Where to start..

Trying to describe Cody's new treatment is quite hard to do. The day started early, around 8am. Diane thought that we had to be there early on Monday but it turns out that is only on the first Monday of the treatment. So we arrived and they did Cody's blood work. The rest of the morning Cody and I spent playing in the recreation room waiting for his noon appointment. Well like most places Mondays are quite crazy at MSK and yesterday was no exception. It was around 3pm and most of the morning kids were done and heading out the door when I finally went to ask about Cody's treatment. They had Cody slated to be in a certain room with a certain nurse and it just so happens that the child before Cody had some complications which pushed us back. Oh well, that is the way it goes. We are use to things not going exactly as planned. So they decided to put us in a different room with a different nurse. We finally got started and things were going pretty well. There was a child psychologist sitting in on his treatment. I'm not sure if that is the norm but I welcomed the support and company. Cody did extremely well at the beginning. In fact, he made it as far as getting all the 3f8 being administered and the flush before things fell apart. Until this point we played a card game called "around the clock" which is something like solitaire. Then we started playing his new favorite game "poker". He amazed the psychologist and nurses with his understanding of the game. I know he is my son and I may be a little biased but I have to admit, he is so smart. Anyway, up to this point other than periodically drifting off in a daze he did great. As soon as the flush started I noticed his ears getting extremely red then his heart rate started going up. All of the sudden he started talking like he was holding his breath and talking at the same time. He began to panic a little as did I. The nurse was right there as she started giving him a breathing treatment. This is oxygen with some type of liquid that forms a mist which he inhales. He did it without question. Then the pain started in his abdominal area. The nurse gave him 3 rescues which are pain meds injected right into his line. She also asked him if he wanted to try some heat packs on his belly which he declined. Then she asked if he wanted some cold packs which he accepted. Now, I know that you are wondering "why offer warm and then cold." Well, the only way I can explain it is that all kids that go through this are different and they all experience something a little different. Last week Cody didn't want anything to do with either. In fact Diane was amazed that he wanted the cold packs. He had a total of 7 cold packs on his belly and back. It seemed to make him feel better so that is all that matters. The nurses are very understanding and do whatever the child wants, even if it is just "not talking." Through this process I have to say that I just felt totally helpless. I wanted to pick him up and hold him but I know he would never stand for that. At one point I almost started to cry when I saw he was having a hard time breathing. If this makes sense, I would kinda compare it to a religious experience. When you come out on the other side, you feel different. During this process Cody seemed to go from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other. He gave out more hugs and kisses to me and the nurses than "two teenagers on a hot date." One minute he was cussing me and the next he was saying he was sorry and he loved me. From 3pm to 8pm he told me he loved me at least every 5 minutes. After the pain was over the best way I can describe him is a "happy drunk." He loved everyone. Everyone we passed on the street and in the halls he said "hello". In fact, as we were getting off the elevator to go downstairs to eat he even helped a lady who was getting on the elevator. He was such a little gentleman. The lady looked in with amazement and gave him a big smile and a "thank you young man." As we walked away Cody looked at me and said, "it's good to be nice to old people right dad?" He is something else....

That's about it for now. I'm sorry for the long paragraph. I didn't know where to break it up. It is kinda like yesterday, just one long day....