Day 15

On Thursday 11/13/2008 was a stressful day. Jake went to the cancer clinic. He had four procedures conducted: 1) Vinchristine (chemo) through his IV; 2) blood draw; 3) bone marrow aspirate and 4) spinal tap with chemo. They gave him pain medicine as well as some drug that is supposed to make him not remember what happened. Mark and I could have actually used the drug that made us forget. It was very hard to see them take what seemed like gallons of bone marrow. They stuck a needle the size of Texas in his butt. They also stuck another big needle into his spine to get spinal fluid. Mark asked the doctor how long will it take to get all that bone marrow back and the doc said "a couple of days."

The doctor dripped spinal fluid all over the table while grabbling for 1 of 3 vials that collected the fluid. They have to put back equal amount of chemo drugs into his spine what they take out in fluid in order to prevent Jake getting a massive headache. So the dripping of spinal fluid onto the table bothered us since that does not get measured.

Jake was lethargic and tired all day. We wish like anything that we can take the meds and get the procedures done to us rather than Jake. We will find out on Monday whether he is in remission.

Jake is so strong. I've heard many parents say that their child with cancer is their hero and I now understand.