A Little Scare

We are planning to leave for a short trip to Winter Park, CO this week. So, this morning when Joshua woke up complaining of a sore throat and feeling a little warm, we got a little nervous that our plans were about to change. I took his temperature and it was at 100.1. Yikes! If you don't remember, 100.5 means an automatic hospital stay.I immediately called the clinic and asked we could come in to have Joshua's counts checked. When we arrived, his temperature had dropped back into the 99's so we were in the clear for fever. Unfortunately, his counts did not come back clear. Joshua's ANC was 500 (below 500 means Neutropenic and also the reason we usually have to stay overnight) Thankfully, because the fever never showed up, Joshua was told to go home and to stop taking chemo for a few days.

I was afraid they would say that we shouldn't go on our trip, but they said quite the opposite. They told us there is a new children's hospital in Denver (actually that is where Dr. Zieber moved).  That didn't make me feel completely better, 

but they also told us his blood counts will immediately improve while he is off chemo for a few days and that there shouldn't be a problem. I guess better safe than sorry. Please pray that we will have no more signs of fever.

On another note, our faithful friend and Child Life volunteer Justin, sent Joshua home with a gift for him and Andi. They were two simple plastic tubes in pink and blue. No specific job. No specific game to be played. Since we left the clinic, they have now played for 2 straight hours and don't seem to be fading. Hooray for ambiguous toys!

Thank you Justin for all you have done for our family and good luck in Boston. The world of global medicine will be better with you in it. Congratulations!