Well, it's that time again, Xander went in for his three month M.R.I. and the results were good - no change.

It was an atypical day for this M.R.I.  4:00 this morning Xander's brother starts to gag and then finally threw up on Dad.  So Mom and Baby were off to the Pediatrician and Dad and Xander headed to Children's.

The M.R.I. experience keeps getting better.  We only waited 5 minutes to check in and then 15 minutes in the Radiology waiting room.  Another 15 minutes in the Radiology treatment room and then Xander headed to the anesthesiology cart.  Only then he got upset, which subsided after a few pulls from the gas mask.  Then Dad headed up to the cafeteria to get some coffee and a snack for Xander when he woke up.  Mom made it before Xander was returned to the treatment room and got to see Xander wake up after a nice little nap.  Willem was at home with a friend so Xander got the parent's undivided attention.  When he finally woke he was still a little wonky so we started off with juice for a while and then migrated to some chips.  After that he was ready to go.

We also had an Audiology test, a Neurology appointment and an Oncology appointment in the afternoon so we dropped Xander's medical records off at Audiology before we headed out, since you cannot take them off hospital premises.  Then we headed over to University Village for some lunch.  The last time Mom and the kids hit the cafeteria at the hospital everyone was sick for a month (in turns) so we were a little gun shy.

We made it back for a pretty easy Audiology appointment.  His hearing seems to have improved a bit in the 4000 Hz range from 40db to 25db, which is considered almost normal.  It drops down from there though.  But at least was better than the previous test.

We met with Dr. Avellino and checked his films.  It relieves a great deal of stress when you see the M.R.I.s with your own eyes.  It was a nice visit and there was little to nothing to report.

Then we checked in with Dr. Geyer and again had very little to report.  Xander weighted in at 34 lbs and was 38.5" tall.  So his weight and height are both great for his age.  He grew about 2" from December.  We have no idea how he was 34 lbs since he eats like a typical toddler, off and on.  We talked about his endocrine system a bit and will probably be having some specific endocrine tests done around June.  One year from when his radiation was started.

By that time it was late in the afternoon so we all headed home feeling pretty good about the day.

February 7th was the one year anniversary, post diagnosis.  It was silently acknowledged and let to pass without much fanfare.

We had Xander in to be checked by our Dentist but he did not like the back room too much so we were refered to a Pedodontist.  It will be much like going to Children's instead of a regular hospital.  He seems to have a cavity in his backmost, lower left molar so we would like to get that corrected as soon as possible.

So May will be the next M.R.I.  Maybe this time we will remember to perform a lumbar puncture to check the spinal fluid, but with the M.R.I.s looking so good, is it worth it?  We will check with the Oncologist and see.

Xander went in for his second MRI since completing treatment and it was clear!!!

After all of the events this week leading up to the MRI Mom and Dad were very frightened of what we might find.

We headed into Children's for 9:00 this morning, now only 1 hour before the procedure time.  Beforehand it had always been 2 hours.

We went to Surgery, and they checked us in, but then sent us off to Radiology.  Hmmm, something different.  We signed in at Radiology and waited for 20 minutes or so until the RN toook us back and got Xander's vitals. 

We waited 40 more minutes due to an emergency MRI that had to be done.  So we walked the halls with Xander until the anesthesiologist cam in to get him ready for sedation.

He didn't take to kindly to having the mask put on him so he struggled until the gas took effect, then the anesthesiologist put in an IV and started administering Provofol.

Mom went to get some coffee and Dad went upstairs to Oncology to make sure who they were going to review the MRI results with afterwards.  The Oncology RN would come down to Radiology, review the results with the Radiologist and then relay the results to Mom and Dad.

After 30 minutes Xander was wheeled into the same room where his vitals were taken, with the parents waiting anxiously for him.  He had a bit of a nap since it was his nap time anyway.  In the meanwhile Mom, Dad and the RN had a nice chat.

After Xander got up and had some Milk and Chips we all went to the cafeteria to get some lunch and kill some time until the results would be available.  The Oncology RN met us in the hallway on the way back to Oncology with her thumbs up!  The MRI was clear and looked better than ever with the resection areas filling in even more.

Mom and Dad meet with Dr. Geyer next week to review the results.

A huge relief and a load off of our minds, until the next MRI in three months.

We give a huge congratulation to Children's for streamlining the MRI procedure.  We were able to shave 1 hour off the check in time.  A time when Xander can have nothing to eat or drink until the procedure is done.  Plus being able to be in the room as Xander is wheeled in to recover from the sedation, and minimizing the time that we are apart. In large bureaucratic organisations like Hospitals this optimisation is like a dream come true.

On Mon Dec 8th, Mom and Dad were awakened 3:00 in the morning to a shriek from Xander's room.  We rushed in to find him sitting on the bed with vomit all over the cover's and pillows.  This, one year and a day, after Xander had exhibited the same behaviour last year.

We were horrified and Xander was freaked out.   Dad calmed, and changed, him while Mom changed the sheets.  Then baby brother had to get in on the action waking up and demanding some attention.

Dad took Xander down for some juice, luckily we still had some Pedialyte in stock, although Xander was not too interested in it.

On the way back upstairs he heaved again and had just a bit of liquid some out.  So Dad spent the evening with him stocked with towels to make sure there was no mess again.

He proceeded to vomit once more later in the morning.  We then got up and Dad stayed home since Mom and Dad were very worried at this point.  We all cuddled up on the couch and watched a DVD.  After about an hour Xander said he was tired so he and Dad went upstairs.

Meanwhile Mom was on the phone with Oncology.  After going through all of the symptoms the RN said it looked like a touch of the flu.  Since he had his second shot earlier, he should be good by the next day.  He continued to be good the rest of the day and we checked in with Ooncolofy continuing to update them on his condition.

That evening and the next day were free from incident.

Dad had taken Xander to the International Motorcycle Show, the day before, and they had tried out many motorcycles so there was more than enough chance to pick up a bug even with the alcohol wipes.

On Tuesday Mom called in to Oncology again and indicated that she was not sold on the basis of him not throwing up since his symptoms a year earlier were very sporadic and he would be perfectly fine in between his being sick.  So the RN and the scheduler worked a minor miracle and scheduled us for Thu the 11th at the same time as our appointment on the 17th.  Mom and Dad were very happy with this arrangement since it would be cruel and unusual punishment to wait another week for the next MRI.

Xander was fine the rest of the week, but did have a stuffy nose.

Yesterday Xander went to Children's to get his second Flu shot for the year, and an IV vaccination for the RSV virus.

Since Xander's immune system had been essentially reset he requires two flu shots this year, the first was in November and the second at this visit.

He also started the first in a series of RSV virus vaccinations.  Although it is not just a shot, but an IV drip of the vaccination, along with a nice painful poke.  Luckily it was over in a few minutes and after the lengthy wait in the initial lenghty waiting room, Mom, Willem and Xander were quickly on their way.

Xander seems to be doing great.  His hair is growing back nicely and he just has a small crescent scar where the Hickman line used to be.

He is still on a series of Bactrim (antibiotics) Mondays & Tuesdays to help keep him germ free.  He should be done in around 4-5 more weeks.

His appetite is typical two-year old, on and off.  But we're still on a kick to get his weight up a bit more to be more in line with his height.

Next MRI is mid December so we will get a look inside and see the current state of affairs.  Needless to say, Mom and Dad are a bit apprehensive.

Today (Nov 22nd), before we were heading out to visit some friends, Xander tripped near the stairs and hit his head directly on the incision on his head to the flat edge of one of the stairs.

Mom and Dad stood aghast as Xander jumped back up looked at us, and then the pain finally registered and he let out a healthy howl.  Mom scooped him up and dried up the tears.

We took a feel of his  head - nothing moved, looked at his eyes - not dilated, checked out his attention span and response to questions - good.  So we decided to continue on with the evening, but keep an eagle eye out for any odd behavior.  We did not give him Tylenol since we did not want to mask any future pain that may indicate a worsening condition.

At our friends he was alright, playing with the kids.  He seemed to stumble once or twice, but he also did not have a nap that day and was walking around on hardwood floors with footed Jammies

The next day after sleeping in he was back to being stable and we left that traumatic occurrence behind us.

Xander headed in to Children's on Friday to get his flu shot for this year.

Since Xander's immune system is still fragile Oncology recommended that the family get their flu shots.  Mom and Dad had their last week and now it was Xander's turn.  Willem opted out since he was under age.

As usual the five minute procedure went a little longer, around 30 minutes, since Pharmacy did not send up the immunization.  So we waited and visited and played some Nintendo.  Then there was a quick poke and it was over.  Since he did not have one last year we will need to do this again in December.  Probably just after his MRI.

We also weighted his since he has been eating off and on.  He came in at 32lbs with runners on, so he is at least maintaining.

He is getting his hair back more and more each day.  It is still a little light around the radiation entry and exit points but seems to be filling in.  Might take a while.

He is also getting a rash on his cheeks and under his nose.  The pediatrician and the RN at Children's don't know quite what to make of it.  Although the RN did indicate it was probably Ecezma, which Mom had as a kid.  He is also exhibiting signs of his two year molars coming in, one of which may be the rash.