Pain Management III

After two three-day periods with two Fentanyl patches, Alan has been doing well after stepping back down to a single patch. Between the two patches and being sick, Alan had been very sleepy, napping through the day and unable to keep up at school for more than a couple of hours.

On Friday, despite being the day after chemo, Alan was able to stay for his full day at PPCD - that's being picked up for the bus at 7 am until 10:30. His PPCD teacher shared the following on Alan's Angels:

We were so happy. He has 6 momma bears watching over him at school! lol! We were thrilled with his day! We have got the balance - I think, of watching him carefully and not hovering. It is hard not to scoop him up and do everything for him. However, he wants SO much to do it himself and really won't let us do it for him. He really likes being another kid blending in with the other kids in class. That is priceless to see. You really can't spot him when you walk in the room because he is in the thick of it with his buddies. It is just lovely:)

He's been perky, even feisty to the point of trying to grab the doorway to keep from being carried into his room for bed time. Another sign that he is feeling better is that he is resisting when we give him the Gabapenten. When he was in severe pain he would welcome the syringe and even pull it into his mouth.

The fact that we can control his pain with a single patch and the Gabapenten without any Hydrocodone is a hopeful sign that the chemo is working on the tumor. Even more hopeful is that we have our happy boy back. He's been playful and happy and he's even trying to walk again. It's great to see him literally back on his feet!


Out for lunch, Alan counts all the choices on the menu.


Alan kicking back and watching the Super Bowl. All those numbers on the screen were fun!



Making a Valentine's Bag at school.