Levi went back to Riley the middle of last week to have his second treatment of chemo. The second treatment is the hardest on the body. It causes sores in the mouth and throat making it almost impossible to eat or drink anything. Before Levi could have the second treatment started he needed to be hydrated as much as possible to help reduce the side effects of the chemo. The chemo was administered and within a couple of hours he was feeling the effects. As soon as the treatment is began an iv of fluid is started to begin pushing the chemo out of the body because of the damage that it causes.
Everyone hoped that he would be able to go home on Sunday, that his blood count and hydration levels would be what they needed to be. However, he was not released on Sunday or even Monday due to his lab work coming back unsatisfactory. Yesterday Levi was given Tylenol 3 to help with the pain of the sores in his mouth which has allowed him to drink more increasing his hydration level.
At this time it is still unknown if he will be allowed to leave for home today. Please continue to pray for him and his family. His parents have had to miss work due to this chemo treatment.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
lint roller and tape
He has begun losing his hair but not his sense of humor. Levi asked his mom for a lint roller and some tape so that he could just remove the hair more quickly. As he rolled the lint roller over his head hair stuck to it and came out. I am told he thought that it was pretty ingenious to do it that way.
What a great blessing that a sense of humor can be in moments of trial.
What a great blessing that a sense of humor can be in moments of trial.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I am pleased to introdue to you..
Levi.
Levi had just celebrated his 10th birthday, finished another season of baseball and was looking forward to rooting his favorite team, the Texas Rangers, and his favorite player, Josh Hamilton, far in the MLB post season. When on September 15, 2012, he was diagnosed with osteo-sarcoma, bone cancer, in his left knee. A couple of weeks prior to the diagnosis he had complained of his knee bothering him to his father. His father, Ryan, and his mother, Kelli, looked at the knee and noticed that it seemed swollen. They just thought that Levi had injured it playing ball somehow but wanted a doctor to check it out. An appointment was scheduled and this is where their lives along with Levi's mother, Kelli and his two sisters', Peyton and Parker, took a dramatic turn. Instead of beginning 4th grade with his classmates he would begin attending Riley Children's Hospital for treatment. On September 26th a bone scan was done to determine if the cancer was isolated in his left knee. The scan revealed that it was. One of the first blessings from our Heavenly Father. The pediatric oncologist discussed with Ryan and Kelli his prescribed treatment plan and told them to go home and discuss it and to decide what they wanted to do. Ryan asked the physician what he would do if it was his child and if he was a Christian. The physician responded that he was indeed a Christian and if it was his child he would go forward with the said treatment. Ryan and Kelli had prayed to know the Lord's will and were satisfied with doctor's answers. They left Riley with Levi knowing that a long hard road was ahead of them but that the Lord was guiding them in what needed to be done. Following the conversation with the pediatric oncologist Ryan took an opportunity to talk with Levi and to explain as best he could what would be happening over the next couple of months....chemo, losing his hair, not attending school, not being allowed to walk without a leg brace and crutches, and having surgery. Levi looked at his dad and posed this question, "Dad, are you scared?" Ryan promptly answered, "No." To which Levi said, "Well, Dad then neither am I."
Levi had his first treatment of chemo on September 29th and 30th. It takes 48 hours for the entire treatment to be administered. His doctors and nurses at Riley commented on how well his first treatment went. They reminded Levi, Ryan and Kelli that in about two weeks he would begin losing his hair. And that as long as his blood count stayed in the normal range he wouldn't have to return to Riley for about 2 1/2 weeks. Levi and his dad along with an uncle shaved each other's heads.
As of today, October 23rd, Levi has remained healthy enough to stay at home with his parents and sisters. He has a teacher who helps his stay current on his school work as best as he can and he also has a nurse who checks on him twice a week to do a mandatory blood draw to check his blood levels.
Levi and his family are amazed already at the outpouring of love, support, and prayers on their behalf. They have been able to share their faith with coworkers and hospital staff and would love to ask you to remember their family in your prayers and thoughts.
Levi's grandmother has been spearheading an effort to raise money to defray hospital and treatment costs by selling bracelets and t-shirts that say, "Levi, we will win." If you would like to purchase either just message me and I will get the item to you.
Levi had just celebrated his 10th birthday, finished another season of baseball and was looking forward to rooting his favorite team, the Texas Rangers, and his favorite player, Josh Hamilton, far in the MLB post season. When on September 15, 2012, he was diagnosed with osteo-sarcoma, bone cancer, in his left knee. A couple of weeks prior to the diagnosis he had complained of his knee bothering him to his father. His father, Ryan, and his mother, Kelli, looked at the knee and noticed that it seemed swollen. They just thought that Levi had injured it playing ball somehow but wanted a doctor to check it out. An appointment was scheduled and this is where their lives along with Levi's mother, Kelli and his two sisters', Peyton and Parker, took a dramatic turn. Instead of beginning 4th grade with his classmates he would begin attending Riley Children's Hospital for treatment. On September 26th a bone scan was done to determine if the cancer was isolated in his left knee. The scan revealed that it was. One of the first blessings from our Heavenly Father. The pediatric oncologist discussed with Ryan and Kelli his prescribed treatment plan and told them to go home and discuss it and to decide what they wanted to do. Ryan asked the physician what he would do if it was his child and if he was a Christian. The physician responded that he was indeed a Christian and if it was his child he would go forward with the said treatment. Ryan and Kelli had prayed to know the Lord's will and were satisfied with doctor's answers. They left Riley with Levi knowing that a long hard road was ahead of them but that the Lord was guiding them in what needed to be done. Following the conversation with the pediatric oncologist Ryan took an opportunity to talk with Levi and to explain as best he could what would be happening over the next couple of months....chemo, losing his hair, not attending school, not being allowed to walk without a leg brace and crutches, and having surgery. Levi looked at his dad and posed this question, "Dad, are you scared?" Ryan promptly answered, "No." To which Levi said, "Well, Dad then neither am I."
Levi had his first treatment of chemo on September 29th and 30th. It takes 48 hours for the entire treatment to be administered. His doctors and nurses at Riley commented on how well his first treatment went. They reminded Levi, Ryan and Kelli that in about two weeks he would begin losing his hair. And that as long as his blood count stayed in the normal range he wouldn't have to return to Riley for about 2 1/2 weeks. Levi and his dad along with an uncle shaved each other's heads.
As of today, October 23rd, Levi has remained healthy enough to stay at home with his parents and sisters. He has a teacher who helps his stay current on his school work as best as he can and he also has a nurse who checks on him twice a week to do a mandatory blood draw to check his blood levels.
Levi and his family are amazed already at the outpouring of love, support, and prayers on their behalf. They have been able to share their faith with coworkers and hospital staff and would love to ask you to remember their family in your prayers and thoughts.
Levi's grandmother has been spearheading an effort to raise money to defray hospital and treatment costs by selling bracelets and t-shirts that say, "Levi, we will win." If you would like to purchase either just message me and I will get the item to you.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Author's background
I was asked to write this blog about my cousin's son, Levi. I will be giving updates concerning him as I receive them. Please support him and his family with your prayers and well wishes.
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