Diagnosis: Leukemia; December 12, 1988

I woke up at nine o’clock. Alex and I had breakfast then I had a shower and got dressed. I tided up the house and did the laundry.

We had an early lunch and got ready to go to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at two o’clock. After we had been there for about fifteen minutes Laurel said did they tell you at the reception that you had to go upstairs for Alex’s blood test. I said no that there hadn’t been anyone there. Laurel went to the receptionist and gave me the form to give them. She said to go to the second floor turn left and go to the Outpatients blood clinic.

When we went upstairs Alex had his picture taken with one of the technicians for their Christmas album. Alex got a small trumpet as a prize. They said we could go back to the clinic that they would send the information down to the clinic.

I thought we would be able to leave by two thirty or three o’clock. Unfortunately it took quite a bit longer. I didn’t find out until three thirty that it takes a long time approximately two hours. The clinic upstairs has to go through the whole hospital before the clinic gets it.

At three thirty a camera crew came in to do some filming for Children’s’ Hospitals Telethon. A woman asked Krisann if there would be anymore children coming into the clinic. Krisann said no that’s it for today. This woman asked me if Alex would be in the film. I said as long as Alex wanted to that was fine with me. Alex said he wanted so I filled out the form.

They had one of the children who has been going to the clinic to introduce himself and say thank you for supporting Children’s’ Hospital. Alex and another child were in the background sitting at the table coloring.

While they were doing that Dr. S talked to me about Alex’s blood test. She said it was okay but she felt it would be better if Alex’s pills were just left at the dosage he’s on. Dr. S gave me Alex’s next appointment she decided Alex didn’t have to come in until the new year. I sure was happy about that, I was afraid Alex might have to come in before Christmas.

We left after four o’clock, it took up to fifteen minutes to get out of the parking lot. Then it took us an hour and a half to get home. Charlie was cooking dinner when we got home. The first thing I did was to get a hot water bottle for my leg. My leg had been aching all day and was getting worst.

We ate dinner at seven o’clock. Afterwards we watched TV, I kept applying the hot water bottle to my leg which seemed to help.

Alex got ready for bed at nine o’clock. He had fallen asleep on the way home. I went to bed at nine thirty.

Tests

WBC 2.3
HGB 13.0
Platelets 309
ANC 1242

Medication

Bactrim 10:00 a.m. ------ 7:00 p.m.
Mercaptopurine ------ ------ 7:00 p.m.
Methotrexiate ------ ------- 7:00 p.m.

Temperature 36.16C 6:00 p.m. 35.05C 7:00 p.m.