Another Big Day

Today brought

• Portacath- where/ how he will have fluids given and withdrawn Pray that this is protected, never gets infected, and works perfectly the entire time this is in our little guy- 3 yrs.
• Skin biopsy- they took some skin from the port incision site so that they would have a sample of healthy cells to compare to his cancer cells. Pray that the discomfort from surgery will go away.
• ENT doctor went into his left ear again to clean it out more, take cultures, and check it all out
• ENT doctor believes the serious infection in Dempsey's ear (that is still riding on wings of hope) is called malignant (necrotizing) otitis externa; this is very serious because of it's placement in relation to Demspey's brain Pray that it is quickly controlled with IV antibiotics and that it doesn't spread, there is no facial nerve damage/ paralysis.
• Infectious disease person is watching Dempsey's ear area and parts of his trunk to keep him safe. Pray that no new infection shows up and that Dempsey's body will be allowed to address and kick this cancers butt.
• Nurse Melanie is my people- she is a southern woman who is blunt and loving
• Dr Neudorf, oncologist, said we will postpone starting chemo until next week so that Dempsey has a chance for the antibiotics to work on bringing his infection down. It is so strange to have leukemia treatment placed on hold because of an infection. I mean, we get it, but when you say it out loud it just seems strange.
• We are on pain management for the next few days. Hopefully there will be nothing new showing up. Pray that Dempsey remains stable and that nothing surprising comes up to delay or derail treatment and healing.
• Perspective: realizing there are thousands of parents whose children are fighting a more tragic diagnosis or life sentence than what we are. It doesn't make it easier to accept but it does help us remember that it could be worse. Pray for EVERY family in this hospital and around the world who are living a life with difficult health situations.
• Mother's- a store like Whole Foods, complete with a deli or delicious and healthy food- just what our weary bodies need to stay fueled for the fight. Pray that we will maintain our health and strength by putting in the right nutrients, getting the right rest, and working on self-care.