Into the unknown (Day +2)

We are now into day 2 of Max's post transplant journey. The conditioning regime of chemo and ATG have all but wiped out his existing bone marrow and immune function. Now the wait is on for the infused cord blood stem cells to find their way, seemingly by magic, into Max's bones and reboot his immune system. To put it into an analogy, pre-transplant (conditioning phase) was like driving on a bumpy road sometimes driving over little stones and other times having to treck over huge boulders. Transplant Day we drove off a cliff - and we are now falling, we don't know when we are going to hit the ground, but when we do, we will be back on the road to recovery. We have been told that Day +7 to Day +12 are the worst (hitting the ground) from then slowly Max's new cells will find their way to their new home and will be dividing rapidly and doing their job. In this photo you can see a little of the welts which covered Max's body. They are now on the decline...

Yesterday we had a horrid Day. From 9.30am Max began screaming in pain.....ALL DAY! Tim likened it to that episode of the Simpsons where Homer wouldn't stop screaming after a visit to the hypnotist. I found this so emotionally difficult as Tim wanted to help sooth Max, but all Max wanted was me. I felt terrible and helpless on so many levels....what do you do? I managed to duck out of the room to have a quick bite of dinner. Upon return Tim stated that within the last couple of minutes he had successfully quietened Max by recounting all the wonderful things they will be doing together once we are all home again. Naturally once Max spied that I was in the room again, the screaming restarted and Daddy was told to "GO AWAY... MUMMY HERE, MUMMY MUMMY MUMMY!!!" 

Cathetar came out yesterday! The relief for us all was shortlived as we were told (after an ultra sound - the machine was brought into the room) that Max was carrying a large amount of urine in his bladder. If it doesn't come out the cathetar would need to be re-inserted....NOOOOOOooooooo. One nurse suggested that a warm bath would help. Ha! Getting Max into a bath? But I thought I'd much prefer to try it, than to have to put the cathetar back in. So Tim and I set up the bath, undressed Max, unplugged all the SEVEN(!) power cords of his IV pole and carried him into the bathroom. As soon as he spotted the bath the piercing shreaking and total body thrashing began. I hate looking at Max's eyes during these times as they have the look of complete and utter fear. As expected we were not successful in getting him to sit, stand of even come close to the water.....however the sheer fear and terror he must have been experiencing set off the waterworks.....wee everywhere! Woo Hoo!! I have never been more happy to be soaked in urine! Well Done my brave wonderful Max!!! I love you so much it hurts!!!!

I decided that I had to have a sleep last night so, Tim was on night duty. Apparently Max slept well....Thank goodness. He continues to sleep soundly now....as you can see.

Thankyous

Marg, John and family for the fantastic book and toy. You cannot go wrong with 'Thomas' or Tonka.

Ian and Elsa for the wonderful musical truck

Pip (Cus) for the display boards - they are awesome! x