AIDAN'S DIARY - AUGUST 2002
We arrived (reasonably) early at the hospital for a CT scan. The results were not good, but maybe not bad either, showing that the largest tumour, in the left caudate nucleus, had grown, but only by a small margin. The other tumours appeared about the same size. Having said that, I don't place much faith in CT results due to the reasonable results we received in February on to discover that the cancer had grown and spread on a subsequent MRI. Dr. Baker shares our misapprehension with CT results, but at this stage, it's all we have to go on.
Aidan was given the OK from a clinical perspective and will continue with the Etoposide for another 3 week cycle, commencing Friday 9 August. There is every likelihood the previous 2 cycles have at least slowed the growth of the cancer, but do not appear to be shrinking it.
- Dad
3 August 2002
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIAM AND EVAN !
The boys had a rustic birthday party at a picnic
table near South
Ledge which overlooks Mundaring Weir.
- Dad
A rustic gathering. Click to enlarge. |
Evan (left) and Liam (right) pondering how to attack a chocolate cupcake. Click to enlarge. |
5 August 2002
The CSF results from Friday (2/8) were clear of floating cancer cells.
In conjunction with the CT scan it's a good tidbit of news.
- Dad
16/17/18 August 2002
The local chapter of Camp Quality summoned us away from the regular
hustle and bustle for some time out with Aidan, Caitlin and other families
who understand all too well the nature of cancer.
Friday night we resumed residence in the same rooms allocated during
the previous camp in June, met a few faces and counted sheep until dawn.
The theme for this camp was the Australian "bush".
By mid-morning on Saturday we had assembled a variety of "bush" band
instruments, including a "wash board" and "lager phone". A local folk singer
strummed some familiar tunes around a camp fire while we munched on "damper"
and "smores". We managed a few bouts of "bush dancing" (keeping in theme)
and heard an excellent rendition of Paul Kelly's "From little things, big
things grow".
Come evening, we dined on a typical roast diner and proceeded to dance
the night away with some folk tunes and a variety of mixes for young and
old. Aidan made quite the mark on the dance floor from atop one or more
backs and was dishing out high fives to all and sundry. It will be good
to review to video tape at a later date. He had an absolute ball.
Come Sunday morning, Aidan was more tired than anything. He was quite
partied out. Only later in the day, with a high temperature and unforseen
trip to hospital and back, did we learn of his tonsilitis.
The infection didn't slow him down though. He managed to ride on all
of the Harley's, the fire truck and police cars which came to spirit the
children away for laps of the camp ground. Aidan was quite handy with the
fire house and turned it upon this father who was attempting to take a
photo. We were oh so amused.
Thanks to Greg and a multitude of volunteers for making this cluster
a fabulous event.
- Dad
Caitlin with a Wallaby. Click to enlarge. |
Aidan, Caitlin and Jack making a maracca. Click to enlarge. |
Aidan escorting a Harley for a ride. Click to enlarge. |
Aidan and Dad clocking about 18 km/h (according to the speed camera). Click to enlarge. |
23 August 2002
Aidan complained of being "wobbly" and was holding his left hand to
keep it still. It was doing it's best to shake without permission. Not
a good sign ... possible mounting CSF pressure (disrupting nerves) and/or
growing tumours (also disrupting nerves).
- Dad
24 August 2002
Returned from a shopping excursion with Aidan and Caitlin to find Aidan's
temperature had zoomed up to 39 degrees (again). A short call to the nurses
in the oncology ward at hospital and ... vooom ... Trish and Aidan are
zooming down the hill to the ward.
Aidan started off the day with a shaky left hand which he attempted
to hide with the right hand. Hmmm.
- Dad
27 August 2002
Aidan's haemoglobin count had gone south, for which he required a blood
transfusion. Many of the veins on his hands have collapsed over the months/years,
requiring a delicate search for "the one". Unfortuntely, "the one" was
not just uncomfortable, but painful too, requiring the infusion rate to
be slowed and drawing out the process until quite late in the night. When
Trish returned with Aidan he was a bag of tired bones, complaining of "pins
and needles" which I have put down to circulation, simply because it's
a better option than pondering nerve damage.
- Dad
28 August 2002
After a slow start to the day, Aidan and Trish returned to hospital
for an occupational therapy session with Ranita, who is worth her weight
in gold. Aidan was in fine form by early evening and retreated to bed peacefully.
Phew.
- Dad
29 August 2002
Aidan was too tired for anything except a TV marathon with the help
of a pillow and blanket. When I asked him about not going to school he
replied that he was just too tired. For someone who thoroughly enjoys the
school environment, that was not a good sign.
- Dad
30 August 2002
Trish spoke with Dr. Baker to discuss Aidan's current condition. Based
on the symptoms he was booked for a CT scan in the afternoon. Trish and
I escorted him to the CT room, where one again he requested my presence
instead of Mum's because "she always comes". Guess which Mum was not pleased
? Aidan lay very still through the procedure and impressed the staff with
his helpful demeanor.
The scans apparently showed nothing obvious, so at this stage we're
putting it down to tumour growth which isn't registering and/or a virus
that has taken up residence due to diminished immune system.
It's really hard to know what's going on in our little man's noggin'.
But ... we can wait and see what develops.
- Dad
31 August 2002
Aidan appeared in better spirits this morning and managed to annoy
Caitlin with his special "sisterize" techniques. Trish took Cait and Aidan
shopping and both returned home awake and cheerful. New shoes can have
that affect.
Phil and Nerylie, some old friends, dropped by in the evening with
Natsku, an exchange student from Helsinki, Finland. Her understanding of
Australian culture may have been dashed while weathering the chaos created
by the amalgam of Waddys and Telciks.
- Dad
Last updated: 6-Oct-2002