Diagnosis: Leukemia; October 4, 1988

I woke up at nine o’clock. Alex had gotten up earlier and Charlie had gotten him changed, given him a shower and gotten him dressed. By the time I went to make my breakfast, Charlie had started to make Alex’s breakfast. After breakfast I had a shower and got dressed. While I was in the shower the hospital phoned and asked us to come at one o’clock, half an hour earlier. Charlie thought they were going to cancel the appointment again!

We left for the hospital after twelve o’clock, Alex had lunch before we left but I didn’t. Once we got to the hospital we didn’t have to wait long before Alex had his blood test. We waited a long time before any one came to tell us anything. At two o’clock I asked the doctor if we could go down to the cafeteria as Alex wanted to get something to eat. Dr. S said that they were just about to do Alex’s LP. Heather said that she was all by herself. Dr. S said when will the other nurse be back. Heather said in about fifteen or twenty minutes. So we went down to the cafeteria and had something to eat then we went to the gift shop and back to the clinic. We waited until three o’clock then I said to Joan that nothing had been done except Alex’s blood test and when did the Pharmacy close. She said that it closed at four thirty, then she said she would ask the nurse what was happening. She said when she came back that Martina was checking into it. I then went and asked Heather for Alex’s prescription., I told her that I wanted to get it now before they closed.

Alex and I went to the pharmacy and they said it would be an hour before it would be ready. Then we went back to the clinic and then they were ready for us. Dr. S said they shouldn’t have sent you to have Alex’s prescription done, I have been waiting in my office for them to tell me when the other nurse had come back. I told her that they said it was okay for me to go to the pharmacy. She said I know and then we had to wait again, I’m not too happy about that. She was actually nice about it which surprised me.

They had a bit of trouble to get Alex into the right position for his LP. Alex cried through out but he was very good, he didn’t complain or move around which helps the doctor out a lot.

Then we went and I put Alex on a bed which hadn’t been changed and had hair all over it. So I had to change the sheet. I told Alex that I had to go to the pharmacy but I would be right back and would he be okay. Alex said he would be okay. When I came back they were getting Alex’s Vincristine. Alex was very good for that, he didn’t cry at all. We waited about fifteen minutes then we left.

We went to McDonald’s for dinner, the traffic sure was terrible. After McDonalds we came home, there was a message on the machine from Dad. He thought that I had phoned in the afternoon. I phoned him back and he asked how it went today and I told him how we had to wait so long. Dad said he was coming home on Thursday. I said I bet you’re glad about that!

Then I phoned Mom, she said she had just gotten home and if we weren’t doing anything to come down. Alex and I were pretty tired but I figured Mom needed some company, the last few weeks have been pretty hard on her. We stayed until nine thirty and came home. I got Alex ready for bed when we got home then I watched TV and went to bed.

Tests

WBC 2.6
HGB 13.0
Platelet 433
ANC 1690

Medication

Mercaptopurine ------ ----- 7:00 p.m.
Prednisone ------ ----- 7:00 p.m.