I thought I had posted this yesterday, but I think I only shared the link about our fundraiser. About that fundraiser ... we are completely blown away by this incredible response of support. Paul wrote this yesterday, and I've made a few changes to it, based on new information from our team today. We have been taking in SO MUCH info, that it's been hard to keep all the facts straight. Sorry for the delay, I thought I had already put this out there. :)
We had our "Family Meeting" at 1:00 on Friday April 11 to find out what this journey of fighting Jaxon's Leukemia will entail.
1. The type of cancer is Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.)
2. Here's a general timeline...
- First month: He received his first dose of IV chemo (Vincristine) today, as well as several other supplemental oral medicines to counter various side effects of the chemo. He will take those supplemental oral medicines for 28 days. He will receive Vincristine once on each of the next 3 Saturdays. He will receive another important medication (starts with a P, that's all I know) on Tuesday (Day 4). On Days 8 & 29 he will have an injection to protect his spinal fluid from the cancer cells. He already received one dose of this on Thursday when he was sedated for his bone marrow biopsy. Jaxon will lose his hair, be irritable, hungry, (hungry + angry = HANGRY ... our Doc loved that new word), put on weight, and generally not be himself. We have been told that this is the "grin and bear it" time...it will get better! He will be here at BCCH for one more week, then it is expected that we will be discharged to local accommodation for another week so that he can come back regularly for blood count checks and the next dose of Vincristine. At that point it may be possible for us to return HOME where he could have some check-ups and chemo in Victoria or Nanaimo.
- Next seven months: "Regular" visits for IV chemo, daily oral chemo, regular checkups at a hospital, possible hair growth, improved ability to play and interact but somewhat limited.
- Last 2-1/2 years (So, 3yrs total!): This is called the "Maintenance" period. Jaxon will take daily oral chemo, have regular checkups, will be susceptible to a few reactions more than normal but will for the most part be a growing little boy.
So, at the end of the three year term Jaxon will have a clean bill of health and is expected to be fully cured of cancer!
3. Paul and I are overwhelmed at the hundreds (if not thousands!) of people supporting us through this already. Your many prayers have bolstered our faith and God's peace is with us.
4. Some of you have been asking about financial implications through this time. We really don't know what those will be and didn't anticipate that so many would want to help in this way, so our friends have made an online fundraiser on our behalf that you can contribute to if you want to support in that specific way. On the one hand I am torn about this because there are so many others that could use help in this department more than us. On the other hand, I know from personal experience what a blessing is to give (especially to a specific need) and do not want to get in the way of people being blessed through generosity. So, below is a link to our fundraising page if you feel so led to support us in that way.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. This next month will be the toughest, so pray for courage and strength as we watch our little brave boy take this battle head-on!
5. I really need to start a blog.
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