Lauren's still in hospital and in a fair bit of pain and sick. Turns out her bowel has stopped functioning as a possible side effect of the chemo (Vincristine) and concoction of other drugs she was on. A gastro tube was inserted today to drain her gut of all the muck. She had 2 enemas today but they didn't work as bowel pumping/functionality has totally stopped. Hopefully will kick in as drug wears off??!! She's encountering a lot of muscle/bone pain all over, all associated with vincristine (chemo). She's never been one to complain about pain, but last night was an exception, so must have been bad.
A surgeon for stomach obstructions had a look at her (for those who know her background re this) but he doesn't seem to think it's a surgical issue/solution required. At least not yet anyway. Hopefully the pain will subside soon and her bowel functionality will kick in. She's on intravenous feeding as she can't eat yet either. Looks like she might miss the head shave after all.
Hopefully better news soon.
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Monday 28 April 2008
Update #13. Back in Hospital
Lauren's back in hospital today as she's in pain from the massive concoction of oral drugs she's on for chemo, possible bacterial infection &/or possible fungal infection, antibiotics etc. She's never had to take so many before. Seems the huge mixture of drugs are making matters worse rather than better and as of today they've stopped the lot until they work out what's happening. So she won't be at school tomorrow and hopefully out for the mother of all head shaves this Sunday (see update #12). Over $3,000 and still counting/collecting, well done Rob!!!
Monday 21 April 2008
Update #12. Transplant postponed and what's been happening
Transplant has definitely been postponed to early June at this stage, until either the scar tissue in Lauren's lung disappears or it's tested to see if it's a bacterial or fungal style infection. It is the remains of the pneumonia she had weeks ago. Whilst the medical team in Adelaide think it is bacterial, the Sydney Oncology team don't want to go ahead until it's either cleared or diagnosed correctly as bacterial or fungal. In about a month they'll retest and hopefully it will be gone. If not, an intrusive procedure will need to be done which is a bit tricky given it's location and how small it is. If fungal and we go ahead now, could prove fatal with the transplant. If bacterial I gather it's not as risky. If they're not willing to make the call, we're certainly not going to push the issue for the sake of a month and the interruption of our move etc.
A number of people have asked about updates over the last few weeks. Sorry, but with everything going on with the move, work etc we haven't had time to do any.
Basically the last few weeks have eased because Lauren finally received some good news in that she didn't need any heavy chemo before going to Sydney as her counts were OK, ~ 2 leukaemic cells/10,000. This gave her the chance to go to school for a few days for the first time this year. We thought she'd do a couple of hours and come home, probably exhausted. Turns out she did 3 full days and had more energy than ever as a result. She also went in the survivors walk in the "Relay for Life" at Santos Stadium.
A 24 hour team event to raise funds and awareness of cancer by the Cancer Council of SA. Concordia College to its credit via teacher Dean put in 2 Year 8 teams and raised over $3,100 by the kids who participated. Some photos are attached of the
event. At night, the track was lit by candles and messages, quite an awesome sight. For those interested we're looking at organising some adult teams for next year, so let us know if interested in participating and we'll email you (~16 - 18 per team). Great community spirit with bands and tents for those who choose to get some sleep through the night!!
Also Pastor Rob from St John's has offered to shave his head as a fund raiser for 3 charities in support of Lauren and kids with cancer. This would have to be the mother of all head shaves, - have a look at the before photos!!!. Rob is being 'shaved' at 10:30am chapel service, Sunday 4th May at Concordia College chapel for those interested. One great thing about the Sydney move being delayed is we'll now get to see this huge event live. The three charities Rob is supporting by his shave are:
1) Hudson Maher Foundation www.hudsonmaher.com.au
2) Leukaemia Foundation www.leukaemia.org.au
3) Childhood Cancer Association www.childhoodcancer.asn.au
You can pledge your support for Rob's shave or get further details at shavepastorrobshead@yahoo.com and make the donation via the church or direct to the charities above. I understand the oldies in the community are digging deep as they've always wanted the ponytail to go. They might even auction the ponytail off at a later date!!! Will be one of 2 gutsiest head shaves I'll have seen to date!!! Well done Rob. Beanies are in this winter. Rob so far has raised around $3,000 and counting!!! Will keep you updated on this. Wait for the after photos.
The school communities of St John's primary school & church & Concordia College have raised heaps for cancer charities with everything they've done over the last couple of months, which is an amazing effort for such a small community. Not to mention all the meals they've prepared for us over the last 6+ months which "Thank You" doesn't seem enough to show our appreciation. We certainly are grateful & lucky to be involved in such a caring & close community and thank all the staff, parents & kids of all 3 organisations.
Kate & Nathan spent last weekend on a SIBS camp with Camp Quality which gave us a suitable break to pack, albeit, prematurely in hindsight.
Over the next month Lauren will be on a maintenance chemo protocol to keep the leukaemic cells at bay until we re-run the tests and then hopefully go to Sydney as originally planned.
Until next update, The K's (Double click on photos if you want to expand them)
A number of people have asked about updates over the last few weeks. Sorry, but with everything going on with the move, work etc we haven't had time to do any.
Basically the last few weeks have eased because Lauren finally received some good news in that she didn't need any heavy chemo before going to Sydney as her counts were OK, ~ 2 leukaemic cells/10,000. This gave her the chance to go to school for a few days for the first time this year. We thought she'd do a couple of hours and come home, probably exhausted. Turns out she did 3 full days and had more energy than ever as a result. She also went in the survivors walk in the "Relay for Life" at Santos Stadium.
A 24 hour team event to raise funds and awareness of cancer by the Cancer Council of SA. Concordia College to its credit via teacher Dean put in 2 Year 8 teams and raised over $3,100 by the kids who participated. Some photos are attached of the
event. At night, the track was lit by candles and messages, quite an awesome sight. For those interested we're looking at organising some adult teams for next year, so let us know if interested in participating and we'll email you (~16 - 18 per team). Great community spirit with bands and tents for those who choose to get some sleep through the night!! Also Pastor Rob from St John's has offered to shave his head as a fund raiser for 3 charities in support of Lauren and kids with cancer. This would have to be the mother of all head shaves, - have a look at the before photos!!!. Rob is being 'shaved' at 10:30am chapel service, Sunday 4th May at Concordia College chapel for those interested. One great thing about the Sydney move being delayed is we'll now get to see this huge event live. The three charities Rob is supporting by his shave are:
1) Hudson Maher Foundation www.hudsonmaher.com.au
2) Leukaemia Foundation www.leukaemia.org.au
3) Childhood Cancer Association www.childhoodcancer.asn.au
You can pledge your support for Rob's shave or get further details at shavepastorrobshead@yahoo.com and make the donation via the church or direct to the charities above. I understand the oldies in the community are digging deep as they've always wanted the ponytail to go. They might even auction the ponytail off at a later date!!! Will be one of 2 gutsiest head shaves I'll have seen to date!!! Well done Rob. Beanies are in this winter. Rob so far has raised around $3,000 and counting!!! Will keep you updated on this. Wait for the after photos.The school communities of St John's primary school & church & Concordia College have raised heaps for cancer charities with everything they've done over the last couple of months, which is an amazing effort for such a small community. Not to mention all the meals they've prepared for us over the last 6+ months which "Thank You" doesn't seem enough to show our appreciation. We certainly are grateful & lucky to be involved in such a caring & close community and thank all the staff, parents & kids of all 3 organisations.
Kate & Nathan spent last weekend on a SIBS camp with Camp Quality which gave us a suitable break to pack, albeit, prematurely in hindsight.
Over the next month Lauren will be on a maintenance chemo protocol to keep the leukaemic cells at bay until we re-run the tests and then hopefully go to Sydney as originally planned.
Until next update, The K's (Double click on photos if you want to expand them)
Friday 18 April 2008
Update #11. Transplant postponed at 11th Hour
Will have to update you more later, but we've just found out Lauren's transplant has been postponed. From tests over the last 2 weeks, a lesion is evident in her lung exactly where the pneumonia was a few weeks or months ago (lost track of time frames). We've got to go to the hospital to meet the Dr once we all get out of the foetal position from each corner of the house. Will update you more later.
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