Sunday, April 5, 2009

In the Fight of His Life

Maxer is deep into the fight of his life. He's really not feeling well right now and it has been quite intense lately. This is what we expected but it's still very tough. His blood pressure has been giving the doctor's and nurses's some fits. They have tried for three days now to get it under control and seem to be having some mixed success today. It has been quite nerve racking for Matt and I to watch. He is spiking pressures in the 165/112 range...WAY too high for his age! In addition, he has been continuing to have bad nausea and vomitting, despite their attempts to get that under control too. He also seems to be developing mucositis today which is where the digestive tract develops sores from the chemotherapy and causes pain in the throat and mouth (from the sores) and more stomach irritation.

I don't tell you all this to depress you or make you feel badly for Max, although I'm sure it will do that. I tell you just so you understand what he is going through and how difficult this is for a little seven year old boy. I told him last night that sometimes in life things have to get worse before they get better but that after he gets through this, he will be able to accomplish anything he sets his mind to in life! He will be the toughest kid that anyone knows! This is the fight of his life.


Ellee seems to be healing very well. She is very pale, which is to be expected given the amount of marrow that they took from her body and she is on iron to help her rebuild that. They have said that it could take up to 6 weeks for her to get herself back to where she was before the harvest. However, other than the paleness, she seems to be feeling fine and getting around in her curious and mischevious ways just like before!

Alex is hanging in there too. He definitely misses being all together but he is "staying strong" for his brother and has adjusted to not having Maxi and his mom or dad around. He had a great time hanging with his Papi and his Aunt and cousins last week while the transplant was going on. It made him feel very special to have some extra fun during that scary time.

Matt and I are coping. I have to say that watching Max go through all of this lately has probably been some of the toughest times for us. He just feels miserable and it is scary to see his blood pressure going crazy like that and to watch him get sick time and time again when there is nothing in his little tummy to get out. We have put our trust in the doctors and nurses here and know that they are doing everything they can to make this work and to get Max through it with as little pain and sufferring as possible. We also continue to trust that God is with Max and will get him through this and put him on the path to healing very soon. We take comfort in the fact that Dr. Davies told us at the beginning of this process that these two weeks would be when Max was feeling the worst and that he would need us the most during this time. It's just still not easy.

So, please continue your thoughts and prayers for us...we know that they are making a difference and that they will sustain us through this most difficult time. Max will get through this and will go on to live one heck of a life...we know it. This process will make him even stronger and more capable of becoming someone spectacular.
Peace, love and hugs to all.
Kristi (and Matt, Max, Alex and Ellee)

P.S. - How bout them Spartans?!?! Go MSU!!!! One bright light in the midst of all this! Maxer had them in the final game with XU so, he is doing quite well in his pool.

8 comments:

  1. First of all, let me say that you are faced with something that any parent wouldn't wish on their worst enemy. I can't even imagine what it is like going through this day by day. I know you guys try to stay positive but that is the truth. I just KNOW it will get better soon, and remember we discussed last time I saw you, Max probably will barely remember this experience as he gets older (like Amy only remembered that midieval device they used on her in the hospital when she was 10! ha! : ), although he will have become a more courageous, determined and resilient person as a result of going through it. And so will you. I love you guys and am thinking about you! Kirsten

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  2. Max, Kristi, Matt, Alex and Ellee,
    You are always on my mind and in my prayers. Your courage is mind boggling. Max was one tough, strong little boy going into this and he will come out of it even stronger I am sure. We will keep the prayers coming. I'm rooting for the Spartans too.
    Love,
    Aunt Mary Rebold

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  3. Wow...it must be so hard to be going through this. I'm praying for you all the time, and thinking about you all the time.

    I wanted to mention that Miss Violette has had iron issues on and off. She LOVES the YoBaby yogurt plus fruit and cereal in the green packages as below - it has 45% of the RDA of Iron (you get it at the kroger on beechmont in the organic aisle at the front of the store.) It doesn't seem to slow her system down as much as the vitamins do...and it is extra yummy!

    http://www.aviglatt.com/Product.asp?intProdID=7148&source=googleps

    I hope the time passes quickly for all of you, and am so glad this happened during basketball season, quckly leading into baseball!

    Missy

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  4. We continue to pray for Max and your whole family. It is amazing how strong you all have been as you have and continue to go through this. Our thoughts are with you. Asa, Dick, Kristina & Erik Durtsche

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  5. I'll be praying for you tonight when I get a quiet moment! I know it's gotta be hard when you have see Max feeling bad. Hopefully things will improve day by day. Go Spartans! I have them winning it all. Jen

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  6. We continue to pray for you and think of you often. Thank you for the updates. So sorry to hear what a tough time you all are going through, Meyers. We will pray that Max's blood pressure would stabilize, that his sores would heal, that his nausea would subside. I hope that you are able to find some peace in these rough days.

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  7. I am glad you are explaining what you are going through on the blog...it helps everyone know what is happening.

    I am praying for Max to get some relief with his tummy and the doctors to figure out his blood pressure.

    No matter how much the doctors prepared you for these difficult days/weeks, it can't help a parent and family who is witnessing their child feeling so badly. I thank God Max has you and Matt.

    We love you guys and hope Max feels better soon.

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  8. Thanks for the updates ... it helps us all feel so much more connected. Just the like LCR Lenten image -- as we get closer to each other, we are closer to Christ, and as we closer to Christ, we are closer to each other. I think and pray for you all often and send positive energy your way to uphold you. Max, already a little dynamo, will come out of this even more strong, determined, courageous and probably a much more compassionate person too! He'll sure understand pain and suffering. But also the joys of a large community of supporters. I'm thinking his blood pressure is due to all of us praying so hard that Ellee's cells multiply and take hold ... maybe they are doing so at an amazing rate!! :) I'm sure that's not a medically accurate rational, but a positive thought! love and peace, christie

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