Charlie's Chemo treatments have been delayed at least 10 days due to his blood counts not being high enough to withstand more drugs. This is pretty common at this stage in the game. All of the doctors and nurses prepped us for it. They warned us that the 10 day "break" between Phase 1 of Delayed Intensification and Phase 2 usually saw kids with infections, hospitalizations and other delays in treatment. On Tuesday Charlie went back into Children's due to a low grade fever and double ear infections. At that point his blood counts were high enough that he did not have to be admitted to the hospital (thanks goodness) he was simply sent home on a STRONG oral antibiotic and ear drops for the next 2 weeks. His infections probably played into his counts being low on Friday causing his delay.
With his immunity so low Chad and I decided that he will not return to Pre-School until he is past this phase of Chemo and in the "Maintenance" mode. The Primrose School has been so accommodating during all of this. I even have the cell phone number for his teacher and they are holding his spot for us at no charge. So for now we are home bound, Charlie, Daniel and Mommy. Taking Charlie out to crowded places is not recommended while his ANC (immunity level) is so low. We take walks and play in the back yard every now and then. Art projects and cooking are on the activity list for this week and we have friends bringing a pizza lunch on Weds. It's hard filling the time when he gets tired and cranky so easily these days. He is also loosing his hair. there are definite bald spots, rather large ones on the back and sides of his head where his pillow rubs the weak follicles away. We may be close to shaving the rest of it off here soon so keep up with the blog, we will post pictures of his cute, chubby, bald mug!
Keep your fingers crossed that when we go back for blood counts the day after labor day that he has bounced back and can continue to fight through the rest of this treatment phase.
