tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:18:04 +00002011MarchFebruarybmtleukemia2010AMLAprilday 0radiationsurgery"Transplant Day"Day 11Day 14EglestonJanNYCPICUtumor"April 20CVLDay 10Day 13Day 16Day 20Day 21Day 24Day 26Day 27Day 34Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 8Day 9February 17thTroop 774Williamchemochoachoresday 15day 2day 7day3foodhomepneumoniatestingtreatmentwhite blood cellshttp://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)Blogger102125en-ustag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-7004127848081729843Fri, 25 Apr 2014 00:44:00 +00002014-04-24T20:44:33.182-04:00homeradiationWilliamChase's radiation treatments have gone much smoother this week than they started last week.  I think he's down to about 15 minutes in the machine now.   Thankfully, he's also having less discomfort in his neck/incision area.  I think having the weekend off from treatment has given his body more time to recuperate, which makes me thankful that he only had to go two days before a http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/april-23-24th-update-on-treatment-plan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-4179794164154238356Mon, 21 Apr 2014 13:52:00 +00002014-04-21T09:54:57.038-04:00radiationThankfully, there isn't a lot to report in this post!! Day 2 of radiation went much smoother than the first day. He was only in the room for about 15 - 20 minutes this time. I think it would've been shorter, but they keep having to re-align him on the table. At one point, his technician came out and asked if he had scoliosis. Although he's never been officially diagnosed with it or treated http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/day-2-of-radiation-brother-time-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-8440536836248992581Fri, 18 Apr 2014 04:07:00 +00002014-04-18T00:07:03.399-04:00radiationChase and I both stayed up far too late last night (1:00 am).  I was writing his blog and he was playing around with his new phone.  Naturally, I tried to blame keeping me up so late on him, but he called me on it.  The boy is getting wise to my tricks.  Oh well.  Since we went to bed late, we tried our best to sleep in today.  For the record, he succeeded far betterhttp://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/day-1-of-radiation-not-without.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-1043960712063263796Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:34:00 +00002014-04-17T00:34:42.445-04:00Yesterday, April 15th, was a long day. It all started at 5:00 am when a nurse technician arrived to take Chase's blood in preparation for his MRI, for which he would be sedated. Although there are at least three lights in the room that would provide ample illumination without blinding someone into full alert mode, none of these technicians seem so realize this. Note to self: Mark the light http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/mris-bladder-woes-hospital-brain-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-558326941669346877Tue, 15 Apr 2014 01:59:00 +00002014-04-14T22:09:35.479-04:00Yesterday, a bed opened up for Chase on the Aflac floor, so we are now back into our more "normal" habitat. Yay! He did manage to talk the doctors into letting him keep the catheter, which is still in place this afternoon. I'm kind of glad they did, because right now it's a huge effort for him to move his body into a different position. Chase's Dad (David) got him moved into his room whilehttp://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/april-14-2014-waiting-for-newsstinks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-6230416744506358037Sun, 13 Apr 2014 20:15:00 +00002014-04-13T16:15:20.340-04:00PICUsurgerytumor First, we have some more information about the test results. They aren't all back in yet, but we know a bit more than we did before. It is confirmed that the tumor is made of AML (leukemia) cells. He also has leukemia cells in his spinal fluid, which isn't surprising when you consider that's where the tumor is located. However, the preliminary tests on his bone marrow are clean - no http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-day-after-surgery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-1151024375891537395Sat, 12 Apr 2014 18:54:00 +00002014-04-12T17:00:52.798-04:00EglestonPICUsurgerytumorI left Chase with the surgeons this morning around 8:30.  They told me it would take an hour to prep him for the actual surgery, everything should take 3 to 4 hours, and that I should expect a call once they started the surgery. In the meantime, I ate breakfast and Jan Masingill, one of my bosses, dropped by the hospital on her way out of town for Spring Break.  She delivered a card http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/finally-out-of-surgery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, 1405 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta33.793846 -84.31992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-6334120589998107496Sat, 12 Apr 2014 02:53:00 +00002014-04-11T22:53:20.137-04:00 I need to ask for your prayers for Chase. He was admitted to Egleston last night after we came to the ER due to shoulder and neck pain that has grown progressively worse over the past few months in spite of meds and PT. He had an MRI this morning that revealed a tumor (2cm x 3cm x 4cm) pressing against his spinal cord at the base of his neck/shoulder line.  He's scheduled for surgery http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2014/04/asking-for-prayers-once-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-2013955274625582813Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:17:00 +00002011-09-10T17:17:53.401-04:00Aflac Childhood Cancer Awareness Banner Originally uploaded by cbuckyVia Flickr:Please use this link to join Aflac's cause against childhood cancer. www.causes.com/causes/91022-aflac-cancer-center-and-blood...For every person who joins, they'll donate $2. No commitment other than joining on your part. 1 in 4 children are diagnosed with childhood cancer every year and 20 to 25% of those will http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-is-childhood-cancer-awareness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-4038340785820580753Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:48:00 +00002011-05-02T21:48:03.942-04:00Today, Chase is back at CHOA for a bone marrow aspiration, a spinal tap, and a biopsy of his esophagus, stomach, and lower intestine. We knew he would be getting the bone marrow aspiration and spinal tap at some point, but the need for the biopsy is due to possible GVHD. GVHD or Graft versus Host Disease occurs when the donor's marrow begins to see the recipient's body as "foreign" and sends http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-68-biopsy-bma-spinal-tap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-2790659807409783173Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:26:00 +00002011-03-23T19:25:53.671-04:002011Day 34MarchToday started early - at least early for Chase.  Carissa stopped by around 10:00 am this morning with an intern from Georgia State.  Boy, did I expect him to fuss and try to negotiate his way into sleeping later.  Oddly enough, he didn't.  He was slow about getting up and putting on his shoes and mask, but he did it.  And without his walker!! I am SO incredibly proud of http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/wednesday-march-23-day-34.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-6954468354322214793Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:46:00 +00002011-03-23T17:49:23.811-04:002011Day 27MarchWednesday, March 16, 2011  Day +27 As I mentioned in my previous post, I woke up at 6:45 this morning and realized I had fallen asleep on the sofa with Chase.  It was something of a tight squeeze to say the least, but I felt like I slept pretty well in spite of it.  Chase certainly seemed to have had a peaceful night.  I don't recall him waking up coughing or waking up for http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/wednesday-march-16-2011-day-27.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-1549180276522804234Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:00:00 +00002011-03-23T17:47:59.758-04:002011Day 26MarchTuesday, March 15, 2011: Day +26 Well, last night was not restful at all, and this morning didn't start any better.  Without warning, Chase woke up while it was still dark outside, not sure of the time, and got sick.  I'm fairly certain it was the oral Cyclosporine he had taken the previous evening that did it.  He hasn't really eaten anything of significance, and now taking medshttp://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/tuesday-march-15-2011-day-26.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-6899351358240487768Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:20:00 +00002011-03-16T23:22:09.820-04:002011Day 24MarchSaturday, March 12: Day +23 The best thing about the weekends here at Egleston? No doctor parade!! We can actually sleep in and that's exactly what we did.  I was up late writing and posting to Chase's blog until about 3:00 am, so I didn't actually get out of bed until well after noon.  Trust me, it's not like sleeping in at home.  There are still nurses, doctors, and others cominghttp://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-march-12-2011-day-24.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-7677261360700426908Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:00:00 +00002011-03-16T23:19:03.862-04:002011Day 20Day 21MarchNote:  Today is Wednesday, March 16th, and I'm getting so far behind that I'm not sure when I'll be able to write up the days between these and the previous post.  I thought I might as well get this up since it's seven days old. :) Thank you for the continued prayers!!! Wednesday, March 9: Day +20 As tired as I was Tuesday evening from sinuses acting up, I decided to stay the night http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/wed-thursday-march-9-10-days-20-and-21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-9049833169365337370Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +00002011-03-12T02:01:25.878-05:002011Day 16March Today began with one of the quietest nights we've had around here in a very longtime. For the past two evening shifts, we've had Kari. I don't recall having her take care of Chase too often, but she has always been so sweet and last night she was a blessing!! Before we settled down, she promised to try and catch the beeps before they happened. I know that isn't always possible because they are http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-march-5-day-16.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-8221079351562266825Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:00:00 +00002011-03-12T02:01:14.804-05:002011day 15FebruaryQuick Note (3/12/11) Please pardon my rambling and probably repetitious writing in my posts.  I've been writing whenever I can during these weeks, sometimes just jotting down notes.  Some posts were nearly complete but with gaps between the days, I held them from publishing. After re-reading some of them, especially from this week, I can see my mind was all over the place.  I http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/friday-march-4th-day-15.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-4163493629099570597Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:59:00 +00002011-03-12T02:01:06.270-05:002011Day 14MarchMarch 3, 2011 : Day 14 Today we are two weeks post transplant. Lately, I've had quite a few people say to me, in one form or another, "Where do you get your strength?" "I don't know how you do it." To which I sometimes reply, "I wish I knew."  There is no simple answer. Somewhere, somehow there is this source you pull from so you can do what you need to do when your child's life is http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-14-please-excuse-this-selfish-self.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-1743790094786353845Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:30:00 +00002011-03-12T02:01:00.902-05:002011Day 14MarchI'd like to start off this post by saying we've had great improvement.  Emphasis on "like to say".  Chase is in his second or third (I've lost count) of high fevers reaching 104 degrees!!  Yes, this is mounting frustration you are hearing...reading.  We haven't seen signs of his blood counts coming in just yet, but his lips along with the bleeding in his mouth do seem to be http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/thursday-march-3-2011-day-14.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-2025145603696396321Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:00:00 +00002011-03-12T02:00:54.238-05:002011Day 13MarchWednesday, March 2, 2011: Day 13 First, I would like to wish my Grandmother a speedy recovery.  Unfortunately, she fell yesterday, but thankfully she had a medical alert necklace she wears, and was able to get assistance right away. As I was with William today, I'm relying on texts from my mom for updates about Chase's day. In addition to all of the doctors that have already come to see http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/wednesday-march-2-2011-day-13.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-5659915338915176663Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:13:00 +00002011-03-11T01:14:11.328-05:002011Day 11MarchTuesday, March 1st: Day +12 Chase has had fevers consistently for over a week now.  He's seen doctors from probably just about every applicable department concerning his lips, all of which haven't yielded any results other than he has an infection in one of his IV lumens.  That turned out to be a staff infection, so he's now on Vancomycin.  He's Vanc sensitive. Lovely.  Thathttp://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/tuesday-march-1st-day-11.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-7483063363374237039Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:00:00 +00002011-03-07T15:52:51.453-05:002011Day 11FebruaryMonday, February 28th, 2011 Today is the last day Chase receives his last low-dose of Methotrexate chemo!! He's received four of these since transplant and it's purpose is to destroy the mature cells from the donor's marrow so they won't attack Chase's body. It's a tiny amount, but it still feels great to say he's done with chemo!! First, I slept better last night and so did Chase.  He http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/monday-february-28-2011-day-11.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-3134044786352781170Sat, 05 Mar 2011 18:30:00 +00002011-03-07T14:56:18.331-05:002011Day 10FebruaryA Note: Although the purpose of (attempting) to keep this blog is keep everyone informed on Chase's progress, my secondary purpose is to educate as well.  I never knew anyone who had gone through a bone marrow transplant - any transplant for that matter, but I assumed a marrow transplant wasn't as serious as an organ transplant. I was quite wrong.  Each transplant recipient has http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/sunday-february-27th-day-10.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-3306314437104911667Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:27:00 +00002011-03-07T13:40:03.492-05:002011Day 9FebruarySaturday, February 26, 2011 I spent the night at my mom's house last night so I could spend some time with William.  I'd like to say that I got a lot of sleep and woke up feeling refreshed, but honestly that wasn't the case.  Perhaps, my mind was on Chase and wondering how he is doing.  Regardless, I couldn't fall into a nice sleep until well after 3:00 am.  I still woke up http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-february-26th-days-9.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3445009268276176949.post-8213509063751489190Thu, 03 Mar 2011 03:50:00 +00002011-03-03T01:55:30.473-05:00Day 8FebruaryAgain, some of this was written last Friday and I've filled in the gaps in places.  I chose not to re-write what was already here, so please forgive the shift in my verb tenses. Let me start by saying I really do not like leaving Chase when he is in this condition.  I know my Mom is with him and she will take care of him.  I know the nurses and doctors are there for him, but when http://tenderfootsmission.blogspot.com/2011/03/friday-february-25-day-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bucky-Beaver)3