Diagnosis: Leukemia; March 7, 1988

I woke up at nine o’clock, I had breakfast, had a shower and got dressed. Alex had gotten himself dressed, and Charlie had given him his breakfast.

We left after ten o’clock for the fit-time class. I sat in the car and read while Alex was in his class. I came down with another cold on Saturday, so I’m not feeling that great.

We came home and had lunch. Then we got ready to go to the hospital. Alex wanted to have Kurt over but we couldn’t. He was pretty mad about that.

We left for the hospital and got there after one o’clock. There were quite a few people there, but it wasn’t too busy.

Alex didn’t know he was having chemo, he though he was just going for a blood test. I told him, he would have to have chemo and explained what the nurse would do, that it was important he keep his arm really still and not move it. Alex said he couldn’t keep from moving his arm. I told him I had a special prize for him at home if he could be good and keep his arm still. Alex said he would try and do it. He was excited that he was getting a prize.

Dr. S asked us to come into the room. She said Alex’s blood count was up and that the 6MP (Mercaptopurine) would go back to the original dosage of 1 pill and ¾ pill alternating. She also said to increase Methotrexiate to four pills. Dr. S said Alex would be having chemo.

Alex and I went to the pharmacy then we came back to the clinic. On the way back we got some Jell-O.

Martina did the chemo, Heather helped to hold Alex’s arm. Martina said Alex has a fat vein but she was having trouble getting it. Alex cried a little bit but he didn’t move his arm. It was done very quickly and then we went home.

Alex fell asleep on the way home, but when I picked him up and put him on his bed he woke up.

I gave Alex his prize, a Lego set. We played with it most of the afternoon.

I started to cook dinner at four o’clock, we ate at five o’clock.

After dinner we went downstairs to exercise.

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

Tests N/A

Medicine

Bactrim ------ 12:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.
Mercaptopurine ------ ------ 5:15 p.m.
Methotrexiate ------ ------ 5:15 p.m.
Prednisone ------ ------- 5:15 p.m.

Temperature 35.05C 12:00 p.m. 35.84C 5:15 p.m.