

Be a blessing.

Nick and Allison

Last chemo

November 23 Update:

Isaac had his very LAST chemo treatment today! It was such a special day.  We've been counting down the days with him the past few weeks and Isaac was very excited. 

The hospital staff made it very memorable.  After his last dose they made a tunnel for Isaac to walk through and sang him a song about him being done with chemo.  Then he got to ring a bell and sign his name on the bell frame.  It was awesome!!

Sorry for the late post.  Didn't realize I had forgotten to blog his last chemo.  Better late then never. 

MRI

January 5th Update

Isaac has another MRI this morning.  We are praying for good scans.

We'll meet with his oncologist at Iowa afterwards to go over the results. 

Then pending a good report we'll meet with a surgeon later today to discuss removing his port.  We are hoping to schedule his surgery in the next 2 weeks.  We are so excited to get his port removed and start living a "normal" life. 

Then it's MRI's every 3 months for the next foreseeable future. 

Praising God for continuing to be with us and our lil boy.