The Journey Begins

Wednesday
March 27, 2013
Room: 020, 3rd Floor MRH
Nurses: Jamie, Wendy and Susanne

Your Dad and I decided we needed to blog your journey while you are battling cancer, so you would be able look back and see the fight you endured and won.

For about 4 weeks previous to March 27th, you had been at home and told us you were "sick". School had called Mom and told her you had been napping at school again, but would wake up screaming.  Also, they noticed that you would not play with the other kids and just wanted to snuggle with the teachers.  Mom came to pick you up and thought it must be another ear infection.  A few months earlier you had gotten an ear infection but no fever or any signs, it took a doctor to determine, so Mom took you straight to walk-in.  The doctor looked you all over and gave you the all clear, so home you went but were still off.  Some time passed and nothing seemed to improve, if anything you seemed to more consistent in not sleeping (you were now in our bed with us or sometimes just Mom).  When Mom napped, you napped and you just wanted to cuddle.  You would sit on the couch with anyone and watch anything on TV, even your Mom's soap operas.  Mom's surgery was getting close so we decided to take you to Dr.Harrison before we left to get checked out again.  He thinks you may be stressed about mom and should snap out as mom recovers.  On the evening of March 11th, your Mom and I left for Calgary and her back surgery would be the next day.  Your sisters and you are staying at the house with Nanni and Poppa at night while Grandma and Grandpa watch after school and Morgan watches you during the day.  While we are away Morgan takes you to see Dr.Harrison again and he refers you to a Pediatrician, but neither can find something medically wrong.

March 15th your Dad and I returned from my surgery, but you had not improved at all.  We stayed home though the weekend and you spent lots of time on the couch with Dad and some time in bed with me.  On Tuesday night you just could not be calmed down at bed time and Dad took you to the ER.  They found what they thought was an ear infection and gave you an antibiotic.  After 2 days of drugs we had to go to Harrison for your mom and took you along.  He figured you might have been affected by the change in our routine and that you were worried about me or may of felt abandoned when we left, but there was no sign of having an ear infection. The other thing that puzzles your Dad, the doctors and I was that you would randomly have spurts of energy. You even hid on Dr. Harrison when we took you in and ran down the hallway. Just a few days ago you were playing soccer with Abbi and Gracie.  We took you home and that night you were up till about 1:30 and than had a good pee and were off to sleep.  Your Dad could not sleep with this new discovery and researched the symptoms, and thought it could be an UTI.  After talking with Dr. Harrison, we changed the antibiotics did a urine sample and went home for the weekend.  We both started to get really worried because you weren't sleeping, you had little to no energy, your eyes were puffy. I knew you did not look like yourself and I finally told your Dad I wasn't going to settle for anything but a diagnosis that made sense. We had you back to Dr. Harrison yesterday and he did make a referral to Dr. Foulston (Pediatrician) and you have an appointment with her today.

Dr. Foulston did an examination on you and she is worried too. She suggests to your Dad and I that we need to admit you to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital so they can run some tests on you. You Dad and I both agree. At this point I am scared of having to go to the hospital, but knowing we could find out what is bothering you helps. I am a little anxious to get the tests rolling.

They brought you to your room and tried to get you settled. You didn't want to be there.  They took blood, booked a series of all possible exams for tomorrow and I went home to be with your sisters for the night.  Tomorrow could be a long day, but we are optimistic we will get the answers we need and be home soon.

Love you buddy,

Mom and Dad