The Nathan Report

Thurs., July 11 to Thurs., July 18, 2002

Nathan remained mostly at home, in good spirits, and with a
reasonable amount of energy. He enjoys outings, although he is
not strong enough to walk too much, and uses a wheelchair. He
continues to go to the Cross Cancer Institute for radiation
on each working day. This is a procedure that we are all growing
quite familiar with.

On Mon., July 15, Nathan was put under a brief general anesthetic
and given a new stomach tube unit. This one is a Mic-key, and comes
with a detachable tube that can be cleaned and replaced readily.
He also got cyclophosphamide 2.4 grams, as a part of his ongoing
chemotherapy regime. He spent one night in the UAH, and then returned
home.

Fri. July 19 to Sun., July 28, 2002

Nathan remained at home, going each weekday to the Cross C. I. for
radiation therapy. His face, in the irradiated zone, got redder and
redder, and his eyes watered a bit. He also got a slight cold. To
boot, he developed conjunctivitus in his R eye, and a rash on his
back.

On Sat., July 27, he went to the UAH in the afternoon to have his rash
etc., checked out. Over the 'phone, the pediatric oncologist on call
said that the rash may be herpes. As it all turned out, Nathan has
shingles, and was put in one of the isolation rooms in the pediatric
oncology ward at the UAH.

Mon., July 29 to Thurs., Aug. 2, 2002

Nathan remained in the UAH, in an isolation room. He rode daily to the
CCI in an ambulance for radiation therapy. He continues to be treated
for shingles (herpes zoster), and he has had some blood in his stool,
possibly indicating another c-diff infection. Also, on Mon., he got a
half-dosage of vincristine, one of his regular chemo drugs.

Fri., Aug. 3 to Wed., Aug. 7, 2002

Nathan was sent home from the UAH on Fri. His shingles are drying up
and diminishing in extent. Radiation therapy started again on Tues.,
and will continue until the end of next week. His field (area
irradiated) has been narrowed. His face is badly burned but healing
up well. There will be more chemo on Thurs.

Thurs., Aug. 8 to Sun., Aug. 11, 2002

Nathan went into the UAH on Thurs. for chemo, a half dose of
vincristine and cyclophosphamide. He was released on Fri., just in
time for the Edmonton Folk Festival. He was there off and on all
w/e, in good spirits.

Mon., Aug. 12 to Tues., Aug. 20, 2002

Nathan has remained at home, and is handling things quite well. He
went to his father's cabin for the first time since he was diagnosed
in Feb. His radiation therapy finished last week, and his face is
starting to heal up.
Wed., Aug. 21 to Fri., Aug. 23, 2002

On Thurs., N. went to the CCI for a half dose of vincristine. His eyes
were bothering him, and he was sent to the opthamology clinic at the
nearby UAH. He was taken off of his Prednisolone anti-inflamatory eye
drops and given a mild eye lubricant. However, on Fri., his eyes were
worse, and he went back to the opth. clinic. However, an examination
showed no sign of eye problems.

Sat., Aug. 24 to Sat, Aug. 31, 2002

Nathan remained at home, and his eyes slowly started to get better.
He listened to quite a few story tapes, and chatted a bit more than
usual. On Wed., Aug. 28, he went into the UAH for chemo (VAC), and was
released on Fri., Afternoon. He was still quite photosensitive, but
his eyes continue to improve. On Sat., Aug. 31, he left for camp with
his mother and sister. He is due to return on Monday night.

Sun., Sept. 1 to Fri., Sept. 6, 2002

Camp was a washout! On Sunday, Nathan started vomitting blood, and
was returned to the UAH. As it turns out, he is c-diff positive once
again. This means that he has an intestinal infection.

Sat., Sept. 7 to Thurs., Sept. 12, 2002

Nathan came home on Sun. His c-diff was under control, and he was
doing well. He will continue to receive medication for this at home.
And, there was some very good news. A bone scan showed no sign of
cancer, and a CT scan on his head revealed that bone was growing at
the site of his tumour. This is very auspicious, as bone growth is not
compatible with cancer!

This report continues in nathan4.htm. Just go back to the top, go to
"Nathan" and then click on the "Sept. 16..." link.

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