Logan, Round 5 Rough Start

Logan vomited at least 5 times yesterday. I don’t know how else to convey chemotherapy’s impact upon those being treated. It is a horrible experience both for the patient and for loved ones walking alongside them. From the start this blog has been an outlet for me to put into words what Logan and his family are experiencing during this journey. To get it out of my head.

But my objective has changed over the last couple of months. I am writing for an audience of one, Logan. So that as he grows older he has a record of the fire he walked through early in his life. So he knows that whatever challenges he will face – and we all know that more will come – that he already has successfully beat leukemia. That he can persevere against any challenge. Because cancer fights are as significant a challenge as any will face.

Admission

Logan had been out of the hospital for more than a month since Round 4, and the family has been anxious to begin Round 5. As I wrote in previous blogs, Logan’s ANC was not at a level that would allow the chemo to begin. On Wednesday Logan’s blood was tested. He also received an injection of a stimulant (GCS-F) to encourage growth of ANC. Who knew that such a thing existed? With that injection, there was a chance he could be admitted Thursday. As Amanda worked, Donna accompanied Logan and AJ to the hospital on Thursday to keep Logan busy during the wait. AJ texted me that ANC was just above 500, and the plan was for Logan to return and be admitted Friday. But then another text arrived soon after with “Nope, starting chemo today.”

And the wait for a hospital room began. The original plan was an admission for 3 days of chemo, discharge for about a week, then readmission for more chemo. But given the lower ANC starting point, the plan morphed into one, long hospital stay.

A Massive Chemo Dose

After the scramble to get into the room and as he slept, Logan had a 3 -hour long dose of chemo pumped into his body. Past doses of the various chemo drugs were 15- or 30-minute infusions. So his little body was hammered. It was a difficult night.

When I arrived on Friday at 7:30a, the little family was looking kinda rough. I walked into the room and asked AJ if he had slept. He replied, “A little.” Amada needed to work, so the plan was for them to go to our home for AJ to sleep and for Amanda to log on.

Early that morning Logan was doing OK. We were playing, and listening to a Spotify “80’s” music mix. The PA and the doctor did rounds. Speech therapy arrived and observed and gave some pointers. Drugs were administered. Donna then came so I could go to work.

Nausea

Donna called me while I was in a lunch meeting and let me know that Logan was nauseous and vomiting. And her clothes had hazardous chemo-vomit on them. With Amanda and AJ needing to work and rest for what would likely be a tough night, I adjusted my schedule. A co-worker found a logo t-shirt that Donna could use, and I headed back to the hospital so she could go home and shower.

Logan was sleeping when I arrived – see the pic above. Forewarned regarding the nausea, I had gloves and towels and wipes at the ready. And the call button so I could get some help if needed. He began fitfully sleeping, or more accurately, writhing. Something was not right with him. When Logan sat up and began belching, I was able to prepare and hold a towel under his chin to catch the vomit.

And this happened three more times. It’s likely that we all have helped those sick with flu-like symptoms as they curl over a toilet. Tough to do. So you can imagine how absolutely heartbreaking it was to watch this sweet little boy get sick time after time. For him to not understand what is happening. To hold him and to keep the chemo-vomit away from him. To just let it happen. Tears that have not flowed in months returned to me. But know that Logan’s personality shined through each time the nurse would leave the room after he got sick. He would lethargically raise his little arm a bit, and give the nurse a slow wave goodbye. Precious.

A Long Stay

When the doctor did rounds that morning, he noted that this Round 5 was going to be a long stay in the hospital. Since Logan was first admitted last Fall, the treatment protocol number of rounds changed from 4 to 5. I asked about that, and he said that research has shown that the fifth round is necessary to increase the odds that the cancer does not return. And he admitted that this has to be balanced with the damage that the chemo does, the side effects that are inevitable.

As Logan and Amanda and AJ begin this last round of chemo, please continue to think of them and pray for them. Pray for all cancer patients and their families. We love you and are grateful knowing so many are supportive.