First Inpatient Hospital Stay April 26-29

We had our first inpatient (out of 6) April 26-29.  The reason that it is inpatient is because of the specific chemo Channing is getting at that time.  It starts with a sedation and an intrathecal methotrexate.  Basically, they knock Channing out and give him Chemo to the spine.  Then 6 hrs later (optimally) they start the IV methotrexate which is then administered over 24 hrs.  In order to start the IV chemo Channings PH and hydration levels have to be within a certain range or level.  Unfortunately, this means testing his urine every hr, and in the middle of the night waking mommy and Channing up to make him urinate is not fun.  His levels were finally in the right area to start at 2 am Wed morning.  It was much longer then 6 hours, but we are going to start his IV to get him hydrated much sooner next time.  Then we wait the 24 hrs.  After that at hr 42 Channing is given Leucovorin.  Which basically prevents the harmful effects of the methotrexate; it protects the healthy cells, but lets the methotrexate kill the cancerous cells.  (How scientists ever figured this out is beyond me, but I will forever be grateful!!).  He needs at least 2 doses of the Leucovorin 6 hrs apart before they can test his urine (again) to see if we can be discharged.  The methotrexate has to be below 2% in order to discharge us, and for Channing it was well below that after the second dose.  So, that's why it is a 4 day, 3 night, hospital stay.  Interesting huh? 

Now, onto the exciting stuff ;)  Pictures of what Channing and I do at the hospital to keep ourselves entertained, and sane....

We got a great view outside our window this time ;)  Actually, it was a great view.  Channing loved watching the workers with their trucks and big machines, and especially the tall towers that move heavy things.  If you didn't know, Channing wants to be a worker - a Construction worker. 

I love this picture of Chan showing off his tubies connected to his port.  He wasn't attached to the IV pole at this point so everything was just hanging loosely on his tummy.  He was happy to be free of his 'friend' the IV pole. 

They have these All About Me posters that we fill out and color so that the nurses, and staff know what Channing likes and what a typical schedule is. 

We didn't fill this out till the second day, but it was so nice that none of the nurses bothered us (or were very quiet if they needed to check the IV machine, or vitals) during quiet time.  Channing and I were able to take 2 hr naps together every day, which was soooo nice for me :)

Jakey got to come and stay a night with me at the Ronald MacDonald House (Kindt slept with Chan) for one night, then spend the next morning at the hospital with us.  Everyone was sooo nice to Jakob and were very good at making him feel apart of things and needed. 

As you can see, the boys played and had a great time together.  They did get a little rowdy at times though, and Jakob has a hard time understanding Chans limits, and leaving Chans IV pole alone.  They were playing in Chans room, and hiding and just being goofy, when Chan goes "oh, cool medicine".  I look over and there was a pool of IV fluid on the floor, and blood coming the wrong way through Channings IV tubes.  I was a little worried and we called for the nurses.  They came in and fixed it up, got new tubes attached, everything was fine.  The nurses were nice and said that it was probably a loose connection, but I am pretty sure it was because Jakob kept running over the tubes with the wheels of the pole, and then stepping on it, and yanking it to make it loose.  We actually have a movie of this event (Kindt was filming the boys being goofy and crazy) but I can't upload it for some sad reason. 
Grandma Rani (our lifesaver for 3 weeks!!) and Ema came and picked up the boys and I that Friday morning after we were discharged.  We gave Grandma Rani and Ema a tour and had fun showing them all the things to do. 

playing in the wagons :)

comparing bracelets...every visitor to the inpatient levels has to have a guest bracelet saying they are allowed to be there and they aren't sick.  There are a lot of immune-compromised children on the floor that they need to keep safe.  Channing thought it was neat that Grandma and Ema had bracelets like him!

On our way back to the car, we heard about a party that was going on downstairs and decided to check it out.  It was so fun!  They had face painting, games, toys, and food!!  Each kid even got to pick a toy on the way out, and they were nice toys like games, puzzles, stuffed animals, playdoh, etc. 

It was a fun, uneventful (medically wise) hospital stay, and we are gearing up to do it again this Thursday. 

I am so thankful that there is such an amazing facility for my son to be treated in.  They really do a great job of making everyone comfortable and entertained.  Here are some more amazing aspects of the hospital...

- They have a family kitchen where you can label and store any food that you bring, or buy so you don't always have to eat hospital food.

- They have volunteers who bring in dinner many nights of the week for the families, and there is always something available to snack on or eat in the family kitchen.

- There is a play room for the kids, and a family lounge which has a TV and lots of games, so you aren't always stuck in your room. 

- They have gaming systems, movies, and books that you can use.

- They have volunteers who will give parents a couple hours break every day and take the patient and sibling to play (AMAZINGLY helpful!!). 

and I don't think that even scratches the surface of how great the American Family Children's Hospital is.  It truly is a great place to be (if you have to be in the hospital that is) and I am grateful for all the things they do to make it more comfortable for all.