We saw a drastic weakening in appetite last Sunday and it has been going on all week. Lucas is usually polite and wouldn't refuse food outright. But he doesn't have much of anything that he is willing to try. He is better now than when he was in the beginning of induction. I don't think he feels nauseated or heartburn so we didn't try to give him Zofran or Zantac. I've been reading a lot of posts on ALL list talking about how some kids' liver are so stressed towards the end of maintenance that they have no appetite and feel tired all the time. And it takes years for the liver to recover to somewhat normal after they are off treatment. I always thought the first half year is hardest since the chemo is more intense, but it seems for some everything goes well until the last year -- when the body just has had enough of drugs.
Since Lucas's ANC was 88 last Monday and he hasn't been eating very well, we are prepared to not meet ANC > 750 this coming Monday and have a week of rest. But the week before he was eating well and looked much less pale and his ANC was 88 -- so I guess my perception has nothing to do with the actual ANC number. Next week of chemo involves CPM on Monday, ARAC Monday-Thursday, and 6MP every day. If we can't get a home care health nurse, we plan to go to clinic every day Monday-Thursday lunch time. Lucas actually likes the hospital cafeteria food and maybe he would eat more there.
Life is much easier after Alex gets to go to babysitter every weekday now. MWF he comes home between 1 and 2 to take a nap. TR he is up playing all day. I can't tell you how relieved we found this babysitting arrangement. The babysitter even drives him back everyday and teaches Alex good manners. Lucas enjoys the craft Alex brings home for him as well (though I was very surprised to find glitter in my bed and found the craft was under Lucas's pillow!)
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