Saturday, September 26, 2009

Odds & Ends

Received an email from our doctor; they are a little concerned with his latest CT scan in that his right hip is showing necrosis (blood supply is cut off due to chemo treatments and bone has some deterioration). We will be meeting with Dr. Randall on Monday - he is Huntsman's & Primary Children's renowned orthopedic surgeon. We have met Dr. Randall before; he heads up the annual Team Sarcoma Walk so we've seen him in shorts & sandals, not in scrubs and a stethoscope. Nick says, "So I'm having more chemo and radiation - what happens now?" Guess we'll find out Monday.

He had his first radiation treatment on Thursday. He asked Dr. Hitchcock if she needed to watch out for his hip (relatively close to his abdomen) and she said, no - we're concerned with your bone marrow. Hmm. Hadn't heard about that one either. We'll worry about that on Monday, too. Otherwise, Nick hasn't had any side effects from the radiation yet. Next week will be a different story; he has to go in for 2 different chemos Monday through Friday. We have to show up at 8:00 a.m. and the infusions will last about 5 hours each day. Don't forget the daily radiation, intermittent lab draws, and Dr. Randall just for fun. It's going to be a rough week. When Dr. Gouw confirmed Nick's treatment protocol with Dr. Grier in Boston, he told him, "We've got the big guns out for Nick." Dr. Grier replied, "No, we want to give him the GIANT guns." Fine.

Nick wasn't able to go to Southern Utah this weekend; apparently the elk are done bugling for the season. But I think he'll make the Utah football game this afternoon - always something fun. He went and had his friend give him a Mohawk (Cory, I'm telling your mom...). I asked Nick, "Don't you treasure every strand of hair on your head?" His hair will be falling out any day now (by chemo, not by me pulling it out). We are also enjoying the grandparents visit - always lots of good food.I've mentioned our friend, Lisa from Alaska, that we met a couple of weeks ago. She had 
major surgery on Tuesday and could probably use a prayer or two. Her website is: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ihavewhat.

We also found another young man with rhabdo - Brian Orgill - he is 18 and a local here in Utah. His website is: https://www.carepages.com/carepages/faithineveryfootstep. He has just recently started up battle #2 and his family could use the additional support, too.
Thank you, Nick's Warriors, for including Lisa and Brian in your thoughts and prayers. I think we can wait a few days for Nick - they need your prayers today.

With love and faith,
Lori

1 comment:

Chris Ulvin said...

Hi Lori - Welcome Lisa and Brian -Godspeed Nick. We serve an awesome God! To all who visit Nick's site - please pray everyday for everyone God places in your heart. Dr. Grier asked for the GIANT Guns - so lets call daily on Him who created us and loves us.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Dear Lord, I ask for healing grace on Nick, Lisa and Brian - your children whose paths have crossed in Salt Lake City, Utah. May you give them patience in their unique afflictions, joy in the friends and activities you place in their lives, and faith that their prayers are being heard and answered. Amen.

Love, aunt Chris