AIDAN'S DIARY - AUGUST 2001

05-Aug-2001
Aidan's neutrophils (white cell) and platelets (clotting cells) countsare still down. The outcome is he's stuck in hospital and probably heading for another blood transfusion. The first post-operative MRI is scheduled for the 15th August. We just love MRIs, the messengers of good news.
- Dad

07-Aug-2001
Aidan needed a platelet transfusion today (his first ever) before his stem cell harvest tomorrow. Just after it started, a few scratches to an itchy elbow turned into huge hives all over his body. He was trying to scratch his whole body at once. The platelets were stopped and some IV drugs given which helped a bit. Then they started the transfusion again and after half an hour, so did the reaction. The second time was nearly as bad as the first time but there was less we could do. We painted his body pink with calamine lotion and topped him up with the last bit of the drugs that he hadn't had before. Later that evening, when the medication had worn off, it all started again. The visit home, for a few hours, just didn't happen. Aidan got KFC for dinner as a substitute and Mum got the walk to KFC.
- Mum

09-Aug-2001
Aidan's platelet count came up a little bit on it's own and everybody breathed a sigh of relief. After all the reactions I really didn't want another transfusion if possible.The doctors got brave and removed the line from his leg. With the low platelet count they had been scared that it wouldn't stop bleeding. We got to go home!!! Liam and Evan were very excited and Caitlin asked, "Are you staying Mum?"
- Mum

10-Aug-2001
Awoke to the sounds of Aidan and Caitlin "chatting" from their bedroom, with no shortage of decibels. After many days of absentia, it would appear the little people were catching up on old times.
Aidan went back to school after about two and a half weeks off. He walked in to the class and declared, "They finally let me out!"
- Mum/Dad

12-Aug-2001
The last round of chemo has taken its toll on Aidan's scalp. He emerged from his bedroom laughing and holding clumps of hair. Cheap entertainment was provided in the form of Trish and Aidan plucking more of Aidan's hair. We do have a TV, but hair pulling was in vogue.
Aidan, Caitlin and I kicked it back at an early session of a Disney cartoon, The Emperor's New Groove. A talking llama isn't something you see everyday.
The clouds parted in the afternoon and cast a ray of sunshine over a local playground. Aidan and Caitlin ran themselves silly on the roundabout. For a brief spell, we had a normal little boy.
- Dad

13-Aug-2001
Grandad Michael and Aunty Jamie arrived today. It's been four and a half years since we last caught up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Aidan was not quite two and certainly doesn't remember his encounter with Mickey Mouse at Disney World in Orlando.
- Dad

14-Aug-2001
We're getting the band back together ...
- Dad

16-Aug-2001
The winter rains have been flowing freely over Lesmurdie Falls. We escorted Grandad Michael and Aunty Jamie to see the aqua.
- Dad
 

Lesmurdie Falls, making a debut appearance. Click to enlarge.

Aidan, Caitlin and Aunty Jamie at Lesmurdie Falls. Click to enlarge.

18-Aug-2001
One good camel deserves another. How could we resist another visit to the friendly camels at the Calamunda Camel Farm. We could not, and did not, Sam I am.
- Dad

20-Aug-2001
A final jaunt around Perth commenced with a trip to Scitech and followed with a stroll through Kings Park. The sun was up, the rain was away. Quite wonderful.
- Dad
 

Aidan and his converyor belts. Click to enlarge.

Aunty Jamie and Aidan overlooking Perth from Kings Park. Click to enlarge.

21-Aug-2001
The week ran its course with barely a backwards glance. We waved farewell to Grandad Michael and Aunty Jamie for their long haul back across the globe.
Trish collected favourable MRI results. The high-dose chemo kicks off Wednesday 29 August. Let the games begin.
- Dad

28-Aug-2001
The next onslaught of chemo has been postponed until Friday 31 August. Better yet, the first drug will be taken orally at home. The following week Aidan will be admitted and hooked up for intravenous infusions. The stem cell rescue protocol is a little better than we had first anticipated. The quarantine restrictions have been relaxed a little which means we can spend some time with him during the day. There was even talk of grouping several kids undergoing the same procedure into one room. That would certainly help pass the time.
- Dad

25-Aug-2001
A bit of fun in the sun with frisbees and much running after them.
- Dad

29-Aug-2001
Aidan's treatment protocol commenced today with an oral dose of Temozolomide at home. He will hopefully remain at home until Tuesday 4th August when he will start with intravenous infusions of Thiotepa and Carboplatin. So far, so good.
- Dad

Last updated: 17-Sep-2001