A few updates

First of all, the port the surgeons spent 1.5 hours on yesterday in OR is not working.  They suspect a blood clot in the device and has put a dose of TPA(?) to loosen it.  It doesn't seem to work though.  They will try a second dose of TPA.  If that doesn't work, they will give him a chest X-ray. Sometimes the tube has a little kink inside and could only work if the arm is raised, for example.  Let's hope Lucas doesn't need another port surgery.

The attending doctor talked to us about the first month of intensive treatment, which is called induction chemo.  Treating childhood leukemia is very much standardized in US. Same treatment will be given no matter where you live.   We will follow pre-B ALL high risk protocol.  If the result after the first month of treatment is not optimal, one would need to follow Pre-B ALL very high risk protocol.  

Today is Day 1. The chemo will start as soon as the port starts to work.  The induction chemo including drugs that will make his hair fall off.  14 days on steroid.  

Day 8 we we'll get another spinal tab.  The initial result as how effective the drugs are to Lucas will be known.  We will leave the hospital when his WBC is at a safer range, which is expected to be around day 8.

Day 29 will be another big day for us.  Another bone marrow biopsy and spinal tab needs to be done. The result of that will decide whether is high risk or very high risk. That's the weekend of 1/12.

List of drugs for induction:

Cytarabine

Vincristine

Daunorubicin

Dexamethasone

Pegaspargase

Methotrexate

There are also a drug to protect stomach from side effects of Dexamethasone, and a drug to counter effect the constipation effect of Vincristine.  There also an anti-nausea drug for another side effect.

Isn't that ironic? For someone like me who believes in alternative medicine and a complete minimalist when it comes to medicine, I will need to put so much drugs into my little boy.  One drug, some other drugs to help, even some others for side effects.

Back to where we started, hope the port will work soon!