Six Down...Four To Go

Round #6 is complete!  Grant's blood counts looked good today, so he was a 'go' for the dosage of Vincristine today.  I had expected a short appointment today because Grant was only being administered one drug, but somehow that never seems to come to fruition.  The new computerized check-in system at clinic didn't flag that we were there, so we waited over an hour in the waiting room to be taken back for vitals.  By the time we went through all of the normal appointment procedures - vitals, blood draw, visit and examination by the Oncologist, broviac dressing change and review of blood counts - Grant was one worn-out little boy!  I set him in his carseat while we waited for the chemo med, and he did not move a muscle before, during nor after the chemo.  The nurse said he was her easiest patient ever!

He mustered up some energy for the car ride home (his exposure to the outside world), but he has been pretty zonked out the rest of the day.  I didn't want to wake him for pictures, so the photos I took with my Blackberry at clinic will have to suffice for today.  I'm hoping his deep slumber will last through the night; but I have a feeling he'll be ready to go at 1am (lucky me!).

Waiting for the nurse to administer the chemo med today;
he looks like he's sleeping in a La-Z-Boy.

Post-Vincristine.  I don't think he moved a muscle.

Visual Workouts

Grant had a great today...he was going non-stop for long bursts of time, examining everything within his reach.  Alexa gave him a plastic cup tonight (pink, of course), and it was like Disneyland for the little guy.  He must have played with that cup for at least 15 minutes straight.  Santa may have to hit Party City and get him an economy pack of Solo cups for Christmas - haha.  It's nice to see him developing his hand-eye coordination, and the nystagmus seemed to subside today, probably because he wasn't too tired.  His eyes also got a workout watching Alexa bounce on the trampoline tonight; his eyes were going up and down with every bounce she took.  You can see from the photo below that he was ready for a nap after Alexa's pre-dinner jump session. 

We're gearing up for Round #6 tomorrow - - it should be easier than normal since it's only a one-drug cocktail [easy for me to say since I'm not receiving it :)].  Keep Grant in your thoughts and prayers and hope he continues to tolerate these chemo sessions like a champ!

Grant posing as a news anchor.

Some one's ready for his evening nap - ready to pass out in the seat!

Mr. Alexa Hovannisian?

Since Damon had taken Wednesday and Thursday off while I was in LA, he unfortunately had to work today, so I had the opportunity to spend more quality time with the two kiddos.  After lunch, Alexa was asking me about some of my wedding photos, and I even pulled my boxed dress out of storage so that she could see it in its preserved state.  She loved the sparkles on the bodice of the dress (my favorite part too) and asked if she could wear the dress someday when she gets married.  I asked her if she had anyone in mind, and after I shot down her initial choice of Gabriella, she decided that she wanted to marry Grant.  She said (and I quote), "He's so handsome and cute and I already love him so much." 

Obviously I don't want her to marry her brother (lol), but it makes me so happy that she sees absolutely nothing wrong with her beloved baby brother.  Alexa mimics me talking to him (hence the 'Handsome' comment) and loves to play with him when he's on the floor.  She is really unfazed by the NG tube, the masks we wear when we're sick and the frequency of his doctors' appointments.  I hope we can keep it like this for a long time to come, as Alexa's been the one to provide the basis for our sense of normalcy (not to mention sanity) despite the circumstances.  :)

G's not too happy to be posing for pictures tonight - -
Alexa is another story, mugging for the camera.
(She is definitely Damon's daughter!)

Scoping out the monkey....and beating him in a stare-off.

Showing off his "guns."

A Night at the 'Bowling Alley'

 I absolutely love the weekends - - it's the time when Grant isn't at all lethargic from the chemo and is just a normal five-month-old baby.  Grant is really developing a great disposition and is a very easy baby.  Tonight he had a blast sitting in his bouncy seat next to the mock bowling alley I set up for Alexa and myself.  I'm not sure if he was laughing at my inability to knock down the plastic pins, but he was smiling and hollering the entire time.  Alexa could not stop giggling at some of the noises he was making and the pitch he was able to achieve.  I don't know if Alexa and I had a better time bowling or listening to 'Granty' talking up a storm. 

Regardless, I think had better start practicing my bowling; I want to make sure I'm not being heckled by my little guy :)

Having a blast today in the Bumbo seat.

 It looks like he's Armenian dancing;
Grant's ready for a party!

Gazing into his giraffe's eyes - I think it's love.

Bouncing to Rolling

It was nice to be back into the normal Friday routine - I went into the office for the morning and worked remotely in the afternoon while hanging out with Grant.  It's so fun to listen to him babble and see the things that solicit the most response from him....as soon as I say "Ahhhh", he opens his mouth for a kiss (I can even be across the room).  He's obviously too young to notice that I had been gone for two days, but Alexa was extremely happy to see me and didn't even complain that I picked her up from aftercare while the 'Friday movie' was playing.  My stock's rising! :)

Grant's nystagmus has changed into a different type - it's more of a rolling motion than the previous bouncing we saw.  The Oncologist has assured us it is simply a different form of nystagmus, not better nor worse, but it's definitely a much more obvious movement.  It's still too early to assess whether this will be lasting and how (if at all) it affects Grant's vision.  At moments, especially as the rolling becomes more marked when he's tired, it is a very blatant and unwelcome reminder of this disease.  We've been spoiled by how well Grant's responding to the treatment and can sometimes block the tumor out of our minds without any visible side effects.  Nevertheless, we just have to keep pushing forward and reminding ourselves that this tumor could be much worse than it is.  If nystagmus is the worst side effect, we're pretty dang lucky. 

Nystagmus can't detract from his big blue eyes -
he defnitely has the 'Niehoff' eyes.

Happy to have Mom home.
(You can tell who writes the blog and captions - lol)

Future veterinarian?  He's really studying the giraffe....

Home Again!

I came home from LA late tonight, and it's a nice feeling to be back home again.  I'm heading into the office pretty early tomorrow morning, but I hope I will get to see both kids awake...I missed the little munchkins.  The past two days were non-stop, so thankfully the time did fly by pretty quickly.  It sounds like I missed a pretty normal day; Damon reported Grant was very vocal today (cooing, giggling and squawking) and in a great mood.  I think even more exciting for both of us was that Grant's broviac dressing survived an entire day and did not need a change!  Phoenix Children's provides us with wonderful resources, so Damon spoke to a blood disorder nurse (she deals with a lot of broviac ports) who ordered us some dressing supplies that are more tailored for the broviac.  Let's hope these supplies help the dressings last longer than 24-hours!

I don't think Damon's cut out for a gig as a professional photographer, but I told him this photo will work for today's blog.  I have a feeling Grant wouldn't be too happy if I woke him at 11pm for a photo session :)


Filling out the monkey seat (& sporting an 80's collar).



A Night Away

Today is the first night I've spent away from Grant since the little guy's been born.  I flew to LA bright and early this morning for a jam-packed two days of finance conferences and meetings.  Thankfully I'm able to catch a late flight tomorrow night so that I don't have to be away from the kiddos (and Damon, of course ;) for too long.  I have to admit that I am looking forward to my first night of uninterrupted sleep in over five-months.

Daddy Damon did a great job of taking care of things at home today; he slides into the Mr. Mom role seamlessly.  Despite his fashionable mesh top, Grant's still having some issues with the dressing on his broviac.  Because changing it is a two-person job, Damon was able to solicit the assistance of the at-home nurses...whew!  We'll have to crank up the mL rate of his feedings to try to pack on the pounds so that he's a candidate for the internal, porta-cath soon.  These daily dressing changes are tough!

I'm already looking forward to coming home tomorrow.  The sleep will be nice, but I will trade it for spending time with the family any day :)


Grant's 'guilty' look - - those eyes are going to
make me cave every time he's in trouble!

A little bored without Mom around - - just kidding!
Probably tired from the wild house party with Dad tonight :)