AIDAN'S DIARY - JANUARY 2002

Aidan helping to paint the twins' room. Click to enlarge.

Ditto for Caitlin.  Click to enlarge.

13-Jan-2001
We may have found the answer to Aidan's interrmittently high temperature and strange spots with suspected Chicken Pox. Trish noticed a few spots earlier today which erupted into many spots by the time they arrived at hospital. He was immunised against Chicken Pox some years ago, but the repeated chemo and recent stem-cell rescue have whacked his immune system for a home run. We'll know more tomorrow after a pathology report. Stay tuned on radio KAOS where the good times just keep on rollin'
- Dad

14-Jan-2001
The pathology report says "spots = chicken pox". Who am I to argue ? Aidan is happy enough, except for the IV line in his hand. After two years with an Infusa-port, regular IV needles are not greeted with open arms.
These spots couldn't have come at a worse time. Aidan's overdue MRI was scheduled for this Thursday afternoon (17-Jan-2002), but has been postponed until next Thursday (24-Jan-2002). He also misses out on swimming lessons; a plague-ridden boy in a communal pool would be viewed with a certain disdain.
- Dad

18-Jan-2001
Aidan and Trish were released into the wider community this afternoon. We made a discreet exit out the "back door" to avoid infecting any other chemo patients who would not thank us for extra problems. Bar a handful of spots, Aidan is in good form and was happy to go home again. He and Caitlin spent the remainder of the day "catching up". Despite being separated by 2 years, they are fairly close friends and Cait pines a bit when Aidan and Trish are "away".
- Dad

23-Jan-2001
MRI day.
Let the waiting begin.
- Dad

25-Jan-2001
We were fortunate to attend one of the last performances of Alegria by Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) and it was simply awesome. The rich pageantry, soulful music and magical performers made an indellible impression. The acrobats, the clowns, the everything.
Aidan watched a taped recording of Dralion many times from his bed during his forced hospital internship in September 2001. He watched it and watched it again, providing a running commentary to everybody else in the room. It was only right we took him to see the real thing. His raptured expression at seeing the real thing made it all the more worthwhile.
- Dad

30-Jan-2001
The MRI result rained down on us today, like a shower of shite.
Lady Luck has not only left our side, but scurried to shelter under a rock someplace far and away.
Aidan's tumour has regrown in the same place.
Prognosis at this time is very poor.
Where to from here ? We don't know.
- Dad

31-Jan-2001
Trish, Aidan and I caught up with Mr. Wong and Dr. Baker, Aidan's neurosugeon and oncologist respectively, for a post MRI discussion. Mr. Wong doesn't mess about with doublespeak and polite innuendos, he's tells it like it is, which I appreciate. He is confident he could operate on the new tumour if we elect to do so. Dr. Baker was also fairly direct. He seemed to think Aidan's time would run out between six and twelve months.
Not happy with the news. Not happy at all.
- Dad

Last updated:14-Feb-2002