Alex urinary tract infection update

Alex and I went to Children's Hospital today for his urinary tract infection follow up. They performed a ultrasound to see if his kidneys and bladder are developing correctly - yep!

They also did a VCUG which is a horrible procedure involving a catheter up his penis, xray, and strapping a baby down to a table. We are promptly erasing the entire experience from our memory. The test did show that he has reflux - when the urine in the bladder flows back up into the kidneys. The radiologist will write up his report and then we will consult with our pediatrician regarding treatment. From my research the treatment (if any) is largely dependent on the grade (1-5). From the preliminary info the radiation doctor said it sounds like Alexs grade is low and he doesn't have reflux caused be any structural problems. The overall worry is that if left untreated the reflux will cause scarring and problems with the kidneys.

So good news that he is developing correctly and good news that his reflux is probably the type that can be treated with daily antibiotics if even that.

I also read online that sibs have a 1 in 3 chance of also having urinary reflux even if they have not demonstrated any symptoms. From what the research says they recommend sibs getting tested as well. I will wait to see what the doctor says. I cannot imagine doing the procedure with Lee and Charlotte. It is almost better that Alex is so young because he isn't aware of what is going on and forgets quickly. Lee and Charlotte on the other hand would fret over the test and remember the pain.

I guess Alex's reflux could just be because of my chemo - or at least that is what my mommy guilt is saying in my head.

I get my test results back tomorrow morning. A week full of doctors and hospitals - what fun!

He is crawling

Alex is crawling. To be exact he has learned how to sit up on his own, crawl, and begin to pull up all in one week. I think he finally figured out that being on the move is to his benefit. Lee and Charlotte promptly exclaimed that now he could get their toys! He also is learning how to wave bye bye, say hi, and give kisses.

This is one of my favorite ages. He is such a cutie. I will post the video of his crawling later this weekend. We are off to my moms place for the night to swim and take advantage of grandmas company.

Enjoy the weekend.

almost there.....

so I must admit I am counting down the days until my test. So many people have asked if I am nervous - not really. At this point I have done my job and the test results are going to be what they will be. I am just anxious to get the thing over with and have the results. I have placed a freeze on any heavy thinking, planning, or worrying until after the tests. I sort of feel like it is a waste of time to make any decision until after next week. I just have to ride this wave until it lands me on whatever shore is my destiny.

My hair is growing back faster than I expected. Charlotte associates my hair growth with recovery and gets excited every day that mommy has hair. I wish it was that simple. Hey maybe it is and my cutie pie knows something I don't.

A recent picture of the pink lady.

I pray she, Alex, and Lee never have to go through any of this cancer bull shit.

Long weekend

Dave and I will enjoy the long weekend with the kids. Dave actually gets a break from work and all the travelling he has been doing.

Lee and Charlotte have been taking swimming classes and are eager for the swimming pools to open up. Luckily my mom has a pool at her place and Louise has a beach in her community. Plenty of free swimming to fill the summer months.

I am still focusing on enjoying the moment and not stressing about these looming tests. Gratefully the weather is awesome around here, I have a yard full of beds to plant, and 3 kids to keep me busy.

Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Creepy crawlies are gone

We are a lice free household again. I will have to treat the kids again before the weekend to make sure everything is dead but we should be in the clear. All of their teddy bears are clean and some came out of the dryer with a new hairdo.

I am trying to remind myself daily (hourly) to chill out during these few remaining weeks before my PET scan. The test is always out there looming over my head. When people ask how I am doing it's kind of like - well we find out in June if all the treatment worked. Essentially over one years worth of treatment will either pass or fail come this June. I can't say enough how much I pray this journey with cancer is over. I am quite honestly done with cancer. I don't want to talk about it, go to the appointments, get any more treatments - none of it! I am such a pain in the ass when I have to go to Hopkins now. I am sure they feel the same way about me - let's get here the heck out of our hair.

I know a couple people that are gearing up for mini transplants and I cringe at the thought. The mini is what the docs recommend if my PET comes back poorly. It would require me living in Baltimore near Hopkins for 2 months. Definitely not the way I plan to spend my summer vacation.

I will continue to try to chill out, enjoy the kids, Dave, and life. What will be will be - no sense in worrying about it.

Lice

Charlotte and Lee have lice! Someone from school had it and it spread to the other students. Let me just say lice is mother natures way of making you do 50 zillion loads of laundry! Their room looks so bare since I removed all the stuffed animals on their beds. For those of you who have been here you know that I am not kidding when I say I filled 4 trash bags full of stuffed animals. I don't know how they sleep with them but they do. They are already requesting them back and I just finished up the loads of their bedding and pillows.....my kids don't have any patience. Like mother like son/daughter.

Luckily Dave, Alex, and I have been spared.

So the kids are home from school hanging out playing while I fold endless amounts of laundry. Still better than going to Hopkins!

Test results are back for Alex and he is free of infection - great news. So now we just have to get him evaluated at Children's in June. I am holding out hope that this was just some simple infection and there isn't anything major wrong with the little guy.

I was at Hopkins today and my counts are coming back up. My liver functions are also good and my shingles are almost gone. I shouldn't have to go back up until June for the PET scan!!!! I am so sick of the drive, getting blood draws, and just the entire scene. A break is long overdue and I am thrilled I get some time away.

I am pretty fatigued lately so I plan to rest up and relax until the tests in June.