quick update

Just a quick update on how things are going here in the hospital. Ethan started his chemo treatment officially on Tuesday night and things have been fairly minimal in terms of side effects, thankfully. He is scheduled to have chemo again tomorrow (Friday) and then the schedule is usually to have it once a week or so.

We have a whole new language of medicine, treatment and human body functioning to learn and the nurses and doctor team are all very wonderful about explaining and re-explaining what certain things mean and what we are supposed to look for in terms of symptoms, etc. but it is definitely going to take some time to really understand how things work and the schedule around here in terms of rounds, meds, and everything else.


Since leukemia is a cancer of the blood, Ethan has to have his blood checked at least once a day, and usually more since some of the chemo drugs and other medicines that he has to take can effect his blood counts and levels. This morning his platelet count was low - which is a normal part of the process since the chemo isn't smart enough to only kill the leukemic cells, it also kills his healthy blood cells. So, from time to time he will need to have blood transfusions to replace what's been depleted of his healthy red blood cells and platelets, and his body will have to do the work to make more white blood cells (This is at least how I understand it so far, as a new leukemia cancer mom).

All this to say, Ethan's platelet count was low and so he had to have a platelet transfusion this morning which went just fine. It sounded a lot scarier than it was - really nothing more than hooking up another bag to his IV pole and making sure he didn't have any kind of reaction. We've had a chance to visit the playroom today (a HUGE blessing for our very active 3 year old) and have mostly been just hanging out.

Eloise has been taken care of extremely well - an unbelievable blessing. We've gotten to see her almost every day, and it is a bright time for Ethan to get to see his sister and for her to see her big brother. 

Specific prayer requests:
-His next chemo drug will be given tomorrow. Pray that he would experience minimal/no side effects.
-Stamina for all of us during this first round of treatment. It's a lot for all of us to take in, and we are taking things one day at a time. 
-Discernment in helping to figure out a balance between caring for both Ethan and Eloise. Eloise is well taken care of but we miss her and want to make sure she knows how much we love her too.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers for our family.