We had an extremely long day at clinic on Monday, Jan. 25 - we spent a good ten hours at the clinic arriving at 6:45 am.  Oliver began the day with the standard bloodwork, then received a spinal tap with methotrexate, then received cyclophoshamide, cytarabine (ARA-C) and then 4 hours of fluids.  The fluids are to prevent irritation or blood clots in the bladder, a common side effect of the new chemo drugs.  Needless to say, he was wiped out on Monday.  He also starts a new drug, thiaguanine to take orally for the next two weeks.  We left with his port accessed, as he will receive IV chemo (ARA-C) at home Tuesday - Thursday of this week.  A nurse came to the house yesterday (Tuesday) and administered the first home chemo and checked Oliver's port dressing.  We were a bit shocked when the nurse left the drugs for the remainder of the week with directions and told us we had to administer the remaining treatments and that he would return on Thursday to check the dressing. 

It seems the forces are culminating for a perfect storm - between Oliver's treatments, expecting new baby, and work, the stress is overwhelming at times.  We are just trying to get by day by day and continually pray for strength.  Oliver has been so great throughout this - we are blessed that he has such a compassionate and strong spirit.  Next week we anticipate a a repeat of this week's treatments - only no spinal on Monday and we anticipate Oliver needing transfusions either next week and/or the following week as the copious drugs take over his system.