Day 15

We are halfway through the induction phase. The clinic visit went well this morning. All of Grant's counts were good. He will not need any transfusions right now. However, his neutrophil count went down from 260 to 170 since we left the hospital. Anything below 500 is HIGH risk of infection. We just have to be extremely careful when his number is that low.
The clinic has a playroom with toys, movies, and lots of snacks. He did well most of the time except the 10-15 min. when they were accessing his port, taking a blood sample, and administering the chemo treatment. The only thing that should hurt is the prick of the needle going into the port. However, he is so fearful, he cried the whole time he was in the treatment room. The good news is that he seemed to recover quickly. He seemed fine as soon as he left the treatment room. By the time we left, he was eating another snack and asking for tater tots.
The kid talks about food all the time. He's eating more than normal, but a lot of it is talk. He only eats a few bites of something and then decides he wants something else. Last night, he came in our room and got in our bed at 3 a.m. We had a 30 min. conversation about the things he likes to eat and what he wanted to have for breakfast. He has put on 2 lbs. since we left the hospital. His tummy is really sticking out and his face is filling out. He got really puny at the hospital so we were glad to see he was gaining some weight. But, the doctor said today that he would probably pass up looking "normal" pretty fast. The drugs will make him look a little swollen.
Grant was playing with his doctor's kit today. He was getting very frustrated with Trent when he wouldn't stand still to take his medicine or get his temperature taken. Then he came in the room with the blood pressure cuff saying, "It's just a little hug, just a little hug." Do you think he's heard that a few times before?! I'm just glad to see Grant playing more today, especially with Trent.
We are having a good day!