Sam is starting to loose his hair. I noticed it in floating in the tub this morning and on my pillow today. Dr. Chang, his radiation oncologist, thinks he’ll loose a lot more through the weekend. He’s at a rough spot in his chemo and radiation right now….waking up every 50 minutes or so last night with a horrible tummy ache, stomach cramps, and vomiting and no appetite. We felt like we had a newborn again, except this time we felt so helpless and are unable to ease his discomfort. It’s very hard, saddening, and difficult to be a part of. He said these next couple of days will be tough as the radiation is building in his body and along with the chemo, it is just a lot for his little body to handle. He compared it to a bad sunburn…that even after you get the burn, it takes a couple days for the discomfort to leave. Right now, Sam is receiving full brain and spine radiation. Beginning Friday, he will only receive radiation to the back of his lower brain , the posterior fossa. (don’t I sound so smart and doctor like?!) He says that once we start going to Bloomington, it should get better since he’ll be receiving it to a smaller portion of his brain and the spinal portion will come to an end. He predicts mid to late week next week he’ll get some relief. We will continue radiation each day until August 12th as well as his weekly doses of chemo. Then we should have about six weeks off before round one of eight of his new chemo plan begins. Please pray for him. And please send some moisturizer and under eye cream so we don’t look like walking zombies during this sleepless time. HA! :)
Sam gets a bit discouraged with all of the throwing up and tummy aches and asks us when will his tummy stop hurting. I wish I had the answer. And I wish it would stop this instant. And I wish I could take all the pain away. This poor little guy has thrown up just about every day since May 19th. Ugh! But did you know that the Nintendo DS game system is quite the vomit suppressant? Yep! It sure is! Who knew that hand held game systems could hold puke at bay!? While it is not always effective, it sure works for a person with average nausea. Unfortunately, it’s not helping us out so much this week.
Even with this rough week, we are celebrating small steps and little victories, and as always, try to find the positive in each situation. It is not always easy, but we give it our best effort, for what other choice do we have?
Until next time.
love,
us
14 comments
Erica – Lori sent me the link to the blog and I’ve been following Sam’s journey for a few weeks. I so enjoyed your company the few times we got together to scrapbook or have a “fiesta” for the kids (which I just scrapped that page this summer – yes, it was in 2003!). You were – and are – an amazing, inspirational person. Please know that you, Sam and the whole family are in our thoughts and prayers. Your strength is amazing.
Hi Sam,
Keep your chin up and keep going………………………..
and going………………and going………………….
Love you, Aunt Sharon
I love your journaling! Praying for Sam and for your family….
Friend of a Friend…Our prayers are with you all. The strength our Lord is providing Sam right now will last him forever. Hang in there. here is a favorte prayer of mine…
The Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and Charity for his creatures, made you worthy when on earth to possess miraculous powers
Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety
Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me the healing of young Sam and peace in the heart of his Mom Erica
The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of Miracles
O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet infant Jesus who loved to be folded I your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours
Thanks be to God!
Erica, Just read your message from last Wed. I hope things are better for Sam and all of you this week and from here on out.
If there is anything I can do for you, remember I am just around the corner. I can pick up stuff from the store, whatever would be helpful let me know. God Bless all of you. We keep praying.
Erica and Family, Thank you for the info re Sam and his situation. Sorry for the tough week that all of you are having. It sounds like taking things in bite-size pieces may be helpful right now?? I sooooooo wish I were closer to help in any way that I could. Ery, PLEASE give yourself the opportunity to really vent. I’m all for being positive (which you are SO good at!!) but you also need to let go sometimes as well! Take care!! with love, Aunt Sheila
So many prayers and positive thoughts to you guys!! I wish I could take all of the pain away too!
Erica, we continue to talk, think and pray for your family. Sam is such a trooper and is so strong. I’m thinking God has big plans for him someday! He is making such a difference in the world right now and I bet he doesn’t even know it. We stil have a few things for Sam, just let us know when it is a good time to bring them over…. we don’t have to stay long. Love you all!
Constantly thinking of you and praying for Sam and your entire family.
As always, Sam continues to be in our prayers.
Thinking of you all, Erica…….{{big hugs}}
Hi Friend,
sorry to hear that Sam is having a rough week! We are all praying for Sam and the rest of you. Take one day at a time.
Hi Guys:
We are keeping all of you in our prayers each and every day. I took Sam’s picture up to my friend – Dottie and she is a very Christian person and immediately prayed for him and said she would each morning. She said she will be 100 in December and thinks Sam is adorable. I know this is so hard for all of you but I know the good Lord hears every prayer we are sending. Love Marilyn and Bruce
Thanks for the update Erica. Although I hate to hear that he is feeling so bad, I know the radiation and chemo are doing their thing if he is having those side effects!! The kids and I will be praying for Sam tonight.