CT, pulmonary, and art

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

This morning Dillon had a CT of his sinuses, chest, abdomen, and pelvis.  They were once again confirming the chest mass and the lymph nodes, but also any lingering or hiding infections in any of those areas.  We will get the results on Thursday.  Obviously, if there is any infection found it will have to be treated before the pre-transplant chemo can begin.

Here are some photos of the mural on the walls in the CT room.  The entire room is a zoo, including the ceiling.

We have dear friends here from Santa Fe (neighbors of ours actually) who are up here getting their daughter evaluated for a health condition....so we hooked up for dinner last night and lunch today.  It was lovely to have friends around and to provide some support to someone else for a change.

Dillon and Fae

The second part of today was in pulmonary.  They checked his lung function and a bunch of other stuff related to breathing.  The reason for this is similar to the past evaluations....one is that they want to make sure his lungs are healthy, no infections, no asthma or trouble breathing etc....and also as a baseline to compare during and after transplant because the lungs are one of the areas that can have side effects both short term and long term. The pulmonologist found a little ear infection in Dillon's left ear upon physical exam.....so that re-routed our day back up to the oncology clinic to get the ear looked at by them.  Indeed, a mild infection was confirmed, and he was placed on 2 antibiotics (one oral and one internal in the form of drops).  Big D has been complaining about slight ear pain for a few days so I am glad we caught this.

Check out this cool piece of art we came across in the pulmonary clinic today......as well as one of the elevator floors.  I just love these cute sparkly elevator floors.

Anyone Hungry??

There are different colored floors in every elevator....FUN!!

Dillon is doing great.  Appetite and energy are average;;;  personality and 11-year-old boy orneriness and sassiness fully intact (hahaha).  He is enjoying many foods that will be off limits once he goes inpatient....mostly Caesar salad and lots of raw fruit (especially berries and grapes).

Tomorrow is the last day of the extensive appointments/testing.  There is Neurology and Neuropsychology, as well as nutrition/dietary tomorrow.

On Thursday we meet with Dillon's main oncologist, Dr. Craddock, and go over all the test results and solidify the plans, scheduling, etc. for admission and transplant. 

Sean and Luca will be flying in Friday morning (September 7) and staying through Monday afternoon.  Sunday, September 9, is Luca's 8th birthday.  This is the last weekend that Dillon will be out of the hospital for the next many many weeks....so we are going to live it up.....not a birthday any of us will soon forget!!!

Oh, by the way.....the apartment cleaning regimen is going pretty well.  Mr. Pickle is a great help and I am getting into the groove a bit.