Submitted by Cindy Green

Before they started the chemo, Austin’s bottom gum had doubled in size, his teeth looked like they were sitting in jelly and that a dime could sit between each of the teeth.

Austin’s protocol started the afternoon of December 3 with the Reduction Phase, which introduces chemo to the body slowly. They also started hydrating him making him pee every 2 hours day and night, measuring his inputs and outputs.

If they were to start off with a strong dose of chemo, the cancer cells would form a thick mass somewhere in the body causing far more damage or complications. The cancer cells are very tricky and may hide, in the spine fluid that travels up to the brain causing spinal meningitis. Spinal Taps are preformed, extracting fluid from the spine and which is then sent to the lab, and chemo is replaced incase cancer cells are found.

The next phases are 2 Induction Phases, the second phase is doubled in dose, and there is 6 different chemicals given in 6 days. Each day, during this time, Austin has blood work done and we watch four levels closely. The Hemoglobin’s, which carry Oxygen in the blood, drop less than a count of 80, he needs a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion takes up to 4 hours, and if a fever spikes the transfusin must be stopped because the temperature eats up the new blood making it useless. Blood transfusions will increase only the hemoglobin’s; they do not restore the white blood cells. Austin has had 9 of these transfusions already.

The White Blood Cells and the Neutrophils, tell us if he is Neutropenic, meaning his immune system is low and that he may become very sick and get a high temperature. The white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow but are suppressed by the chemicals during chemotherapy. White blood cells fight infection and bacteria in the body, and when it’s low a person is susceptible to infections. There are no pills or food that will increase white cells, so injections of GCSF is given to stimulate bone marrow and produce white blood cells.

This needle may have to be taken for several days to show any signs of an improvement. If the Platelets fall less than 20, he needs a platelet transfusion, he has had 5 of these. A platelet transfusion only takes about 30 mins. Platelets are needed for the blood to clot incase the shin becomes cut or bruised.

Then after that phase, comes 2 Consolidation Phases and 4 Maintenance which completes the chemotherapy.

With all these poisons entering his body, destroying good cells as well as the cancer cells, damage can be done to any one of the main organs. His magnesium and potassium levels have been low, and if not treated it could lead to arrhythmia problems in the heart. On weekends he takes another drug that helps prevent pneumonia.

Once a phase is complete and levels are in the normal range Austin might get to go home for a few days. Austin has ended back in the hospital for treatments of a bacteria infection along with terrible mouth sores. This can happen anywhere from 10-14 days after the first day of chemo was given. That is why his Neutrophils have to be watched carefully and visitors limited, or venturing out in the public stopped. Once recovered from that outbreak he goes home and prepares his body, mind and soul for the next round of chemotherapy.

We have been told that Austin is in remission, meaning that the formula of medicines that they are using are giving him relief, but cancer cells are very aggressive and will come back double time until completely destroyed.

Austin will not be returning to school or hockey this year. The school is trying to get Internet Broadcasting to assist Austin, so that he can take his four core subjects from home and be ready for the following year. The report from the Paleontologist confirmed that Austin’s molars had been affected by the Lymphoma.

On another note, we have had a little fun, while on morphine Austin told the nurses to “shut the damn bird up, he had enough of its beepin(Talking to his IV Pole) He also got very mad at the nurses, they had told him to go to bed because the day had been very long, but every hour they came in to do their check, he finally yelled at the 2 am nurse “how the hell do you expect me to sleep if you keep waking me up”

Next we learned that the morgue is on the fifth floor by the stairwell, I found this out when I met the gurney on the way down for my morning tea. When I mentioned my encounter to the nurses telling them that morgues are to be in the basement, they responded with I watch too much TV, and that with it being on the fifth floor the souls were closer to heaven. I had one nurse tell me that now I had a reason to use the elevator and not the stairs.

The elevators are another story. We even experienced a Contamination Spill, at 11:30pm one of the chemo bags popped a plug and sent liquid everywhere. I was evacuated right away, and once Austin’s IV Pole was cleaned, so was he. The nurses were very worried because no one knows the effects that chemo would have on a non-cancer person, not only with the liquid but the vapors. Housekeeping came right away wearing their required outfits looking like moon walkers, and started cleaning the spill. We were not allowed to return to our room until 2:30pm the next day until they made sure that proper protocol had been followed.

We are at home in Lampman for awhile, some of the chemicals have effected his nerve endings and caused Austin’s fingertips to darken and his palms of his hands and feet to blister. The doctor is worried if we continue with the fourth treatment that the hands could become seriously infected when the Immune System becomes very low, we will try once they have healed. My husband, Jason and I, find that being a parent and watching your child go through a life threatening sickness is one of the hardest things in life. The fear continuously shows on your face, through your voice, and in your eyes. Many of us have experienced hardship in our lives, and worry about traveling the path alone.

We have been very blessed that this is not the situation with us. It is very overwhelming the families, friends, patrons and so many communities that are helping us down this terrifying path. One cannot imagine the support a small community brings until they themselves have felt the impact. Once this is all over and Austin reports a clean bill of health, we will have learned the importance of family, friends, and communities, also the strengths of prayer, friendship and believing.

As of, March 17, Austin went into his fifth treatment, which is a maintenance phase, then there are three phases left. At this time, he is still in reemission, meaning the procedure the doctor is using is helping. We will not know the final results until all phases are completed, which will take until June, and then another bone marrow aspiration will be done. He keeps on smiling and waiting for the day for this to be over. He has enjoyed meeting many different kids and sharing their stories.

Austin’s last treatment went very well. The hospital let him out the night of March 22 so that he would be home for Easter. This most recent treatment was the first time it went so well for Austin. To keep updated with Austin’s journey, read the Kennedy News in the Citizen. If there is anyone who would like to help out the family, the Kennedy Credit Union is accepting donations on the family’s behalf. Receipts will be issued.