I know, I am dragging out the top 10 list, but here is Megans #6 pick - Admitted. Less than 24 hours after the worst news of our lives, Megan was admitted to Blank Childrens Hospital. Personally, I have mostly hazy, tearfilled visions of that time. It is impossible to explain the process of wrapping your brain around the concept that your child has cancer. I was still informing family and friends - mostly through Tara who was always by our side. I didnt have to worry about work, as I had been laid off just six days earlier. A blessing in disguise (really ugly disguise), I guess. It was a very steep learning curve trying to figure out what Megan needed, and how we could provide it for her. I do remember the doctors talking to us about putting Megan in a clinical study. To me this felt like a high pressure used car salesman trying to clear a Pinto off the lot. Finally, we asked whether the decision had to be made at that very moment, and they reluctantly admitted that it did not. Her first 28 days of treatment would be the same regardless. Thankfully, that decision was tabled for a later date. At some point I remember Dr. Schwalm coming into her room and drawing a very disturbing picture on the white board. I still have nightmares starring that picture. It was a white blood cell - Megans white blood cell. It had these thingys that could be AML, but it also had these other whats-its that could be ALL, and then there were these other doohickies that might be something else. Its weird, her cells are showing signs of several different types of leukemia. My heart sank, my eyes filled, and I struggled to find a response. In the brief couple days, I had done just enough research to wish for a particular diagnosis - this was clearly not it! More tests would be done, more waiting. In the end, Early T-Cell Precursor Acute Lyphoblastic Leukemia would be the diagnosis. A diagnosis only recognized within the past decade. At least we knew what we were up against - sort of. I remember sleeping in horribly uncomfortable furniture. Note for any Blank staff reading this - spend three nights on any furniture before you buy it! I remember Megans IV pump going off every five minutes. This would eventually be resolved by a nurse coming in, silencing the alarm, and flicking the IV line a couple of times. This elaborate, detailed procedure would allow us an additional five minutes of sleep. It wasnt until the third night that we were told that she could silence the alarm herself, as long as she hit the nurse button. Maybe it is time for new pumps, or calibration of old pumps, or silent alarms, or anything else that might make for a more peaceful sleep. Megan received gifts from family, friends, and volunteers. A wonderful gift of an Ipod from Taras office, was promptly used to Facetime with her dog Jasper (I think some cousins were called as well)! Meals were delivered to homes and the hospital. I remember a lasagna meal at a corner table near Megans room. That weekend we had a basketball game for Noah and a cub scout banquet. Remarkably, we made it to both to show the little man that he was still a part of it all. It was amazing the support we received! I am still incredibly humbled by the selflessness shown to our family. It was the beginning of this amazing story of one 12 year old girls battle with a life threatening illness. This page has been an attempt to share that journey. Today, Megan is still working through her mobility challenges. She is walking well with her braces and walker. She is much stronger now that she is off the steroids. It will be a long road back to full health, but she is on her way. Thank you all again for your love and support. Please continue your prayers for Megan, and the other warriors that are still fighting the fight. Dad
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 01:00:37 +0000