A hard day, but not a bad day

Wednesday night, we gave James some GoLYTLELY through his feeding tube to help clean out his intestines which aren't working much due to the ileus. Interestingly, it's the same stuff given to folks to drink the night before a colonoscopy. Of course, James was to get much less! Early Thurdsay morning, it became apparent that the bed actually soaked up more of James' GoLYTELY than James did. Most of it leaked out the little medicine port in his feeding tube. His G-tube secretions had actually gotten worse. On top of all that, James already had a big day scheduled with a bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap and at least one chemo treatment, if not two.

It was too aggravating for James for me to be within sight, since he was so hungry and wanted so badly to nurse. Hannah was a wonderful big sister, doing her best to comfort James before the big event. Cori, the child life specialist taught Hannah some tricks with a "distraction kit". Bubbles were the biggest hit with James.

I stood around a corner, out of sight, watching James by using the digital camera--the staff got a kick out of that. I got some pictures. I decided that I wasn't going to let it get me that I couldn't comfort him, knowing I would be a better comforter after it was all over.

Now I've never been great with blood, or needles either for that matter. This procedure involved both. It was interesting. To Vern, it would have been fascinating (except for the fact that it was his little boy). But I couldn't make it through the whole thing, even though I was actually on the easier-to-view side. Hannah was watching the procedure side and I was amazed she lasted as long as she did. Even though James was sedated, he would occasionally cry out or wince and we were assured that when they do this same procedure on older children, they always tell the doctors and nurses they don't remember what happened nor do they remember any pain. Of course, gathering bone marrow and spinal fluid involves some serious poking and that was hard to watch for me. Once they were done with the procedure, someone came to get us and we were able to be there with James as he woke up. He had some growls for us and, later, some sweet kisses.

The rest of the day was very appropriate for the cloudy weather outside. There was lots of snuggling and nursing and just being glad to be together.

Today, we await the results of the bone marrow biopsy. In the meantime, James got another dose of GoLYTLEY last night, which seems to have hit it's target. His bowels are active again and we are introducing food. A hungry little James is certainly happy about this turn of events.

Your notes and comments are a blessing and encouragement to us... thanks for taking the time to comment.

Love, Stephanie