Getting Jakes Blog underway!

It is Friday, September 10th, 2010.  I've been wanting to start this blog as so many other parents do.  It is suppose to be theraputic to write.  And, so many of Jake's supporters want to know whats going on and this is a great way to do updates for everyone.

So where do I start... okay well as of diagnoses (June 1, 2010) Jake has had 4 rounds of chemotherapy.  The first two were drugs called Cyclophosphamide and Topotecan.

A bone scan was done after these two rounds that was disappointing... no change, if anything, slight spread of the cancer to his bones...

The next two rounds were different drugs, round 3 is also the same as round 5, drugs Cisplatin and Etoposide.  Round 4 is also the same as round 6, drugs Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, and Vincristine.

Another bone scan was done after rounds 3 and 4 that showed no change... as in, no further spread either..

So, throughout these rounds, each drug has its monster... first 2 rounds were pretty well tolerated... Jake had to pee every two hours so that the Cyclo didnt wreak his kidneys and bladder and they are both suppose to wipe out his blood cells so unfortunately we would get home for 3 days after chemo and be back in hospital with what is called fever neutopenia.  Bottom line, white blood cell counts go for a dive which leaves Jakes defences at nil to even his own natural bugs.

Round 3 wasnt so bad on the counts so we actually got a bit of a break from hospital life but it was a bad one for nausea.  Jake started at 55lbs and went to 49 after this round...

Round 4 was to be really bad on the counts, which it did and left Jake with a line infection.  Jake has a Central line to his heart that allows the chemo to be pushed through his system and bacteria loves plastic.  The powers that be wanted to pull the line immediately but we were able to work out that if we could fight the bacteria and get us through round 5, it could get pulled then as Jake will be having surgery between rounds 5 and 6 to remove the tumor and they could put another one in then.  The alternative was to take this line out, put Jake under to put another 'temperary' line in and then put in another central line in at time of surgery...instead we were able to go onto an antibiotic for 14 days, go home, have our September long weekend with family and have Jake go to his first week of school. 

Because of the infection it was the first time we were pushed back a week from starting chemo round 5 but it left Jake to be able to go to school and he got off of the antibiotic pump yesterday and was able to even play hockey last night!!! If you can imagine that!

The Kid is truely amazing...its the parents and the adults that know what is truely going on but for Jake...its more of a plain pain in the butt!  I and Jerre have decided that why should we stop him, when he is feeling good, from doing whatever makes him happy... although, I started the Wii and DS games and I'm sorry I did (in a way)... yes he is getting into them and will need to when he is stuck in hospital rooms for days on end... but we were not the type and you should see him on these things!  Half the time now I have to pry him off of them!  I know... lots more to complain about but I see the addiction side of these games!

Okay, so I've update you all on the MD (medical) side and now I will update you on the ND (natural) side.  Firstly, without the support of the community, friends, workmates and family we would have not been able to expand into this other side as well as we have.  We have put a reverse osmosis water system into the house, an air purifier onto the furnace, bought a juicer that is pumping more nutrients, enzymes and vitamins in Jake then we could force feed him to do daily, a bread maker, and a machine that has been said to lets say 'help'... All of the above items is because as Jake continues through his chemo and eventual stem cell transplant he will slowly not have a very great immune system...  all of these items will help to hopefully keep him as healthy as possible.  As well, we see a Natrulpath every month.  Jake is taking it all in stride (in otherwords, humoring his mother) with his funky green shakes, and what seems hourly supplements and cocktails... 6 different ND products, a probiotic, Vitamin D, Calcium, and tonnes of other products that help, especially with healthy weight gain.  I am happy to share that he is back to his 55 lbs!

Okay, I think I have filled you full for today :)
Now I am caught up and will let you all know how we make out with round 5.

Thanking you all for your continued love and support and again.... only think positive thoughts towards Jake and this adventure we have to go through... it doesnt help to be negative...
Ciao, Cath