Starting Phase Three

 Mirrored from: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danieljmiller/journal

After more than 2 weeks of delays, Daniel's blood counts were high enough today to start the next round of chemo treatments; in fact, they were the highest they've been for some time.  That was certainly good news.  It needed to be above 750 (which it hasn't been for a couple weeks), and today it was 2700, the highest it's been in a month and a half.  So we were really happy to begin this new phase on such a positive note.

The day began with a spinal tap and a dose of Methotrexate into his spinal fluid as we've done so many times before. It went off reasonably well though the anesthesiologist had difficulty getting him fully out and there were a couple of painful false-starts before he was completely out.  Dad dislikes this VERY much and has pretty short patience when hospital staff treats his son like anything other than royalty or gets in a hurry.  But such is life.  After it was all over, Daniel didn't remember a thing and I didn't tell him.

As soon as he was "recovered" they brought us back up to the 5th flood (Hematology / Oncology, or "HemOnc" for short) - our home away from home these past 4 months.  I left to go back home and get some chores done while Andrea stayed.  About 6 they began what we came for - what they refer to as "High Dose Methotrexate".  He's received this drug a number of times in the past, but only into the spinal fluid and in much lower doses.  Like several other chemo drugs, it prevents the DNA synthesis of fast-growing cells such as those found in hair follicles, the lining of the gastrointestinal system and urinary tract, and of course, the cancer cells themselves.  Normally, the drug is administered into the body and then the kidneys filter it out.  Unfortunately, in kids, the rate at which the kidneys filter out the drug can vary considerably or even decide not to work at all.  Because of this, they need to watch him very carefully after the drug is administered and take regular measurements of how much of the drug is left in his bloodstream.  This is how they determine how fast his kidneys are filtering out the drug.  If things are going too slow, they do have another drug they can give him which causes the kidneys to quickly rid it from the body, but this is only used as a last resort.

Being a powerful and toxic chemical though, there are always dangerous potential side effects.  The usual are things like headaches and nausea (which Daniel has had a fair amount of today). But there are worse possibilities - some MUCH worse.

Of course we hope for the best, in which case the drug should be completely gone from his system in a matter of 3-4 days and we'll be released.  But as always, we request constant prayer cover that everything will go smoothly and with a minimum of side-effects.

We also that Daniel (and whoever is here with him) will be able to rest comfortably.  Unlike our first visit which spoiled us in a private room, our last two admissions have been in double-rooms with roomates (or their parents) who snore rather loudly.  In fact, I'm listening to that very thing as I type this.  Luckily, I brought ear plugs this time, but I don't like wearing them because I won't hear Daniel during the night.

We also request and urge each of you to pray fervently and regularly for our friends the Kellers and their son Joey who are here in the HemOnc ward with us.  Joey is facing an enormous battle with brain & spinal cancer and has recently suffered a number of setbacks.  He is here in a quarantine room as they believe he may have an infection on top of the cancer relapse.  He is in desperate need of a touch from our Father's hand and we pray for exactly that.


Visit Joey and the Kellers here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joeykeller

Grace and peace to you all,

- Tim -