Colin Loves Tractors » Chemotherapy

Homecoming

Mom — Sun, 30 May 2010 03:34:39 +0000

On Wednesday, May 25, Colin boarded a plane in Memphis and finally made his way home. As I announced the impending plans around the hospital, I was greeted with well earned superstition from every quarter. Notably, on Tuesday, Dr. Gajjar asked what time his flight was the next day. “Three-fifteen,” I responded.

“Over 24 hours,” he [...]

Survivor: Target House

Mom — Sun, 23 May 2010 13:10:43 +0000

There is no immunity challenge, and Jeff Probst doesn’t sit us around a campfire to discuss who is next to go, but living here is beginning to feel like a warped version of the Survivor reality show. So many families that were planning to leave after us are by now long gone.

The Simkins, who have [...]

Winding Down*

Mom — Tue, 04 May 2010 06:53:06 +0000

Our family’s time at St. Jude is drawing to a close. On Friday, April 16, Colin had his last MRI before he goes home. The suspected tumor, as we hoped/anticipated, remains stable, and the spinal scans are still clear. Furthermore, the blood clot has resolved significantly, with some pieces remaining and very good blood flow [...]

Operation Radiation

Mom — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:45:57 +0000

Colin’s final radiation treatments found us at Methodist Central, an adult hospital not far from St. Jude in midtown Memphis. The final dose of radiation was delivered on Saturday morning, when a normal child of his age is watching cartoons. We are in the home stretch of our time here in Memphis and the more [...]

Reset Button

Mom — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:43:52 +0000

Colin’s second week of radiation was grueling: vomiting, utter fatigue, dangerous aspiration and an unexpected stay in the hospital. The third week (days 9 – 13) was a completely different story. After going back inpatient at St. Jude, Colin slept for two days straight, waking on Friday morning at 4 am to let me know [...]

Time for the ANC Dance

Mom — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:18:36 +0000

Well, today was Colin’s No Mo’ Chemo party, but for some reason, the chemo didn’t put on its listening ears. For one thing, Colin has been vomiting again, though not horrifically. It’s just enough to knock him down a few times a day. For another, his ANC is still 0, not a huge surprise but [...]

Cancer Rock Star

Mom — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:26:22 +0000

Colin Outgrows His Bed ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 4

Colin's antics with his hospital bed forced us to reconsider the wisdom of using an adult bed and put him back in a crib. This was taken on the day of his admission for chemo day 8 on the final round.

Last week, I made a foray [...]

No Mo’ Chemo!

Mom — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:46:17 +0000

The last chemo precaution sign. This indicates the time of the administration and how long we need to properly dispose of diapers and so forth (48 hours after the drug has finished being administered).

Well, it’s official: Colin’s I.V. chemo is done. He received a dose of vincristine Thursday afternoon at 3:22 pm. Chemotherapy will continue [...]

Last Stop, Pukesville!

Mom — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:19:24 +0000

The chemo train is taking Colin on a trip to Pukesville. Next station, Emesis Valley. Making local stops at East Heavetown and Upper Hurlbury! Discounted fare available with Zofran, Benadryl, Ativan and Reglan.

Cisplatin is the usual suspect with severe nausea and vomiting, and we have been bracing ourselves for this since the end of the last [...]

Marathon, Not a Sprint

Mom — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:25:03 +0000

We and others have often commented that cancer treatment is a marathon, not a sprint. Today, the literal marathon supporting St. Jude took place, including a half-marathon and the 5K that I participated in. The connection between treatment and the marathon is more than casual, something that we observed and felt first hand through the course [...]