I know I haven't written in a long time, but I do have a bunch of half written posts that I will probably still publish sometime in the next few days because I want them all to be a part of our blog and family record.
It is late and so this is just a QUICK update.
Ryan and the girls are doing great. Ryan had his monthly follow up at COH yesterday and Dr. Pawlowska said that everything is looking good as his 1 year post-transplant anniversary approaches.!! His labs were all stable & he will be completely weaned off his anti-rejection medication at his next visit. He will also have his big 1 year anniversary exams which include an echocardiogram/EKG (heart funtions), neuropsych evaluation (for cognitive function), endocrine & pituitary tests (to check his growth), pulmonary (lungs), and vision screening (to make sure he doesn't have cataracts; a common side effect from radiation therapy) and possibly other exams as well. These tests are all significant because they will be checking the results against all the tests he had prior to transplant to see if there are any obvious side effects from all his treatments.
He will also start having all his immunizations again. From scratch. Like a newborn. He hasn't had any immunizations since he was one year old because once a child is diagnosed with cancer, all immunizations are halted. The bigs also have to catch up on immunizations because they were not allowed to have live virus chicken pox vaccinations while Ryan was on treatment/immune compromised. Since Ryan had a transplant, his immune system is completely new, so it's as if he's never had any vaccinations. He will literally start the series again like a newborn. This is a huge milestone because it signifies that his immune system is strong enough to handle the immunizations.
This next appointment won't happen for another SIX WEEKS!!! That is the longest that we have gone without a doctor's appointment in over 4.5 years!!!!!!!!!!
So many milestones this year for our family!!!! His transplant was TRULY a second chance at life for him & our family. ♥
Ryan has been enjoying kindergarten and today he got to bring home "Buttons, the Butterscotch Bunny"-- his class mascot. Each of the kids get a chance to take Buttons home for a week during the school year. We have to keep a daily journal of his activities with Buttons and also include pictures. He is really excited to have Buttons visiting us at home.
[Ryan kicking back at home in the family room with Buttons and a GOB of sunblock on his face. These two little dudes were watching tv together afterschool. We apply sunblock on Ryan at least 2x/day because he's super sensitive to the sun now, following the transplant process.]
[Buttons looks happy to be hanging out with Ryan!]
[Finally it's bedtime! Ry is getting ready to go to sleep with Bruce, Buttons and his Kitty Kat. Ryan & Buttons need to rest up for Ryan's big soccer game tomorrow!]
Well, that's it for now. I need to get to bed because Ry has a soccer game in the morning. I'm excited because it will be his second soccer game, ever, and the first time that Daddy gets to see him play in a game because he's been working weekends. I'm relieved and happy that he has a Saturday off to enjoy watching Ryan running around on the field in a soccer uniform with a bunch of other kids. It's a priceless experience. This kid has come such a long way in just a year. I am so ridiculously proud of him & deeply grateful for his health.
Thanks for stopping by...
