Firstly I want to thank you all for your messages of love and support.
We had a better day today. Ethan’s temperature continued to climb last night but then he broke through it all and it dropped. He woke up this morning happy and full of wit. He still needs to start eating a bit more whilst under observation but overall he did brilliantly today.
The results: he had a minor infection probably caused by coming in contact with someone who had a minor cold. That’s all it takes. Something small and insignificant to the rest of us is a big deal for Ethan. I woke up Wednesday morning and had to blow my nose once. I didn’t feel any other symptoms and I didn’t have to blow my nose again but if we got it from the same person that is the difference between us. His line is clear of infection which was the best news.
The other great news is that as he went so well today and the blood cultures didn’t grow any bad viruses they are going to go ahead and give him his chemo tomorrow. So we won’t lose a week as originally thought.
I should have mentioned in my post yesterday that we were told this type of thing would happen. We were warned, given the protocol of what we had to do and what to expect to happen afterwards. It all went exactly as they told us they would. I guess I was just hoping that we would never catch an infection!
We are grateful it is a small infection. It is a good reminder to be more vigilant. One thing I can tell you all as our friends is that when you see us the best thing you could do to greet Ethan is wave or give him a thumbs up. So many friends and even distant acquaintances feel the need to come and squeeze his hand or rub his hand. I can’t tell you how many times we have all had to put hand sanitizer on our hands and on Ethan’s head! Seriously!! Every time someone squeezes his hand I’m putting sanitizer on the second they walk away, not because we think you are unhygienic but because of Ethan’s low immune system and inability to fight common disease. We are very grateful for everyone’s understanding.
Ethan did manage to have a bit of fun today. He got to do some different things like…..
Plus his favourite visitor came today! His name is Deano. The second Deano walked in the door Ethan’s face lit up. For the next 10 mins Ethan was laughing and smiling. Deano is an AMAZING friend to have visit.
Following Deano’s visit Ethan had a heart echo. This is a standard procedure done before each new round of chemotherapy. He was scheduled to have this today even before the infection. He had a bit of fun seeing his heart and liver. It always reminds me of my pregnancy ultrasounds.
The results were all positive so now he is officially clear to start the next round of chemotherapy.
Ethan is getting good at being hooked up to his machines 24/7. Every time he has to go to the bathroom or out of his room etc he unplugs and wheels along.
All day Ethan wanted Blaise and Vienna to come visit him. I couldn’t find someone to go pick them up for me so Ethan said he was ok to stay with the nurses for 40 mins while I went myself. 5 mins after I left a friend from church (who Ethan loves) called to say that she was at Westmead for the week on a medical prac and asked if she could visit right then as she was on a break! This was a tender mercy with perfect timing. Megan went and sat with Ethan while I got caught in the worst traffic jam coming home. There was an electrical fire in the wires above Old Windsor Road and all 6 lanes were completely closed and the road was detoured. I was gone for over an hour. Megan stayed with Ethan the whole time as the surgeons she was working with had an emergency come up so she was dismissed for the day. I did feel bad that she was then going to be stuck in the traffic going home. Ethan was super happy though as he had company the whole time and he got his siblings.
So the three children were happily reunited……. as were their squabbles. What a task! My patience had completely run out by the time Luke arrived (very late after being stuck in the bad traffic – what normally takes 15 mins took an hour). The kids did have some fun together. I think it comes down to Vienna being extremely over tired combined with her talent of annoying Ethan. Eventually Ethan and Blaise set up the DVD player to watch the Tom and Jerry Show and I took Vienna down the hall to the little toy room and library. We had a great time playing and reading together and the boys were happy.
Vienna, Blaise and I said our good nights the minute daddy arrived. It was past bedtime by the time we got back home still needing to eat dinner. Thankfully Vienna was tired and asked to go straight to bed as soon as she finished eating. I love it when that happens!
Thanks for reading!
Love to all,
Jerusha
Rosemarie says
Glad to hear Ethan had a better day. Sending all our love and prayers to the whole family. xoxoxo
Vickie says
So glad to hear Ethan was feeling better and that things are back on track for his treatment to continue. You guys are always in our thoughts and prayers. x
Jeanette Evans says
YAAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!!! xxx
Karin Schulze says
Dear Jerusha,
you have a wonderful husband who was a great missionary and we were so pleased to have him in our mission and working so close with him. It is not surprising to me to see how he deals with this challenge you are going through. I don,t know you , but I think you are doing great , both of you and I wish I would be close to help. If there is a
toy Ethan would like to have from Germany, let us know.
Love
Karin Schulze