23rd Dec 2008 Tuesday
We went to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) because Jake was really pale and had been sick for a few weeks, developing a nasty cough. The doctors in Emergency said that we should be worried. They ordered a lumbar puncture (LP) and bone biopsy (BA) for the next day to confirm suspicion of leukemia.
We were admitted to hospital later that day and taken to ward 6 (Oncology). They fitted him with a drip in the back of his hand and splinted his left arm so the elbow doesn't bend.
24th Dec 2008 Wednesday
The surgery goes according to plan. He gets his first dose of chemo through the lumbar puncture. The surgeon confirms that it is leukemia, though he is placed in a low risk group as it is very common. We are now looking at three years of treatment. We start phase one. Induction Day 0.
25th Dec 2008 Thursday
Christmas day at the RCH was amazing. Santa arrived with 8 fire engines of various ages, with lights and sirens, and a double bus full of clowns. He came and visited each child in ward 6, and we seemed to keep getting presents from various people all day. The room is full of toys - luckily they have bench seats with storage underneath.
Jake was allowed to be disconnected for a couple of hours so that we could go and have Christmas lunch (buffet provided by the hospital).
Jake quote: "its a great day to be awake!".
29th Dec 2008 Monday
Jake is responding well to treatment so we were able to take him home for the night.
30th Dec 2008 Tuesday
Back again nice and early for a LP and BA. We also met Jake's specialist. Also means the first of the injections, most of which can be pushed through the IV in the back of his hand. While we are with the doctor she gets a phone call with the results of the first BA. There is a complication as his leukemia has an abnormality called the "Philadelphia chromosome". This now raises Jake to a high risk group meaning bone marrow transplant is no longer a last minute resort but will now be part of his treatment. The transplant will also mark the end of his treatment.
What we know of the future:
Phase one: induction
29 days of intensive chemo. We will be going in every two days. They will also be doing a LP and BA once a week to track progress. This phase will end on the 20th of Jan at which point we will get the road map for the next phase.
Soon after end of phase
Jake will undergo surgery to install a port in his chest (so we don't have to jab his arms any more). Doug, Kai and myself will get tissue typed to see if we are compatible enough to be possible bone marrow transplant donors.