Day 17 Part 2

Part 2. William seems to be having a better day today. His heart rate has been down to the 120 range and his blood pressure was around 112/60 (78). His fever is still on a Yo-Yo ride but, all the blood cultures have come back negative, and because we are now going on our 5th day with this fever, the Dr.'s have placed him on a third antibiotic... William's fluid yesterday was negative 10.... not exactly what we were hoping for but, I am still happy with any negative numbers. William received a transfusion earlier today so because of that I believe he will positive on his fluid numbers today.... but that’s okay, tomorrow will be a new day and we can try to get rid of some of it then. Randell bought William a remote controlled helicopter and this morning William and I were giggling while daddy was trying to figure out the controls..... It was so good hearing Williams little giggle and seeing him smile. It's amazing how daddy's always know exactly what to do at the right moments :) Grandma has the night off tonight; hopefully she can relax and reward herself with a well deserved glass of wine. I had the night off last night and spent the night at home with Randell. It was extremely weird and a teary eyed setting the dinner table for two instead of three. I know that William will be home soon enough (min of 3 more weeks in the hospital) but, in the meantime the house is just awfully quiet and boring without him running up and down the stairs, yelling at the dogs for eating his toys, getting mad at the cat for getting hair on his bed and arguing with me or daddy about something small and trivial… Thank you for all the continued prayers and love. Keep on Keeping on.

Day 17

Update by Grandma Sally. Last night was just more of the same : a couple of fever spikes, a couple of catheter blockages more coughing and the very very sore throat. The sores in his mouth is bleeding so I am convinced he is in a lot of pain. When I asked about the coughing the answer was the right lung could have more discomfort because of the tumor. We were told that the tumors could even grow a little more after the first round of chemo, and things could get worse before they get better. I sure have to ask doctor when he is doing his rounds this morning what the strategy is to prevent the lungs from being more distressed. Most of William's hair has fallen out but he refuses to shave what is left which means a lot of hair everywhere and a lot of cleaning up. I had housekeeping coming in around eleven last night to clean the room again - the little guy has a lot of hair. And then he discovered the device that his dad brought yesterday to pick up the loose hair on his pillow - you know the one that has the sticky tape around it to pick up hair and lint?. He started rolling this over his head like a brush and the next thing he had big bald spots everywhere. He looked at himself in the mirror and said "Oh gosh I look like a dork!" and then decided to go on a mission. It brought a few giggles in the room - he now looks like your typical man going bald. Just a ring of hair around the lower part of the head. Lois and Randell went home last night and William and I Skyped them. William's face just lit up when Heaven and Halo (the two dogs) also appeared in the picture on the screen. Mom and Dad is also looking for a strip of foam that will fit on the pull-out chair that we are sleeping on in the hospital room. Why on earth would a hospital choose such uncomfortable chair/beds? Surely they see the results in the grumpy mothers and grandmothers in the mornings? When I asked my girlfriend Sylvia who is a twice breast cancer survivor how she got through it all her response was - just go with the program. Meaning the routine in itself gives one structure and momentum to get through the day. I have no doubt that William is going to come out perfectly healed and healthy - I am just not prepared everyday for the rivers and mountains and fires. And staying happy, friendly and loving amidst it all is very hard work. I have to call his mom and tell her to bring a beanie for William. The skin on his head is tender to the touch. Have a great weekend y'all.