Hello all,
Braxton is doing very well after his surgery and recovering at home. he is wearing a sling to keep pressure off of his incision, and is quite swollen. Still, he's figured out how to play Wii and text on his phone.
Bayley is participating in Senior Takeover Day today, at her school. The graduating Seniors were done yesterday so today is incoming Seniors day to begin their rule:). She's very excited!
Zoe will be having an archery field trip with Girl Scouts tomorrow. Should be fun for her! And I will be bushwacking my way through the weeds to find my garden. I finished another grad class lastnight! 3 more to go...
Enjoy the weekend everyone!
-posted by Beth
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Biopsy Day
Hello everyone,
We're at the University of Minn. Hospital in the recovery room with Braxton. He went in to surgery at around 11:45. His surgeon, Dr. Clohisy, is exploring the "spot" on Braxton's right arm (his right distal humerus). The spot is about the size of an elongated quarter and is on the bone and just under the surface of the bone. They took a sample which left a small hole in the bone. Braxton will have to avoid baseball playing and golfing for a few weeks to avoid fracture. The sample has been sent away and we should get a call from Dr. Clohisy on tuesday-ish. Braxton is waking up well. No nausea so far, just tired. He'll get moved to another awake/recovery room til he is strong enough to go home. Thankyou, all, for your prayers for Braxton's treatment and recovery. He will be home til monday then will be back at the U of M for his last chemo treatment!! More later...
-posted by Beth
We're at the University of Minn. Hospital in the recovery room with Braxton. He went in to surgery at around 11:45. His surgeon, Dr. Clohisy, is exploring the "spot" on Braxton's right arm (his right distal humerus). The spot is about the size of an elongated quarter and is on the bone and just under the surface of the bone. They took a sample which left a small hole in the bone. Braxton will have to avoid baseball playing and golfing for a few weeks to avoid fracture. The sample has been sent away and we should get a call from Dr. Clohisy on tuesday-ish. Braxton is waking up well. No nausea so far, just tired. He'll get moved to another awake/recovery room til he is strong enough to go home. Thankyou, all, for your prayers for Braxton's treatment and recovery. He will be home til monday then will be back at the U of M for his last chemo treatment!! More later...
-posted by Beth
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Day 75: Homecoming & Circus Weekend Extravaganza!
It was a great weekend for Braxton and the family! Starting with the news Friday morning that Braxton was coming home, the whole weekend developed into a celebration. Throw in the fact that it was a "Circus Weekend" (a weekend when Paul & Gretchen are also with us), and it soon became an extravaganza of fun!!
The celebrating started on Friday as soon as Braxton returned home. We took Braxton to Red Robin for lunch. Braxton had a cheeseburger and fries while his mom had some sort of barbecue chicken-wrap.
When the girls returned home from school, we took everyone out for a round of mini-golf. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and it was a great day to be outdoors. Emma really enjoyed it and now calls mini-golfing her favorite thing to do.
Paul & Gretchen came down on Saturday and the house was filled with the noise of having all six children at home. Braxton played the Wii version of Tiger Woods PGA Golf and really enjoyed it. Braxton also got to go Kyaking with his mom on a local lake. They had a great time and were only mildly afraid of the giant Snapping Turtle lurking in the depths.
On Sunday we took the whole circus to the Minnesota Zoo. It was another great day! Everybody really enjoyed the zoo. Wee walked the Tropics Trail and the Minnesota Trail and then we rode the monorail. We stayed for the Dolphin show and packed up to go home.
The original plan was to stop at DQ for ice cream on the way home, but the skies grew dark and the tornado sirens sounded so we skipped the ice cream and went straight home. Some bad tornadoes touched down in Coon Rapids and Hugo, both a little north of where we live, but everything was ok for us. We went and got our DQ after dinner and after the storms had passed.
On Monday (Memorial Day) we went over to my Mom & Dad's house for some grilling and fun. Unfortunately, after finally hitting 80 degrees on Sunday, the temps dropped on Monday and it felt cold. So we ate indoors (but still grilled).
All-in-all, it was a terrific weekend. A fun-filled, Circus weekend, extravaganza for everybody!!
Welcome home, Braxton!!!
P.S. - pictures coming soon.
+ posted by David
The celebrating started on Friday as soon as Braxton returned home. We took Braxton to Red Robin for lunch. Braxton had a cheeseburger and fries while his mom had some sort of barbecue chicken-wrap.
When the girls returned home from school, we took everyone out for a round of mini-golf. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and it was a great day to be outdoors. Emma really enjoyed it and now calls mini-golfing her favorite thing to do.
Paul & Gretchen came down on Saturday and the house was filled with the noise of having all six children at home. Braxton played the Wii version of Tiger Woods PGA Golf and really enjoyed it. Braxton also got to go Kyaking with his mom on a local lake. They had a great time and were only mildly afraid of the giant Snapping Turtle lurking in the depths.
On Sunday we took the whole circus to the Minnesota Zoo. It was another great day! Everybody really enjoyed the zoo. Wee walked the Tropics Trail and the Minnesota Trail and then we rode the monorail. We stayed for the Dolphin show and packed up to go home.
The original plan was to stop at DQ for ice cream on the way home, but the skies grew dark and the tornado sirens sounded so we skipped the ice cream and went straight home. Some bad tornadoes touched down in Coon Rapids and Hugo, both a little north of where we live, but everything was ok for us. We went and got our DQ after dinner and after the storms had passed.
On Monday (Memorial Day) we went over to my Mom & Dad's house for some grilling and fun. Unfortunately, after finally hitting 80 degrees on Sunday, the temps dropped on Monday and it felt cold. So we ate indoors (but still grilled).
All-in-all, it was a terrific weekend. A fun-filled, Circus weekend, extravaganza for everybody!!
Welcome home, Braxton!!!
P.S. - pictures coming soon.
+ posted by David
Friday, May 23, 2008
Good News!
We just spoke to Braxton's doctor and he gets to go home today!
WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
We're celebrating with lunch at Red Robin.
+ posted by David
WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
We're celebrating with lunch at Red Robin.
+ posted by David
Day 71: Quiet Night
Good morning!
We had a quiet night. Braxton turned the tv off at 11:00, I set up my bed, and we went to sleep. A couple people came in during the night to check Braxton's temp, but otherwise it was very quiet. The blood-work person came in at 7:00am to draw blood. Unfortunately he had some trouble accessing Braxton's veins. Braxton didn't seem upset and he went right back to sleep.
It's 9:30am now and Braxton is still sleeping. I am working in the quiet and waiting for him to wake up so that I can open the curtains and see the sunshine.
Hopefully everything will check out this morning and we'll be able to come home.
+ Posted by David
We had a quiet night. Braxton turned the tv off at 11:00, I set up my bed, and we went to sleep. A couple people came in during the night to check Braxton's temp, but otherwise it was very quiet. The blood-work person came in at 7:00am to draw blood. Unfortunately he had some trouble accessing Braxton's veins. Braxton didn't seem upset and he went right back to sleep.
It's 9:30am now and Braxton is still sleeping. I am working in the quiet and waiting for him to wake up so that I can open the curtains and see the sunshine.
Hopefully everything will check out this morning and we'll be able to come home.
+ Posted by David
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Day 70: Almost Home
But when I arrived, he was heavily in to a game of golf on the PS2 system. The "Tiger Woods PGA Tour." He played for about two hours. Very realistic and very fun!!!
Braxton's mood seems pretty good and his counts are coming up, but the nurse just took his temperature and it's still at 100.1.
Still, we hope he can come home tomorrow. Everybody at home really really misses him and he is tired of being cooped up at the hospital.
+ posted by David
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday
Here we are in room 21 at the U of M Hospital. Braxton is still having problems getting his white blood count up. So, if anyone out there knows a wbc dance, start dancing. Dad, that means you too.
We now have a new quote of the day person. Beth, the mom, after I told her today that Braxton's wbc was still at 300, said, "I gave him the shot, Braxton was there!" I had to laugh at that one.
We had a nurse come in today and told us that maybe Braxton could get outside for a while. Brax and I thought we could walk somewhere and get a bite to eat. Well, after the blood counts came back the Doctor said no way to go out to eat and no way to even getting outside. If she would have let us outside, I was going to sneak Brax to Applebee's. You can imagine Braxton's disappointment. So instead, I ordered us food and walked over to Applebee's to pick it up. Burger and fries and grilled cheese and fries was enjoyed.
It does not look to good for Brax to get out of the Hospital Thursday as we had hoped. He had a fever of 101.1 at 10pm Tuesday night. The fever, coupled with his low blood counts spells more time in the hospital. It now looks like our best case scenario would be to get out Friday.
AAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH. 3:55 pm and Braxton's fever just hit 101.1 again. That usually means another two days. Bummer, man.
We now know what is going to happen with Braxton's spot on his arm. On Tuesday, May 27 Brax will have another pet scan. On Thursday, May 29 Dr. Klohise will perform a biopsy surgery on Braxton's arm. Then on Monday, June 2 we will meet with the Doctors and find out what is up with the spot on the arm and begin the last round of chemo. This is another bummer because the kids and I always go back to the farm for "Saddle Horse Holidays", which tales place on Father's Day weekend. Oh, well. Fight cancer first then have fun.
Thanks again to all of you for keeping Brax in your thoughts and prayers. Brax is living proof that prayer works as his knee looks to be back to normal.
Take Care and God Bless,
Big Bad Brad the Dad
We now have a new quote of the day person. Beth, the mom, after I told her today that Braxton's wbc was still at 300, said, "I gave him the shot, Braxton was there!" I had to laugh at that one.
We had a nurse come in today and told us that maybe Braxton could get outside for a while. Brax and I thought we could walk somewhere and get a bite to eat. Well, after the blood counts came back the Doctor said no way to go out to eat and no way to even getting outside. If she would have let us outside, I was going to sneak Brax to Applebee's. You can imagine Braxton's disappointment. So instead, I ordered us food and walked over to Applebee's to pick it up. Burger and fries and grilled cheese and fries was enjoyed.
It does not look to good for Brax to get out of the Hospital Thursday as we had hoped. He had a fever of 101.1 at 10pm Tuesday night. The fever, coupled with his low blood counts spells more time in the hospital. It now looks like our best case scenario would be to get out Friday.
AAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH. 3:55 pm and Braxton's fever just hit 101.1 again. That usually means another two days. Bummer, man.
We now know what is going to happen with Braxton's spot on his arm. On Tuesday, May 27 Brax will have another pet scan. On Thursday, May 29 Dr. Klohise will perform a biopsy surgery on Braxton's arm. Then on Monday, June 2 we will meet with the Doctors and find out what is up with the spot on the arm and begin the last round of chemo. This is another bummer because the kids and I always go back to the farm for "Saddle Horse Holidays", which tales place on Father's Day weekend. Oh, well. Fight cancer first then have fun.
Thanks again to all of you for keeping Brax in your thoughts and prayers. Brax is living proof that prayer works as his knee looks to be back to normal.
Take Care and God Bless,
Big Bad Brad the Dad
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Inspiration!
Photo by Matthew West, Boston HeraldLess than two years ago, Jon Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer - just like Braxton.
Yesterday Jon Lester through a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox!
Go, Cancer Survivors!!!
Yesterday Jon Lester through a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox!
Go, Cancer Survivors!!!
Hi
Hi everyone,
It's Braxton. I'm hanging out in the hospital (where I don't want to be...). Thankyou, Illinois family, who sent the BIG card. I got it last week and it's on the wall in our basement. I like the pictures from the little kids. Emma says that they're good. Maybe I'll get to see you all at Alissa's wedding.
from Braxton
It's Braxton. I'm hanging out in the hospital (where I don't want to be...). Thankyou, Illinois family, who sent the BIG card. I got it last week and it's on the wall in our basement. I like the pictures from the little kids. Emma says that they're good. Maybe I'll get to see you all at Alissa's wedding.
from Braxton
quick morning update
Braxton had a late night which resulted in no port access but having a regular arm IV inserted instead. We turned off the light around 1 a.m. but then were up again by 1:40 when nurses came in to start a platelet transfusion because lab work revealed that platelet counts had fallen too. He was having alot of bleeding from his port site from low platelet counts so the transfusion will help. This morning's early labs showed Braxton's hemoglobin is down to 7 again, so he'll be getting another unit or 2 of blood soon. White cells are up to 400, so his cell recovery looks like it's starting. He usually perks up after getting blood so, hopefully we'll get to bring him home after not too munch time.
-posted by Beth
-posted by Beth
Monday, May 19, 2008
late night
HI Gramma Nancy,
Thanks for your late night comments to my blog. I think I'll be awake for awhile. The Twins are still playing and I just got an IV put into my arm because the nurses can't access my port. Too much swelling from the ER visit port access on friday and from the 2 times the nurse tried to access tonite. Mom is doing homework and waiting for blood results. Maybe we can go to sleep soon.
from Brax
Thanks for your late night comments to my blog. I think I'll be awake for awhile. The Twins are still playing and I just got an IV put into my arm because the nurses can't access my port. Too much swelling from the ER visit port access on friday and from the 2 times the nurse tried to access tonite. Mom is doing homework and waiting for blood results. Maybe we can go to sleep soon.
from Brax
double rebound
Hello all,
It's monday night and we're checking into the hospital again. Braxton's anti-biotics from his ER visit on friday night got him through the weekend, but ran out of steam for today. Braxton had a good day, though, going to see "Prince Caspian" with Barb ("awesome movie!") and then watching Emma's swimming lesson. He was quite tired when we returned home and went to lay down on the couch. When I saw his white face and red eyes I thought I better check the temp. Braxton's temperature registered 101.3. His counts are down below 300 and we were hoping the Neulasta would kick in before an infection did but, the window shut too fast.
Interns Brian and Christina are here, tonite, and nurses Sara, Jaymie and Nancy will care for Braxton too. Brax wondered who would be on tonite so he's happy to have familiar faces. Nancy and Jaymie are struggling with accessing Braxton's port. It's so deep in his chest and he requires a longer needle than usually used. He, also, seems to have swelling from port access on friday so they can't get even the longer needle into the port. They've inserted an IV into Braxton's arm, instead, because the swelling will need the night to go down and they need to get blood to start cultures. So, Brax has a cold pack on his chest to reduce swelling, we watch the Twin's try to win, and we wait... The floor is quiet. No crying babies. Brax has his own room while he has an infection (which he likes anyway) so he's doing ok. He's tired, frustrated with the fumbled port access attempts and short tempered with being back here again.
David is at home with kids and Brad will take over with Braxton tomorrow. More later... :)
-posted by Beth
It's monday night and we're checking into the hospital again. Braxton's anti-biotics from his ER visit on friday night got him through the weekend, but ran out of steam for today. Braxton had a good day, though, going to see "Prince Caspian" with Barb ("awesome movie!") and then watching Emma's swimming lesson. He was quite tired when we returned home and went to lay down on the couch. When I saw his white face and red eyes I thought I better check the temp. Braxton's temperature registered 101.3. His counts are down below 300 and we were hoping the Neulasta would kick in before an infection did but, the window shut too fast.
Interns Brian and Christina are here, tonite, and nurses Sara, Jaymie and Nancy will care for Braxton too. Brax wondered who would be on tonite so he's happy to have familiar faces. Nancy and Jaymie are struggling with accessing Braxton's port. It's so deep in his chest and he requires a longer needle than usually used. He, also, seems to have swelling from port access on friday so they can't get even the longer needle into the port. They've inserted an IV into Braxton's arm, instead, because the swelling will need the night to go down and they need to get blood to start cultures. So, Brax has a cold pack on his chest to reduce swelling, we watch the Twin's try to win, and we wait... The floor is quiet. No crying babies. Brax has his own room while he has an infection (which he likes anyway) so he's doing ok. He's tired, frustrated with the fumbled port access attempts and short tempered with being back here again.
David is at home with kids and Brad will take over with Braxton tomorrow. More later... :)
-posted by Beth
Day 67 - Good Weekend
We are grateful today for a nice weekend at home with Braxton. It got off to a shaky start with the late-night visit to the ER, but since then everything has been better.
Saturday was a beautiful day in Minnesota and Beth got Braxton to sit out on the front porch and enjoy some sun while she was working in the yard.
Sunday was another nice day and Braxton asked to go to the park. We took Braxton, Bayley, Paul, Zoe, Emma, and both our dogs (Sunny & Rufus) to the playground by island Lake Elementary School.
Braxton's energy didn't last long. He spent most of his time just sitting on a swing. But it was really nice to see him get outdoors, play a bit, and smile!
Braxton, Bayley, Paul, and Zoe had a shoe flinging contest. They all got on the swings, swang as high as they could, and then let their shoes fly to see whose would go the farthest. Zoe was the clear winner. Braxton cried foul since he was wearing Crocs and they were "sticky."
Sunny & Rufus were popular, too. We had them harnessed together on a single leash and let them roam around. At one point during the shoe-flinging contest they managed to wander off without anyone noticing. We spotted them a couple blocks down the road heading for the woods. Silly dogs!
Today Braxton is going to Prince Caspian with Barb. The theatre should be empty during a school day and he can have a pretty safe outing.
- posted by David.
Saturday was a beautiful day in Minnesota and Beth got Braxton to sit out on the front porch and enjoy some sun while she was working in the yard.
Sunday was another nice day and Braxton asked to go to the park. We took Braxton, Bayley, Paul, Zoe, Emma, and both our dogs (Sunny & Rufus) to the playground by island Lake Elementary School.
Braxton's energy didn't last long. He spent most of his time just sitting on a swing. But it was really nice to see him get outdoors, play a bit, and smile!
Braxton, Bayley, Paul, and Zoe had a shoe flinging contest. They all got on the swings, swang as high as they could, and then let their shoes fly to see whose would go the farthest. Zoe was the clear winner. Braxton cried foul since he was wearing Crocs and they were "sticky."
Sunny & Rufus were popular, too. We had them harnessed together on a single leash and let them roam around. At one point during the shoe-flinging contest they managed to wander off without anyone noticing. We spotted them a couple blocks down the road heading for the woods. Silly dogs!
Today Braxton is going to Prince Caspian with Barb. The theatre should be empty during a school day and he can have a pretty safe outing.
- posted by David.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Rebound
Hello all,
It's saturday. Braxton made it 2 days before returning to the hospital ER lastnight at midnight. He spiked to the 100.5 that it takes to make a call to the doc and went to get checked. This time, Braxton only needed to have an IV anti-biotic for a couple of hours then was sent home. He arrived at 3:30 a.m and went to bed...the anti-biotics perked him up and he had more energy today. They only last 24 hrs. so we're still on germ watch til his counts go up. The weather was wonderful, today, so Braxton sat outside and "supervised" as Bayley, Zoe and I worked in the yard. David was out of town for the day...but we left some work for him:).
-posted by Beth
It's saturday. Braxton made it 2 days before returning to the hospital ER lastnight at midnight. He spiked to the 100.5 that it takes to make a call to the doc and went to get checked. This time, Braxton only needed to have an IV anti-biotic for a couple of hours then was sent home. He arrived at 3:30 a.m and went to bed...the anti-biotics perked him up and he had more energy today. They only last 24 hrs. so we're still on germ watch til his counts go up. The weather was wonderful, today, so Braxton sat outside and "supervised" as Bayley, Zoe and I worked in the yard. David was out of town for the day...but we left some work for him:).
-posted by Beth
Friday, May 16, 2008
Congratulations, Bayley!
Last night we celebrated a major achievement in our family. Bayley received a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts!
GO, BAYLEY!
The Gold Award is the Girl Scout equivalent of an Eagle Scout. It represents lots and lots of hard work, including a major community service project. Bayley and her troop hosted a carnival for children of U.S. service men and women who were serving over seas.
We are really proud of this achievement for Bayley. She has shown a good work ethic, organization and planning skills, persistence, and, most importantly, a heart that cares for others. We know that this is just the first of many great achievements to come for Bayley.
Day 64: Hopefully Homebound
Hello, All:
Braxton's transition to his home-stay has been a bit iffy so far. He needed two blood transfusions before returning home from the hospital because of dropping white blood cell counts. So he is starting this home stay on worse ground than before. And he has had trouble on each prior return home from the hospital.
So please pray for Braxton's health, stability, and recovery. And also pray for his spirits. Even though there is light at the end of the tunnel, he has been increasingly depressed.
Last night he returned home to his Mom's house and should now be on his regular schedule for time with Mom and time with Dad.
Thank you for your continued prayers and notes of support. Every wish to Braxton helps!
+ posted by David
Braxton's transition to his home-stay has been a bit iffy so far. He needed two blood transfusions before returning home from the hospital because of dropping white blood cell counts. So he is starting this home stay on worse ground than before. And he has had trouble on each prior return home from the hospital.
So please pray for Braxton's health, stability, and recovery. And also pray for his spirits. Even though there is light at the end of the tunnel, he has been increasingly depressed.
Last night he returned home to his Mom's house and should now be on his regular schedule for time with Mom and time with Dad.
Thank you for your continued prayers and notes of support. Every wish to Braxton helps!
+ posted by David
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Going Home
Hey everybody out there! It's me, Braxton. Todays the day that I get to go home. But, I don't get to go home until 6 or 7. That kinda bumbs me out. Last night my dad and I watched the twins game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays which the twins lost 5-3. :( After the game my dad and I watched Transformers on the big scree. It was pretty cool. This morning I had another spinal tap at 11 and after that, a blood transfusion. My day has been pretty packed. Well that's all for me. Talk to you all later.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Day 6
Here we are at day six of Braxton's stay for chemo. The day started off like any other day. Braxton and I slept until almost 10am. The doctors came in and spoke with us and checked out Braxton. We then watched The Price is Right and started doing homework at 11am. Everything was going well until Brax got up and went to the bathroom. When he came out he was feeling dizzy and light-headed. I got him to his bed and he laid down. Now for the excitement. Braxton started to feel sick to his stomach. You can all guess what happened next. Brax vomited! Yes, the sequel to blowing chunks reared its ugly head. After finishing he said that he felt ok. I think it was just getting out of bed and moving around that made him feel sick. He is taking a nap now. I went to the Big 10 for lunch and brought back some cheese curds for my little buddy. I hope they sit well.
We had a minor scare last night as Braxton's temp started to climb again. It got to 100.3 at about 9pm but has been fine ever since. Maybe just the excitement of the Twins clobbering the Red Sox 7-3 made that temp rise.
Once again, thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed to have such caring family and friends.
Take Care and God Bless,
Big Bad Brad the Dad
We had a minor scare last night as Braxton's temp started to climb again. It got to 100.3 at about 9pm but has been fine ever since. Maybe just the excitement of the Twins clobbering the Red Sox 7-3 made that temp rise.
Once again, thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed to have such caring family and friends.
Take Care and God Bless,
Big Bad Brad the Dad
Monday, May 12, 2008
Day 60: Changing of the Guard
It's been another changing of the guard. Beth was with Braxton all weekend, I spent Sunday Night with him, and his Dad arrives this morning for the remainder of Braxton's stay.
Braxton and I had a quiet evening last night. The Twins were playing the Red Sox, but the game was on ESPN which is not available in the hospital. So Braxton watched a show on "Sports Science" on Fox Sports Network while I monitored the Twins game on my computer. The sports science show was measuring the reaction times of various types of athletes - football players, basketball players, baseball players, and even a drag racer. He was also playing games on his DS system. Even though the game wasn't on tv, Braxton still had his video camera focused oon the Metrodome.
Braxton had the room bathed in the electric green color which looks a lot like Mountain Dew. I noticed at one point that my bottle of Mountain Dew actually looked clear in that lighting.
The Twins jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the game and held on to beat the Red Sox 9-8. They took two out of three games from the Red Sox and maintained their hold on first place in the AL Central.
GO, TWINS!
Now for all of you Illinois readers of this blog, you should also be rooting for the Twins. As much as you like the White Sox, you have to help Braxton by cheering for the Twins. That goes for you especially, Uncle Jeff!!
Braxton turned the tv off at 11:30 and we went to bed. It was a quiet night. We both slept well and Braxton did not wake up until 9:30 when he was visited by a team of doctors. He rolled over and went back to sleep after they left.
I did a poor job of packing. My plan was to go directly to the office from the hospital and so I packed work clothes. But I forgot to pack dress socks and a black belt. So I just wore jeans to the office today since I don't have any client meetings anyway.
I left for the office at about 9:50am. Braxton was still sleeping!
+ posted by David.
Braxton and I had a quiet evening last night. The Twins were playing the Red Sox, but the game was on ESPN which is not available in the hospital. So Braxton watched a show on "Sports Science" on Fox Sports Network while I monitored the Twins game on my computer. The sports science show was measuring the reaction times of various types of athletes - football players, basketball players, baseball players, and even a drag racer. He was also playing games on his DS system. Even though the game wasn't on tv, Braxton still had his video camera focused oon the Metrodome.
Braxton had the room bathed in the electric green color which looks a lot like Mountain Dew. I noticed at one point that my bottle of Mountain Dew actually looked clear in that lighting.
The Twins jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the game and held on to beat the Red Sox 9-8. They took two out of three games from the Red Sox and maintained their hold on first place in the AL Central.
GO, TWINS!
Now for all of you Illinois readers of this blog, you should also be rooting for the Twins. As much as you like the White Sox, you have to help Braxton by cheering for the Twins. That goes for you especially, Uncle Jeff!!
Braxton turned the tv off at 11:30 and we went to bed. It was a quiet night. We both slept well and Braxton did not wake up until 9:30 when he was visited by a team of doctors. He rolled over and went back to sleep after they left.
I did a poor job of packing. My plan was to go directly to the office from the hospital and so I packed work clothes. But I forgot to pack dress socks and a black belt. So I just wore jeans to the office today since I don't have any client meetings anyway.
I left for the office at about 9:50am. Braxton was still sleeping!
+ posted by David.
Mother's Day
I know it's monday, but i didn't get to write yesterday. :)
I spent my Mother's Day talking to my mother and spending time with family. Braxton and I were together n the morning. I got him involved in a cut throat Scrabble game. (I won). We used every letter, even some that we shouldn't have. Braxton took some liberties with spellings...see if you can spot them on the pic of the Scrabble board.
I left him by 12:30 to go join David's family to grill at Catherine's house. Zoe, Emma and Bayley were excited to see me and give me their gifts. It was a nice afternoon.
Zoe came back to the hospital, with me, and we started working on her class project for Social Studies. She has to do a state project. Her state is Colorado sp we're building a scrapbook of our vacation last summer.
Braxton and Zoe got back into Scrabble when Zoe took a break from scrapbooking. Then she and I went home after dinner. David came for second shift and Brad will join Braxton this morning. Braxton's treatments are going well and he should be coming home on wednesday.
I spent my Mother's Day talking to my mother and spending time with family. Braxton and I were together n the morning. I got him involved in a cut throat Scrabble game. (I won). We used every letter, even some that we shouldn't have. Braxton took some liberties with spellings...see if you can spot them on the pic of the Scrabble board.
I left him by 12:30 to go join David's family to grill at Catherine's house. Zoe, Emma and Bayley were excited to see me and give me their gifts. It was a nice afternoon.
Zoe came back to the hospital, with me, and we started working on her class project for Social Studies. She has to do a state project. Her state is Colorado sp we're building a scrapbook of our vacation last summer.
Braxton and Zoe got back into Scrabble when Zoe took a break from scrapbooking. Then she and I went home after dinner. David came for second shift and Brad will join Braxton this morning. Braxton's treatments are going well and he should be coming home on wednesday.
Captain of the Big Media Suite
Braxton with the touch-screen panel that controls everything in the Big Media Suite. With that panel he can select what to put on each of the big tv screens, change the lighting throughout the room, and control the video camera mounted on the roof of the hospital.
Bayley and Her Baby?
Bayley holding Velvet, the computer-chip baby that she has to watch and care for as part of a class project. The baby cries just like a real baby and she has to figure out whether it needs a feeding, a diaper change, or just some comfort. The baby keeps a somewhat realistic schedule, too. On Saturday night Bayley had to get up and tend to the baby at 2:00am, 4:00am, and 6:00am!
Big Media Suite - Cosmic Ceiling
Braxton can control the lighting on the ceiling. He has many different colors and effects to choose from.
Big Media Suite - 3
Twins inside the Dome on the big screen.
Live camera shot of the outside of the Dome on the small screen to the left.
Big Media Suite - 2
Computer station, rolling table, microwave, and refrigeration drawers (under the microwave).
Saturday, May 10, 2008
What Day Is It?
It's saturday...Braxton slept in today. Friend, Brendan, came to visit around 11:3o bringing movies. They filled the afternoon with games in the Teen Room. David brought Bayley (and her computer chip baby-Velvet), Paul, Emma and Gretchen. They played games and played with the light panel in Braxton's room. It is pretty cool. Catherine came to visit, so we left the kids and went to Bruegger's to have lunch. The rain came while we were out so we walked back to the hospital (fast). I got to do some homework after everyone left and Braxton went back to being bored. 7 days is a long time to sit in a hospital. Braxton can leave his room to go to the Teen room or take a walk, but he can't leave the floor since he's constantly hooked up to chemo. So, we play games, Braxon does some homework, I do some homework, we watch Discovery and the Twins games...play with the lights. But, the point of being here is to rest and let chemo drugs do their job. 4 more days :)
-posted by Beth
-posted by Beth
Friday Update-Saturday a.m.
Braxton is still asleep...There is alot of white noise in this room and it's not near the nurses station so it's alot quieter than other rooms we've had. Nurses came in early to take blood and change fluid and med drips but, they pretty much leave him alone til 10ish.
Yesterday, Brax and I spent the afternoon just hangin out. He was tired from being up early and then being sedated for the spinal tap. He didn't, really, recover from that all day and was low energy. However, with the roof cam to keep him busy and the awesome Twins WIN lastnight the day ended up pretty well.
Chemo, this time involves a downshift in toxic intensity of drugs. Chemo treatment #1 was a warm up, treatement #2 was hard hitting with methotrexate and doxyrubicin ( a very toxic combo of cancer killers), #3 eliminated the methotrexate because of kidney damage but still used doxyrubicin, and #4 and #5 uses methotrexate and cytarabine. Cytarabine is also a hard hitter but, we've been told, is not as much of a contributor to white cells dropping as the doxyrubicin. White cells, typically, will not need the added boost of the Neulasta injection after treatment either. SO...there is a good chance that Braxton will not develop a fever and have to come back to the U between treatments. We'll see... Cytarabine is given as a continuous 24 hr infusion for 6 days. It started yesterday and will end on wednesday. Braxton is not able to wander the hospital (or outside) during this visit so, it's so great that he has the very cool room to keep him more comfortable and stimulated. Staying in one place for 7 days is hard :(
Results from the PET scan are very positive. Braxton's left leg looks like it is healing. No visible tumors lit up. However, the spot on his right arm lit up brighter. Braxton's team isn't sure if that is a tumor and, if it is, why it's not responding to treatment. After chemo is finished, in early June, there may be another biopsy surgery. Please continue to pray for healing of Braxton's body and spirit.
On the homefront, Zoe is heading out for an afternoon of canoeing on the St. Croix river, with her GS troop. Bayley is being a mom, this weekend, for a computer chip baby for a class at school and David is handling Paul, Emma and Gretchen. :)
-posted by Beth
Yesterday, Brax and I spent the afternoon just hangin out. He was tired from being up early and then being sedated for the spinal tap. He didn't, really, recover from that all day and was low energy. However, with the roof cam to keep him busy and the awesome Twins WIN lastnight the day ended up pretty well.
Chemo, this time involves a downshift in toxic intensity of drugs. Chemo treatment #1 was a warm up, treatement #2 was hard hitting with methotrexate and doxyrubicin ( a very toxic combo of cancer killers), #3 eliminated the methotrexate because of kidney damage but still used doxyrubicin, and #4 and #5 uses methotrexate and cytarabine. Cytarabine is also a hard hitter but, we've been told, is not as much of a contributor to white cells dropping as the doxyrubicin. White cells, typically, will not need the added boost of the Neulasta injection after treatment either. SO...there is a good chance that Braxton will not develop a fever and have to come back to the U between treatments. We'll see... Cytarabine is given as a continuous 24 hr infusion for 6 days. It started yesterday and will end on wednesday. Braxton is not able to wander the hospital (or outside) during this visit so, it's so great that he has the very cool room to keep him more comfortable and stimulated. Staying in one place for 7 days is hard :(
Results from the PET scan are very positive. Braxton's left leg looks like it is healing. No visible tumors lit up. However, the spot on his right arm lit up brighter. Braxton's team isn't sure if that is a tumor and, if it is, why it's not responding to treatment. After chemo is finished, in early June, there may be another biopsy surgery. Please continue to pray for healing of Braxton's body and spirit.
On the homefront, Zoe is heading out for an afternoon of canoeing on the St. Croix river, with her GS troop. Bayley is being a mom, this weekend, for a computer chip baby for a class at school and David is handling Paul, Emma and Gretchen. :)
-posted by Beth
Thursday, May 8, 2008
We're In The SUITE!!!!!
Wahoo! Chemo isn't so bad when you're staying in the technology filled suite! Braxton and I were surprised to be assigned to 1 of the 2 single occupant suites on 5b. Every kid is supposed to get 1 turn in the suite but we've been here so much that we forgot about these rooms. It's SO cool! Everything is controlled by a touch panel. There's a BIG screen tv and 2 smaller screens next to that. One of the screens is for a camera that pans around the outside so you can watch the happenings on the river. Braxton is trying to figure out if he can watch 2 different shows at the same time. The room also has it's own fridge and freezer in drawers (for late night chemo snacks), a shower where the watercomes out of the ceiling (like rain), and a giant light box kindof thing that displays different colored ambient light above the bed. If you havn't been to visit Braxton yet, now is the time! (I don't get out much so this is really cool to me!)
Braxton's PET scan looks very good! Preliminary results show no visible tumors on the left knee. No results from the right arm yet til the radiologist reads it. Braxton's creatonin level has also dropped. He seems in good shape for this round. Many answers to prayer are happening!
-posted by Beth
Braxton's PET scan looks very good! Preliminary results show no visible tumors on the left knee. No results from the right arm yet til the radiologist reads it. Braxton's creatonin level has also dropped. He seems in good shape for this round. Many answers to prayer are happening!
-posted by Beth
Back In the Bighouse #4
Hello bloggers,
Braxton just got hooked up for his 2 hr. PET scan test. This is a big one because it will tell us what tumurs are still around. Braxton's IPOD is dead, his charger is at home and there's no tv to watch in the room where he will sit for 2 hrs and let the dye injection settle. Life stinks, for him, right now :( He can take a nap though... after the scan, we're hoping to get to play hooky for a few hours before having to get hooked up to an IV bag. Chemo isn't until 10 pm.
Braxton did get to go golfing, yesterday, with Brad. He flung his IV backpack on his back and away he went. He said that he played pretty well too!
not much else right now...
more later. :)
-posted by Beth
p.s. Thankyou Gramma Alice and Gramps Bruce for sending the sunflower seeds and t-shirts! Watching baseball games, in the hospital, isn't the same without sunflower seeds!
Thankyou, Marlene and Roy for the care package you sent! The old pictures of Grampa are so cool!!
-posted by Braxton
Braxton just got hooked up for his 2 hr. PET scan test. This is a big one because it will tell us what tumurs are still around. Braxton's IPOD is dead, his charger is at home and there's no tv to watch in the room where he will sit for 2 hrs and let the dye injection settle. Life stinks, for him, right now :( He can take a nap though... after the scan, we're hoping to get to play hooky for a few hours before having to get hooked up to an IV bag. Chemo isn't until 10 pm.
Braxton did get to go golfing, yesterday, with Brad. He flung his IV backpack on his back and away he went. He said that he played pretty well too!
not much else right now...
more later. :)
-posted by Beth
p.s. Thankyou Gramma Alice and Gramps Bruce for sending the sunflower seeds and t-shirts! Watching baseball games, in the hospital, isn't the same without sunflower seeds!
Thankyou, Marlene and Roy for the care package you sent! The old pictures of Grampa are so cool!!
-posted by Braxton
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Day 55 - The Battle Goes On
Braxton has enjoyed his time at home and he really, really enjoyed the visit from Uncle Jeff.
Yesterday Braxton was with his Dad. They visited the hospital for more tests on his creatinin levels and kidney function. Unfortunately, the creatinin is still too high. So Braxton will be on IV fluids for another day or two. Thank goodness for portable Bob (the backpack that carries the portable IV drip machine).
Tomorrow Braxton returns to the hospital for round four of chemotherapy. Hopefully he'll be able to get outside and enjoy the nice weather today before he has to go back to the "big house."
+posted by David
Yesterday Braxton was with his Dad. They visited the hospital for more tests on his creatinin levels and kidney function. Unfortunately, the creatinin is still too high. So Braxton will be on IV fluids for another day or two. Thank goodness for portable Bob (the backpack that carries the portable IV drip machine).
Tomorrow Braxton returns to the hospital for round four of chemotherapy. Hopefully he'll be able to get outside and enjoy the nice weather today before he has to go back to the "big house."
+posted by David
Monday, May 5, 2008
Monday, Monday
The weekend went well and Braxton got off of his pump lastnight. The nurse will be by, today, to check blood again. Braxton is very good at knowing all of his procedures and pills. When I took him off of the IV fluid pump, he wanted to do the saline flush and Heprin injection himself. I let him. He did it all right, even down to sucking the Heprin into the syringe. Maybe he will be a doctor someday! Uncle Jeff stood by watching. It's all kind of weird if you don't live with it...
Braxton and Uncle Jeff went to see Ironman, yesterday. On a sunday afternoon, the theater was empty (just how we like it- less germs) and they thought the movie was great. Good fun! Later, Jeff took the kids to grill with Brad and visit.
Emma and Zoe and I walked to Valentine Hills School for the Family Arts Festival while Brax was at the movie. It was a beautiful day to walk through the neighborhood and on the woods path. We got a little muddy though. On the way home, Emma took...her....time...smelling flowers, picking up sticks, collecting pinecone families. We made it home after awhile. :)
Bayley was gone all weekend working on Moundsview's play and attending a Speech Team Banquet on sunday afternoon. Uncle Jeff saw her here and there, but not much.
Braxton has a kidney functioning test on tuesday then checks in on thursday for chemo #4. Please pray that Braxton's kidneys are ok and that Braxton can get the methotrexate treatment this chemo round.
-posted by Beth
Braxton and Uncle Jeff went to see Ironman, yesterday. On a sunday afternoon, the theater was empty (just how we like it- less germs) and they thought the movie was great. Good fun! Later, Jeff took the kids to grill with Brad and visit.
Emma and Zoe and I walked to Valentine Hills School for the Family Arts Festival while Brax was at the movie. It was a beautiful day to walk through the neighborhood and on the woods path. We got a little muddy though. On the way home, Emma took...her....time...smelling flowers, picking up sticks, collecting pinecone families. We made it home after awhile. :)
Bayley was gone all weekend working on Moundsview's play and attending a Speech Team Banquet on sunday afternoon. Uncle Jeff saw her here and there, but not much.
Braxton has a kidney functioning test on tuesday then checks in on thursday for chemo #4. Please pray that Braxton's kidneys are ok and that Braxton can get the methotrexate treatment this chemo round.
-posted by Beth
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Saturday news
Braxton doesn't make life predictable. Yesterday afternoon his blood work showed that his kidneys are, once again, having some trouble. Creatonin is higher than should be so, the nurse came out and connected him up to an IV drip bag for more fluids. Today, his creatonin has dropped but not enough to lose the IV so...one more day carrying the backpack around. Braxton gets discouraged that he reacts to everything, so extremely. I do too.
Uncle Jeff is in town for the weekend! He arrived around 3 pm after a long drive through rain and too many state troopers. We kept him busy with goofy kid antics, ice cream and a movie (Narnia- because Jeff hasn't seen it before) and stupid pet tricks. Sadie (Jeff's big white Siberian Husky who used to be our's but we gave her to Jeff because she kept digging out under the fence and running all around town...) came along too. She isn't "comfortable" with Sunny and Rufus too near to her so they have to go outside when she eats, or she won't eat. Is this a doggy tantrum? Some owner manipulation?:)
Today we took everyone to the dog park. It's been a nice day and all of the dogs and children (and Uncle Jeff) enjoyed the park. Braxton didi not go. He does not like to carry his IV pack too much. It's quite heavy with fluid, a battery pack and pump. Braxton also had a visit from his math tutor this afternoon. He continues to do well in math.
We did go out for dinner, though, and came home so Brax and Jeff could have guy time to watch the Twins and the movie "Spaceballs" (totally 3rd grade boy humor). I am trying to dig into homework and planning for Preschool conferences this week. I have SO much to do.
Braxton is taking his IV in stride and is making Uncle Jeff laugh with his silly comments and observations. All is well...
-posted by Beth
Uncle Jeff is in town for the weekend! He arrived around 3 pm after a long drive through rain and too many state troopers. We kept him busy with goofy kid antics, ice cream and a movie (Narnia- because Jeff hasn't seen it before) and stupid pet tricks. Sadie (Jeff's big white Siberian Husky who used to be our's but we gave her to Jeff because she kept digging out under the fence and running all around town...) came along too. She isn't "comfortable" with Sunny and Rufus too near to her so they have to go outside when she eats, or she won't eat. Is this a doggy tantrum? Some owner manipulation?:)
Today we took everyone to the dog park. It's been a nice day and all of the dogs and children (and Uncle Jeff) enjoyed the park. Braxton didi not go. He does not like to carry his IV pack too much. It's quite heavy with fluid, a battery pack and pump. Braxton also had a visit from his math tutor this afternoon. He continues to do well in math.
We did go out for dinner, though, and came home so Brax and Jeff could have guy time to watch the Twins and the movie "Spaceballs" (totally 3rd grade boy humor). I am trying to dig into homework and planning for Preschool conferences this week. I have SO much to do.
Braxton is taking his IV in stride and is making Uncle Jeff laugh with his silly comments and observations. All is well...
-posted by Beth
Friday, May 2, 2008
Happy Friday
Hello everyone,
Here's the Brax update. He came home yesterday! YEAH!! We get to have him for 6 days before checking back into the U. for chemo #4. Braxton's counts are very good and his creatonin (kidney function) dropped back down to a normal number. So, he's home hoping to enjoy his time with Uncle Jeff who is visiting from Illinois. Maybe we'll go to a movie or something...:)
Hey everyone! Brax here. Thanks to everyone who's reading my blog and writing. I read all the comments. If you want to leave your e-mail address too, then I can e-mail back. Thanks Gramma Beverly, Gramma Nancy, Aunt Wilma and Barb for writing so much. Mom says that you don't use blogs very much so thanks for figuring it out!
more later, Mom and Brax
Here's the Brax update. He came home yesterday! YEAH!! We get to have him for 6 days before checking back into the U. for chemo #4. Braxton's counts are very good and his creatonin (kidney function) dropped back down to a normal number. So, he's home hoping to enjoy his time with Uncle Jeff who is visiting from Illinois. Maybe we'll go to a movie or something...:)
Hey everyone! Brax here. Thanks to everyone who's reading my blog and writing. I read all the comments. If you want to leave your e-mail address too, then I can e-mail back. Thanks Gramma Beverly, Gramma Nancy, Aunt Wilma and Barb for writing so much. Mom says that you don't use blogs very much so thanks for figuring it out!
more later, Mom and Brax
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