OUR LITTLE TROOPER

Brendan started his chemo on Friday, 11th of January. After 6 days of intense chemo he was finally detached from the pump that was administering his drugs. He ran around his room in delight as he was free from continuous high levels of fluids and free from being continually pumped full of chemo drugs. He will continue chemo for another 6 days and then he will receive supportive treatment while his marrow recuperates. Brendan is holding up remarkably well. He has been home on several day visits and is still his happy self most of the time. He continues to receive red blood cells and platelets as he needs them.

He still surprises and amazes us with his easygoing nature and only making a fuss when he is really distressed. He hates having 4 hourly eye drops and having his chest dressing changed. Having surgical dressing ripped from his skin is what he really hates the most.

He had all the nurses laughing while he was under sedation for a lumber puncture - he decided to be the 'smooching kisser' and wanted to hug and kiss everyone.

Brendan is at the point in his treatment when all the nasty side-effects start to emerge. It is difficult to get him to eat as he has stomach pains. For now we can bring him home daily for a visit until he is no longer well enough to leave the hospital.

His oncologist is telling us that he is planning for Brendan to only have one round of chemo and then to go to Sydney for his transplant. Sydney is holding a bed in the transplant unit for him.

Brendan will have another bone marrow biopsy after his 20 days of recuperation and then the decision to do another round of chemo or go to Sydney will be made. Until then, we have decided it is too hard to try and make any plans so we will just let things happen and deal with them as they occur. Cancer has this amazing ability to change its course whenever it chooses.

Love to everyone

Cheers from Anna.

Our contact details and postal address at the hospital are:
Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital
Brookman Ward (Room 7)
72 King William Rd
North Adelaide 5006
Ph:08 81617000