November 26, 2011

We brought Jackson to the hospital today. They checked his blood counts and although his counts are very low they are not quite low enough for a transfusion. The doctors are going to call us to come in Monday or Tuesday to get his transfusions instead.

November 25, 2011

Just asking for prayer for us tomorrow.  We need to take Jackson to the ER tomorrow to get his blood checked and probably get some transfusions.  When we left the hospital last Friday the doctor told us to call if he starts to bruise badly before his clinic appointment on the 29th.  Today we discovered a quarter sized nasty bruise on his arm.  We called the hospital and they said it could wait until tomorrow but to bring him in.  It will be a long process because they have to actually admit him to the hospital to get transfusions on the weekend....and as everybody knows, everything always happens on the weekend when no one but the ER is opened.  We appreciate your prayers~

Calling all prayer warriors...

Usually Erik and I use this blog to update everyone on Jackson...but today I am asking for prayer for my mother.  I don't know how many of you out there are aware of this ( I hope she doesn't mind me sharing)  but my mom is currently battling lung cancer.  She went through chemo and radiation, and at this point from my understanding is that they don't feel they can cure it, they are just going to try and maintain it from getting worse.  The cancer has spread to places on her back bone and rib.  She has gone through radiation to help get rid of those spots.  My prayer request for you is to pray about her pain.  She is in an unbelievable amount of pain.  They have tried giving her pain meds but those seem to make her nauseous  and out of it.  She was admitted last night to a hospital to help with the pain.  I have not spoken with her because of the pain she was in just with the people who are with her.  Please pray that they will figure out what needs to be done to help get rid of the pain.  My heart hurts tonight that I can't be with her to comfort her.  Usually you think of your mom comforting her daughter, yet I want to comfort my mother so badly.  I ask any of you who read this to please join me in prayer for my precious mom.  Thank you.

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!

The light at the end of the tunnel has finally arrived!  Kinda. Today we brought Jackson home from his 6th and final round of Chemo!!!!!! This round they gave him his chemo and released him immediately. He is still on house arrest due to his blood counts dropping and elevating in the next 2 weeks. We are more than excited to be home with our dear child. In Alyssa's terms.... YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Jackson still needs to go back in to the hospital to have his blood checked and to see if he needs a blood or platelet transfusion, he will need to have surgery to remove his PICline, and he needs one more bone marrow biopsy.  

You know that moment when you finish a task, trial, or obstacle, and you look back after it is over, thinking about what it took to accomplish it, well as we walked out of our little "vacation" home in the hospital, whether it was this room or that, we both teared up a little and had a big sigh of relief. It overwhelms our hearts and we get emotional and thankful that the process is basically complete. Please don't get me wrong, sadly the process is not over. For the next 2 months he will have to go in periodically to have a check up, blood, or a bone marrow biopsy. Then as for hospital visits, we begin the process of check ups with the doctor once a month or once every two months for the next 4-5 years. The hardest emotional task seems to be behind us now,  but prayers for no re-occurrence  of leukemia and heart issues would be GREATLY appreciated.

 Tonight as we were waiting to be discharged we spread out Jackson's beads of courage on the couch and started to count them.  It was amazing how much strength Jackson has shown over the last 8 months. Out of all the beads that he has earned, we have created a little list of his accomplishments. Below are only a few of Jackson's battle wounds of courage:
- 688 Total Beads
- 116 Night stays in the hospital
- 178 Sticks/Pokes
- 21 fevers ( from 100 degrees to 106.9 degrees)
- 6 surgeries
- 5 bone marrow biopsies
- 100's of other numbers from chemo, antibiotics, blood, platelets, etc...
- And most importantly 1 BIG SMILE

Giving God the glory for his work in Jackson and the work He will continue to do!

November 16,2011

So so soooo thankful that my baby has been fever free for 2 days!!!!! Thank you for all your prayers.....continuing to pray that the fevers continue to stay away. On a side note I have been sick with a nasty cold and I have had to stay away from Jackson I am hoping I get better soon so I can be with my baby...please pray that this goes away quickly :-)

November 13, 2011

Asking for prayer for our sweet baby...his temperature is really spiking this round last night it got up to 41.5c (106.9 degrees F)  I was pretty panicked but the nurses say it can get up that high with chemo.  It has gone down since then but it keeps going up, give tylenol, goes down...and repeat.  He is feeling pretty miserable.  All he wants is to be held and cuddled...and frankly I don't blame him.  Even though Erik and I know it is his last round...he doesn't understand that, he just knows that he feels yucky.  We would appreciate your prayers that he would begin to feel better. 

November 11, 2011

So after a very long day of waiting in different areas of the hospital Jackson was finally admitted and chemo was started at about 6:30 tonight.  Everybody was so excited for us that this is his last round.  It was strange, they put us in the same room we were in for the first round of chemo...very fitting...finishing where we began. :-)  Please pray that his new PICline will work well and that it will last as long as needed.  Please pray that Jackson will not get an infection or fever.  We are also hoping and praying that all will go as planned and he can come home next weekend. 

November 10, 2011

So, tomorrow we head back to the hospital.  He was supposed to be readmitted last week, but one of his blood counts wasn't quite high enough yet.  We enjoyed the extra time at home.  We are praying that his counts will be where they need to be to get this last round started tomorrow.  We have to be there at 8:30 tomorrow morning.  They will draw blood to get his counts and then if they are good he will be sent down to where they will place his temporary line (he will be put to sleep for this).  Once the line has been placed they will get things in order to get him admitted, put in a room, and get his LAST round of chemo started!!!  Please pray for us tomorrow, that everything will go smoothly.  Also, Jackson can't eat anything tomorrow until his procedure is over, and he will be very hungry and grumpy.
Finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,
Erik and Alyssa