Hello Everyone,
Many of you have been asking for updates on Bradley’s health and how the chemotherapy treatment is given, so here is the latest:
Yesterday we went to UCSF Med Center for his scheduled treatment. It was a very long day for all of us. First we went to have front and side view chest x-rays taken, of his organs. Bradley doesn’t mind this part at all, as it doesn’t hurt and he only needs to stand still, and since he is used to having his picture taken, he enjoyed it. After all seeing your insides can be fun!
Next we went to another building where he had a sonogram performed. In the past he hasn’t minded this, but yesterday he was uncomfortable, and wanted it over with “Right Now,” as he demanded. Since he only has one kidney, they checked it thoroughly, along with his liver, bladder, heart, and lungs. Again this test showed no abnormalities.
Bradley stopped me from putting on his shirt by saying, “Daddy, you missed some jelly.” As I quickly found out that Daddy’s “sponge bath” was not completed. After cleaning the rest of the jelly off his tummy, he earned a Halloween candy bar from the nurse, which was devoured faster than you could say “Trick-or-Treat.”
Next we went upstairs to have his vitals taken. Height and blood pressure were normal. Height, normal? Well, you know. The concern over the last few months has been his weight, this whole episode has caused him to eat less, and thus lose weight, but over the last 3 weeks he has been eating so much more, and is now just 4/10’s of a pound less than when we went to the Hospital on 7-8-00. He has gained back all most 6 1/2 lbs!! This was really good news and although I would like to think that Daddy’s cooking, and game playing to eat more was the reason, I know it also is his desire and determination to get well.
During and after many meals he says, “Daddy are you proud of me, that I eat all this?” It goes without saying the answer is always a big YES accompanied by a smile and a kiss.
Next we went across the building to the Pediatrics Dept., where the chemo is administered. Here we had a long wait, as there were many children there ahead of us. We played with the toys in the waiting room, which is connected to the main treatment room with 4 stations set up, and on occasion I would help the nurses with the others. I consider myself a pro at this now, plus it helped speed things up.
When it was our turn, we headed for a private room. Here Bradley hopped right up on the table as he was anticipating “Daddy’s Magic,” where I would make the table rise and lower with a little “Abra-Cadabra.” OK, so he knows I push the floor pedals, he still has fun with it.
When the nurse wheeled his tray in, containing all the hoses, needles, drugs, cleansing pads, etc., his smile disappeared as the tough part was now about to happen. We held him in the chair as the nurse cleaned and prepared his PORT, then with the whole building listening to the screams, the needle was inserted.
As stated, yesterday was a particularly bad day for some reason, he was very upset, and not shy about letting everyone know it. He eventually calmed down as Daddy put the “Winnie the Pooh” video in the TV. His red tense body, soon relaxed as the drugs were administered and the IV was inserted. Now we waited for the Zofran to drip in. This is the drug that helps with the nausea afterwards.
Once done, and the PORT was cleaned, the “fun band-aid” was applied. Bradley was able to head to the toy box to pick out a toy. However, this luster has worn off over the weeks as he would much rather forfeit the toy if he did not need to get “poked,” as he calls it. He quietly and half heartedly picked a toy, then after a brief meeting with the head nurse we headed to the car. Bradley ate two crackers before drifting off into dream land. How lucky, he gets to sleep while Daddy battles the traffic home.
The doctors are very proud and optimistic of his progress, even though he has a hard time with being “poked,” he is handling the treatment well. Even though we are thrilled that we are in the home stretch of this treatment, it can’t be over fast enough.
WE want to thank you all for the cards, presents, calls, hugs, prayers, and support you have given. Words cannot express this enough 
Love Dino and Bradley