Day 8 Post transplant

We did all our normal routine things of cleaning, shower, sheets change, rubbing cream, blood tests, meds and machines buzzing. We also watched movies, played Wii, did some drawing and played DS. Brody also had yet another platelet transfusion today as his levels were low. If he has low platelets it can cause bleeding, as platelets help to clog the blood.

Brody's rash seems to be getting worse as it looks like it is spreading. In the photo you can see the real red parts but not the spots that are faint. The other photo is of our 7 machines which we call our chrissy tree as they light up and make all different sounds.

Brody's temps have gone down again, but the doctors still think that they will go up and his effects will get worse. But they have said that they are pleased with the way he is coping with everything. I also felt really proud of my self as they told me that i have done a great job with getting him ready with everything and the way he is still happy and not getting to sick of everything. But thanks to the help with ABI, as i wouldn't of got this far without them. They also told me i had two great boys, Well i always knew that one, as i have raised them with all my love and made sure they respect others.

Day 7- Post transplant

Brody started the day happy and full of beans. He did a little bit of craft and played a superhero card game.

Then all the fun started as the blood lady came in to take his blood, she did the arm first, but no blood would come out, then she twirled the needle around and took it out a bit to try again and again, but no luck. So after looking at the other arm and his hands, squeezing and pulling, she decided to do his hand. But she only got a little bit of blood, but left Brody in tears and pain and me feeling stressed and angry as i had to be the nasty person to hold him down for it all.

All this stress on Brody made him have a dirty nappy so then i had to change him, and while i did all the doctors had walked in. Great, no privacy. They told me Brody's temps will still go up and down, there is no sign of infection at the moment in his bloods. They also gave me a cream that i can rub on his dry skin. But they are pleased with his progress.

I gave Brody his shower and changed his dressing for his cords and his nose tube dressing, as they need to be done once a week. He really hates this as the stickys are really sticky and hurt when they are pulled off.

The afternoon he was tired out and just layed in his bed and watched Tv.

Thank you again to all my family and friends helping us and supporting us, we couldn't do it without you all. xoxo There is also a big thank list on the side wall of the blog page. Thanks again.

Day 6- Post Transplant

Today was a hard day for Brody as his high temps have come back and he had to have a sponge bath. I cleaned him all up and then he vomited all over himself, so i had to clean him up again and the nurse helped me to change his sheets. He then had the runs all over the floor, so i had to clean him and the floor up again. Poor little man.

He also has a red spotty rash, which is more on his head and face, with a couple of them on his body. The doctors don't know what the rash is at this time, we just have to keep an eye on it.

He had more chemo today plus his usually meds and 7 machines. For the first time he drank a little bit of water. He has also had blood test after blood test, which i think he is getting use to as he tells the lady how to do her job.

Brody is weak and cold from the high temps and still loves watching his movies and playing Wii.
Today was the first day he had a sleep.

Every day i have to go around wiping all the cupboards, my computer, Tv and our posters etc down to keep dust and germs away. The nurses have a stock of all the things they need in the room with a trolley so that they are not bringing in things from outside. A cleaner comes in every day to clean the room and floors. My hands have started to wrinkle, dry and sore as the skin is breaking from all the hand washing i have to do. As before any one touches Brody they have to wash their hands with a special cleaner. But its all for the safety of Brody's health.

Day 5- Post transplant

Today was a slow day, as not much happened. Brody was feeling alot better as he enjoyed playing with his Wii, thanks to the Morris family xoxo.

He had to have a platelet transfusion and potassium added to his drip. His head and face aren't red anymore. But he still has dark red patches on his elbows, arms, legs and bottom area.
His bottom is still sore as his skin has teared.

His temps have been low but are starting to go back up again. He is still on pain killers and all other meds.

Day 4

Brody's temps have gone down for now, but he still has all the other problems mention in yesterdays post. He is not his happy self as he just lays there watching movies all day.

The nurse take blood from him to check levels but he also has to have either a finger prick or needle to get blood out of his arm. He has always hated needles so this can be very difficult for both of us as i still have to hold him down to get the nurse to do it.

Any type of activity (eg. A shower or sponge bath) tries him out. Brody is not eating or drinking or swallowing his tablets any more, but he is on fluids and feeds. He has 7 different machines that are for 7 different things that go into his body. He also has his normal meds crushed and put into his nose tube at morning and night and then other meds that they add to his cords. It never stops.

We have been here for 4 weeks now and i am getting very tried, as with all these machines buzzing, nurses in and out every one to two hours, and the little bed i have to sleep on. I do not get much sleep, as soon as i fall something happens and i am awake again.

I just try to get through each day, by forcing my self to get up, and start the routine. So i don't think about to much as i would just get to confused. The first thing on my mind is Brody and by the looks of things if all goes good it will be another couple of years before we could be back to normal. BUt Brody and my family mean the world to me and i will always do whats best for them.

Day 3- post Transplant

Luke went back to Queensland today, we will miss him so much. He is still in alittle bit of pain but he will get better soon enough. Grandma has brought a supply of the iron tablets so he has enough for a couple of months. Hopefully he will remeber to take them.

Brody has finally been knocked down!!! he has pain and high temps. Doctors have told me the high temps can last for the next 2 weeks. They have him on regularly morphine and anti biotics. The morphine is keeping him comfortable, but he just lays on his bed, holding my hand and watching movies. The doctors have also told me that it will get worse before we are done.

The pain i am feeling watching him like this and having to make him get up and have a shower or get a needle or finger prick is killing me. But one thing i have learnt from my son is love will get as through and nothing is going to knock me down to comfort and help my little man get better.

Brody has had some moments where he has put on a brave face, (like in this photo). The shirt Brody is wearing is a OFF DUTY LIFE SAVER singlet, as he was going to start nippers this year at Forster/Tuncurry Beaches. He loved swimming at the beach and used to swim right out to the shark nets with floaty on. He had no fear and would always try and run back into the water when we were getting ready to go home. So he is OFF DUTY for now, until he is well enough to join up.

Day2- post Transplant

We had a normal morning and after mid day Brody was not himself, he was very tired, frustrated, crying easy and just feeling down.

He has started to get Mucositis, which is a painful ulceration of the mouth, throat and gut and can also cause cramping, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Brody has the diarrhoea with a very sore and red bottom. His temps are in the low 37, his head is still red and saw to touch. He has one blister on each ear.

The pain doctors have hooked up heavy pain killers if needed for the weekend but at the moment he is having some panadol. The transplant doctors are slowing down his feeds and giving him all the vitamins in the drip to give his gut a little break and help it heal.

After the panadol he was feeling better and watched some movies in bed just having a rest, as bye now he was awake again and couldn't sleep.