Diagnosis: Leukemia; February 25, 1988

I woke up at eight o’clock. I got Alex dressed and gave him his breakfast.

We left for the hospital at ten o’clock. Alex had his blood test done at eleven o’clock. Dr. S said Alex’s blood count was down and she couldn’t figure what had happened. She said I guess I’ll have to take Alex off his medicine. Then she said that maybe the Septra was interfering with the blood count, she said that it often happens. She said she wanted to change the Septra dose from seven days a week to three days a week.

Dr. S then asked when Alex had Methotrexiate last. I told her he has it on Mondays. She said how come you didn’t change the day. I said you told me to change it back to Mondays. Dr. S then said well Alex will have to come back on Monday and don’t give him his Methotrexiate until later.

Dr. S really makes me wonder, it was obvious that she was trying to blame me. As far as I’m concerned things were really messed up. I feel if I hadn’t given Alex his Methotrexiate on Monday, before his first appointment (February 10) his blood count would be different. Heather said it wouldn’t affect the blood count and to go ahead and give it to Alex. Everything probably would have worked out like they do normally. Alex’s blood count might have been a little lower than normal since he had a cold.

We left the clinic at 11:30, Alex wanted to have some Jell-O before we went home.

We went to PoCo Rec Centre after the hospital. Alex fell asleep on the way.

I read in the car while Alex was in Mini Sport. Cindy (the teacher) asked if Alex was sick since he hadn’t been to class for the past two weeks. Then she commented on the band aids and bruises on Alex. I felt I had to say something. I said that Alex has been quite ill and that he had been for a blood test. Cindy said do they know what the problem is? I told her Alex has Leukemia.

It seems like every time I say Leukemia especially someone I don’t know very well I get emotional. She seemed to feel badly that she had asked. I told her Alex’s hair was grown in quite a bit and said that Alex was doing pretty well. She said she thought Alex just had baby fine hair.

We came home and played some games.

We had dinner after five o’clock. After dinner we went downstairs and exercised.

Alex went to bed at eight o’clock. I watched TV and went to bed at eleven o’clock.

Tests

WBC 2.3
HGB 14.3
Platelets 285
ANC 759

Medicine

Bactrim 8:30 a.m. ------ ------
Mercaptopurine ------ ------ 7:55 p.m.

Temperature 35.78C