Hi, all ~

Ethan's MRI was last Thursday and like clockwork he became very sick following the procedure.  As I mentioned, this has become part of the routine that eventually passes in several hours.  This time he didn't come out of it.  I was trying everything I could think of to get him to keep even water down, but to no avail.  Even 3 cc of Zofran left over from chemotherapy wouldn't stay put.  He was miserable! 

I remembered all of my "dehydration" training from the chemo days and checked him frequently.  He had a wet, glistening mouth, tears (sadly), and good skin elasticity on the back of his hand.  I was concerned, though, that he hadn't used the restroom since 6:30 that morning in the hospital... 

When evening rolled around and he was still very sick, I dug out the discharge instructions that they don’t even read to me anymore... we're such regular Radiology customers.  I've never had to refer to them, but eagerly read them this time and called the after hours number.  I got lucky and was able to speak to the Anesthesiologist who cared for him early that morning and I explained what was happening.  He said that such a severe reaction was not at all common, but certainly does happen from time to time.  He told me that if Ethan was still sick in the morning, he'd need to be checked out. 

Ethan slept in our room and somehow slept peacefully through the night without incident.  I was thrilled that it had passed, but was jolted awake at 7:00 am to the sound of him heaving - yet again.  Then the big question:  where do I take him?  For the year + that he was on treatment, he never saw his Pediatrician, except on social stops while Ethan happened to be hospitalized or to tag along with his sister for an appointment.  His Oncologist tended to every minute detail of his medical care ~ from a blister to a flu shot.  Once treatment ended, however, his Oncologist naturally encouraged us to re-establish our relationship with his Pediatrician.  Even after a year, my instinct is still to run to his Oncologist when something isn't right... much in the same way I might run to my mom... :-! )  But the rational side of me realized I needed to go to the Pediatrician.  And besides, they began taking phone calls a full hour earlier then the Oncologist office.   

So, I called and ran through what was happening again with a nurse.  She thought they should have a look and we got in to see one of his Doctor at 10:00.  I began to explain the situation in detail to his Doctor and that Ethan had not kept anything down since before his NPO restrictions began on Wednesday (the night before the MRI).  By now, Ethan couldn't walk and wasn't really tracking with us cognitively.  She took a quick look at him and told me to get him to the ER for hydration.  As my panic mode began to kick in, I instinctually asked if I could take him to his Oncologist instead.  I knew they could hydrate him and Ethan and I both have a higher comfort level with Doctors who know him and know his history.  So off we went and they took us in very rapidly ~ much quicker then the ER would ! have, I'm sure.  I still remember sitting in the ER lobby for HOURS with my husband last December when he had meningitis!!  But I digress... 

It took over 1,200 mL of hydration before Ethan’s specific gravity got back to somewhat normal levels.  We shut the office down that night and were the last to leave.  It was very strange to step back into that world again, but in a way it felt like we never left.   

Anyway, on to the really important stuff… his Oncologists called while we were there on Friday and got a wet read on the MRI and they appeared to be stable!!!  We followed up with our regular appointment on Wednesday and they indeed were stable.  Ethan is still battling his left ear, which had a decent amount of fluid in it and likely was the culprit for some of his symptoms.  Its weird to rejoice when your child has an ear infection, but its all relative.   

We also had re-tested his immunoglobulin levels and strangely found NO TRACE of polio immunity.  We had to repeat several of his immunizations following treatment, including polio.  The others seem to have taken hold, but its as if polio was never administered…  I clearly remember repeating that immunization last December (the process of administering shots to Ethan have a way of sticking in your memory…).  I also remember discussing some of the duplicate immunizations last month with his elementary school nurse called with a few questions after scanning his medical form.  I've double checked all of his records again and can’t explain it ~ nor could his Oncologist.  We’re going to try the immunization again and re-check it during his next MRI in December.  I’m hoping that both the shot and the MRI with anesthesia to much smoothly.  They can only get better!!

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and concern.  As usual, your thoughts and prayers are still pulling us through!

Warm Regards, 

Kim.