Chemo - Week #4

June 11th Update:

Isaac was scheduled to have his 4th dose of chemotherapy today.  However, one of his blood counts were too low so it will be rescheduled for next Thursday.  


Typically before each chemo appointment they do blood work at the University of Iowa to ensure that Isaac's blood counts are high enough to administer the chemo that week.  Last week, there was one in particular that was a little low but not low enough that they couldn't give the chemo so they suggested that for the following week I go to a local lab the day before his chemo appointment to get his blood counts checked.  So yesterday I took Isaac to a local lab in the morning and the University of Iowa called yesterday afternoon and said that Isaac's blood results came back and one blood count in particular was too low.  So, that means that Isaac has today off and we will continue next week with his next dose of chemo. The specific blood cell count that was low helps fight off infections. The lower your count, the more vulnerable you are to infectious diseases. Thus, we will be extra careful till his counts bounce back. ;-)

This past week has been pretty good for Isaac.  He had gotten sick twice but overall no other side effects.  We've loved being outside during these past few HOT days.  Isaac got a new kiddie pool and slide so he's been loving those A LOT!!  Isaac also got to go to Nick's cousin's wedding on Saturday.  He had a ball.  Check out his sweet dance moves...

Thanks for continuing to pray for Isaac.  We feel very blessed that he is doing so well.  He amazes us that he is being so strong throughout this.  We know that God is the reason behind this and He has strengthened Isaac.  

chemo - week #3

IZ is scheduled for his third chemo appointment Friday the 5th at 7:10am.

Then in the evening Isaac, Nick and I will be participating in Relay for Life which is being held at Kirkwood Community College here in Cedar Rapids. This is a nationwide fundraiser event that raises money for the National Cancer Society.  Nick's wonderful Target team made Target T-shirts with the phrase '#TEAMISAAC' on the back (pictures to come tomorrow).  We are excited because Isaac will be able to walk during the Survivor Lap!

Update: June 5th
IZ'S chemo appointment went pretty well this morning.  I was by myself today for the first time so that was a little more challenging but we made it through. Isaac was a trooper for those 4 hours.  We watched some Frozen and Shreck.  Then we took occasional breaks from the movies to listen to music on the Kindle.  :-)

Chemo - Week#2

May 28th Update:

Today Isaac had his second round of chemotherapy.  I was somewhat dreading this appointment because the first week's was pretty rough but much to my surprise the appointment went GREAT!  

Today's appointment began at 9am and we were out of there by 1pm.  Isaac's Grandpa Len and Uncle Ben met us in Iowa City for the appointment.  

I think IZ loved having them around.  They were great in distracting him and keeping him entertained.  Thanks you guys!  Here is a video of IZ dancing during his chemo infusion.  :-)  
DanceVideo

Chemo - Week #1 Update

May 26th Update:

We've been asked by many how Isaac has been recently so thought I would write a quick update on him...  Isaac has been doing quite well since his first chemo infusion last Friday. He hasn't really had any negative side effects.  This is a huge praise!  We are hoping and praying that this will continue to be the case for most of or all of his treatment.  
:-)

We've had a good could of days with him.  Nick was off work this Memorial Day Weekend so we had the chance for lots of family time.  :-)  We went to a BBQ yesterday with lots of friends and IZ was running all around and playing on the playground set.  He had such a good time playing with all the other little kiddos.  ;-)

IZ will have his next Occupational Therapy appointment today and then his next chemo appt will be Thursday.  

Chemotherapy - Week #1

May 22 Update:

Today Isaac had his first chemotherapy treatment at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  We arrived a little before noon and left slightly before 5pm.  For any of you that have small children, you've probably guessed that this is nap time so it ended up being a long day due to the whole "no nap"....    :(

Prior to arriving Nick and I didn't really know what to expect.  We first met with the nurse practitioner and Isaac's oncologist and talked about what was going to happen today and then we went over signs and symptoms to look for once we go back home.  It's kind of information overload so luckily they also sent us home with all the information in written form.  :-) 

The whole process was long and pretty drawn out.  It's a lot of sitting around and waiting. The chemotherapy drugs took a while to administer.  In the beginning when they were accessing IZ's port (acts like an IV) we had a child life specialist come in to help distract Isaac.  She brought him plenty of toys.  We started with bubbles (his favorite) and then he took to the choo choo trains but then we hit the jackpot when she whipped out the IPAD.  IZ was in heaven and basically was kept entertained by that the majority of the time.  He loves KIDZ Bop as of late and will listen to "Uptown Funk" over and over and over. 

Isaac was a trooper and did pretty well till the last hour or so.  He was getting pretty grumpy and was really wanting to get home.  The last hour tested our patience as we tried to comfort him but really the only thing that helped was when we actually got to leave.  As soon as we headed out the door he was golden.  ;-)  Go figure.  

Luckily IZ fell asleep right away in the car as Nick and I drove home.  We were all pooped. When we got home we were blessed to have Barb Randall (a family friend) bring us over a delicious meal.  We are so blessed by her selflessness.  She has already brought us dinner 3 times and just does it without asking. And Bonus, she is a fantastic cook so every time it's totally yummy..... What a good feeling it is to know you don't have to worry about whats for dinner after a long hard day like today.  Barb- you are a HUGE blessing in our lives.  Thank you for being so generous and kind to us.  :-)  

Thank you also for those of you who prayed during today's appointment and for those who sent us texts.  :-)  We so appreciate you!

All in all today was kind of rough and much harder than I first anticipated but with that said God has sustained us and we made it through Isaac's first chemotherapy.  

1 down, 59 to go.  Isaac's next chemotherapy appointment will be Thursday, May 28.  

Port Surgery Complete

May 14th Update:

Isaac had his 2nd surgery this morning. This was to place a "port" in his upper chest.  This small titanium device is used to administer chemotherapy safer and more effectively.   

So, we arrived at University of Iowa Hospital at 6:00 in the morning and started pre-op. Then we headed to the operating room.  I went down with him to ease his anxiety because he was going to have to get the gas mask which dispenses the "sleepy" meds. Of course this is always hardest on me as mom... You'd think after seeing IZ get sedated 2 times prior I'd be getting use to it. However I just end up crying every time.  It's just so hard to see my little guy struggle as they put the mask on because I know he is scared but it's better for Isaac if I'm there, so I try to put my brave face on... That's what mom's do i guess ;)  

The surgery began at 7:30 and lasted roughly an hour and a half.  Afterwards the surgeon came and talked with us and told us the procedure went well and as expected.  We had to wait a while longer in the waiting room while Isaac woke up. Then we were brought into the first recovery room.  When we got there Isaac was sleeping. They told us that Isaac woke up prior but he was a little "wild" so they had to give him a medicine that calmed him down and made him a bit sleepy.  So we waited a good while as he rested.  Once Isaac woke up the second time Nick and I were there to keep him calm.  His first word after he woke up this time was "BUBBLES"...  haha.  This kid loves his bubbles.  :) Once he was stable enough I got to hold him for another hour or so.  He ate some crackers and drank some apple juice which were both great signs.  Lastly, we headed to Recovery 2 where he just slept on me while they checked vitals and ensured everything was good.  We then were discharged around 11:30.

Now we are back home and are enjoying his favorite movie "FROZEN".  :-)  He'll most likely be pretty sleepy for the next 24 hours but that just means extra snuggles for this mom and dad.

Thank you all for continuing to pray for our family.  God has been so faithful to us thus far and we are trusting in his GOOD and PERFECT plan for Isaac.

Be a blessing,

Nick and Allison



This is a picture of Jeffrey, Isaac's trusted stuffed giraffe who has gone through both surgeries with Isaac.  It cracked me up to see how the medical staff @ Iowa dressed him up.   :-)

  

May 13th Update

Isaac is having his second surgery tomorrow. He is getting a port put in for when he starts chemotherapy next week. Prayers for the surgeon/the rest of the medical team at the University of Iowa, peace for Nick and I as we wait, and strength for our lil IZ are very much appreciated. Thanks everyone!