June 15th, 2012 - Chemotherapy Treatment #57

Today was a long day at the hospital. Peyton had 2 different vision exams and an MRI. One was while he was awake and one was done before the MRI. We walked in the hospital at 8:15 and didn't leave until almost 5:00 pm. Landon, thankfully, was with Leroy and Darlene. We had to wait unitl Monday for Peyton to get treatment because there was no time on Friday for a 3-4 hour treatment on top of the already packed schedule. The doctor came in to see us as Peyton was beginning treatment. She had great news for us.....one of Peyton's tumors (around his brain) had shrunk significantly! WOW! First good news we've had in almost 2 years! The other tumors look the same, but we are now hopeful this new treatment might be the combination that will finally work for Peyton. What a beautiful perfect day! I finally felt like I could breathe; like a load was lifted off my shoulders!!!! I can't explain how we felt. Peyton responded a little differently. He said, "Does this mean I will finally be able to see?" That pulled at my heartstrings a bit, but we explained that unfortunately no he won't be able to see better, but that chemotherapy is working and he can finish up with it someday and hopefully his vision won't get any worse. Very tough to explain to a 6 year old. It was a bittersweet moment for us. He was ok with our answer and even told a few people the good news about one of his tumors shrinking so he internalized it to some degree. Good news in Peyton's mind (I think) would be no more chemo and being able to see like everyone else. I don't blame him.....that's my prayer too. But I realize he will never have more vision than he does right now.....but I will continue to pray it doesn't get worse. We also talked to the doctor about Peyton's nausea medicine not being effective anymore. She prescribed another medicine for him to take in addition to the two he already takes. She said this medicine will work for his nausea and he shouldn't throw up anymore. However, she did say it would make him "loopy" and tired. So.....good news was Peyton didn't throw up....bad news was he was more than loopy he was essentially drunk!! And he was NOT tired. He didn't go to bed until after 10 pm! I'm fairly certain the recommended dose was a bit too much. He couldn't hold his head up or even walk. He was saying really bizarre things and doing things I couldn't believe. None of which I want to even share.....I just know that it was too much medicine for him. We are going to talk with the doctor before the next treatment and see if we can find a more accurate dose for him. It was just as hard watching him act like this as it was watching him throwing up all night. Surely we can find a better balance.