Tim, Gerri & Matthew arrived at the Brisbane RCH catching an early flight and with only 2 suitcases packed. Tim seems well and enjoyed the trip.Nov 30… day 1
(see photo of him at McDonalds Melb Airport) We got a warm welcome at the
hospital and were shown around the ward and settled in beautifully. The
staff are lovely and we have lots of hope.
We are in one of the BMT rooms and think this is a good omen. Tim is in great spirits. Met with Tim’s oncologist Dr Kent Robertson. He had fun with Tim and Tim’s seem comfortable. Chemo starts tomorrow and Kent is very positive but can not give any promises. Tim’s disease is very aggressive and will be treated accordingly to gain some control with the hope when (if) his bone marrow recovers it will be without blast cells—hence remission. Starting tomorrow his body will be introduced to some drugs he has never seen before. On Thursday he is due to go to theatre for a lumbar puncture again with some new drugs (but that depends on how his blood is going)
Tim is likely to be in hospital 5-6 weeks and probably very sick. We will have to wait and see, Tim’s mind and body will determine how things progress. Kent would then like us out for a short break (a few days) prior to BMT to give Tim a bit of time away from hospital. Fingers crossed we get to that stage. Again it is the unknown and unpredictability. We must take it one day at a time.
Due to the fact Tim is not eating he has had a NG tube inserted up his nose for feeding. Tim hates the tube but the good thing is all his oral drugs go down it—that made him a bit happier—sometimes have to be cruel to be kind, but Tim needs to be fit and strong and have nutrition if he is going to make it.
Matt has been fantastic and is not only being a great son and brother, but also a good friend for Tim and very supportive. (Even though Tim beat him at chess)
Matt & Gerri have their own beds in Tim’s room for tonight and tomorrow with breakfast supplied by the hospital. From Monday we will have a room at Leonard Lodge (RCH on-site accommodation)
Philip, Jessica, Sarah, Andrew & Nicholas spent the weekend preparing to leave for Qld on Wednesday. They thank all the family “cleaners” who got the house looking spotless. Miffy is preparing herself for her new kennel lodgings including a daily walk. She can do with the exercise.
A big thank you to all the friends and family who have supported us over the past 18 months, and especially those that have been around over the last week or so as our family faces a challenge we can only pray will work.
SUNDAY Dec 1…day 2
Tim had a good nights sleep. We were all very tired. Lots of blood tests taken all via port (much kinder than peripherally) including HLA tissue type testing to double check Matt is compatible.Tim has not eaten or drunk anything. The NG feeds have increased so he is probably not hungry anyway.
Chemo started—so far tolerating it. He does have some minor mouth ulcers but the nurses are doing mouth wash every 6 hours to help.
Given 4 units of platelets prior to chemo
MONDAY DEC 2….day 3
1.00am Tim vomited and this brought up NG tube out his mouth. It had to be removed back through his nose (not very pleasant for him)He did well to tolerate the feeds for as long as he did considering he had 3 different chemo drugs (4 hours worth over 8 hours). First drug was IDARUBICIN followed by FLUDARABINE and then a big dose of ARA-C.
The NG stayed out overnight and Tim had a good night’s sleep. He woke in good spirits, laughing with Matt and having some good silly fun.
7.50am Tim looks really well, sitting up eating fresh fruit salad (mainly his favorite—water melon) watching Foxtel cartoons. NG tube out until 7.30pm
Chemo went ahead without any problems.