Week two

Cameron sailed through his treatment last week.  He was running around the hospital, making friends with the other kids and generally having a great time.  Sometimes, I think that Cameron thinks the hospital is his own personal Disney Land.  He really enjoys being here, for the most part.

He was discharged late on Saturday afternoon and was able to spend Sunday at home with us.  We returned early on Monday morning to recheck his liver enzymes (which are down to an impressive 127!), and to be admitted for the second week of this antibody cycle.  This week, he will be given two types of medicine, IL2 and ch14.18.  Given separately, these medicines have less side effects - but combined, they can be nasty (to read more about antibody, you can click HERE).

There are 3 main side effects that we can expect: 

1)  Pain - Cameron was started on a continuous drip of morphine this morning, prior to the antibody treatment being started.  The morphine will be the minimum that he will get, if his pain intensifies he can get several alternatives including Fetanyl, which is 100 times stronger than morphine.

2)  Allergic Reaction - In the first round of antibody, Cameron developed a nasty rash as a reaction to the ch14.18 drug.  We expect him to have the same reaction this time and so he is on Benadryl (an anti-histamine) every 4 to 6 hours. 

3)  Respiratory Issues - The combination of the IL2 and CH14.18 can cause severe fluid retention and what the doctors refer to as "leaky vessels", the vessels can leak fluid into the lungs, causing respiratory distress.  This is our biggest concern and one of the top reasons that so many of the children receiving antibody therapy end up in the ICU.  I have been told that it is entirely possible that Cameron will end up in the ICU and that it is also possible that at some point they may have to stop this round therapy if he gets too sick to handle it.  It is very common for children to have to stop therapy halfway through a cycle as their bodies just can't cope with the medication.  We want Cameron to get as much of the antibodies as he can, so I am praying that he continues to cope well and doesn't have ANY issues this round.

Please keep Cameron in your thoughts this week!  If you are someone who prays, please say a special prayer for my little man, if you are not religious, then please send him extra positive vibes this week - I have a feeling we are going to need it!