Finally asleep

Alan has been grunting his way through the day, trying to get comfortable. This evening, we took a break from the Baby Einstein marathon and I put The Sound of Music in the DVD player instead. He seems to enjoy it for a change. Who doesn't love Julie Andrews?

He's finally relaxed and asleep now. He actually slept through a whole set of vitals. But I know there's a big blowout coming!

Treatment and consquences

The chemotherapy certainly seems to be doing it's job. The swelling continues to go down, but there are other consequences to a dying tumour. As it dies, the tumour is consuming protein, so last night Alan got some albumen by IV. He also got another blood transfusion to support his hemoglobin levels so they don't drop dangerously low if the tumour starts a bleed. That was unpleasant since they require a blood pressure reading every hour while he is being transfused. He hates the BP cuff to begin with, and now they were doing it every hour while he was trying to sleep. Another effect of attacking the tumour is a rise in his uric acid levels, which is treated with a drug via IV.

Be warned, potty discussion ahead

Alan has been extremely cranky and irritable today because he is badly constipated. There have been a host of factors contributing to this: his gut has been shoved aside by the tumour, the chemotherapy drugs and morphine for his pain are very binding, and the anaesthesia and procedures last week have reduced his activity level.

We have tried various medications by mouth and IV, but we have had very small results. He has been uncomfortable for days, sometimes rolling onto his knees and waving his little bum in the air as he toots the gas away. Today, he has been grunting since 5:30 am, even as he naps. When the doctor came to see us this morning, he decided to order an enema. It won't be pleasant, but I know he will feel better afterwards. Thank goodness Daddy is finished for the day and on his way as we speak.