Diagnosis: Leukemia; January 30, 1989

I woke up at ten o’clock. Alex and I had breakfast then I had a shower and got dressed. I did the laundry, changed the sheets and did the dishes.

We went to the hospital at twelve fifteen. It was so crowded at the clinic that we sat out in the hall for half an hour. Alex had his blood test after we had been there for forty five minutes. Krisann weighed and measured Alex, she said she would send his prescription for chemo right away.

We saw Dr. S half an hour later. I told her Alex had been sneezing and Alex said he had a cough as well. She checked Alex’s chest and back and said they were clear.

Just a little while later we went to the pharmacy. We stopped at the gift shop. Alex said he wanted something to eat but he decided on a prize instead. He wanted to get the Ghostbusters doodle art. Alex had already gotten something from the cafeteria earlier.

When we got back to the clinic we waited fifteen minutes until Alex had his chemo. Tina the head nurse gave Alex his I.V. push. She really helped Alex forget about the pain. She made the blood peek out and she would say get back in there blood. Alex said hey Mr. Blood and get back in there. Alex didn’t cry at all, it took his mind right off having his poke. I was really proud of him. I told him he was really good and he didn’t even cry. Alex said no I wasn‘t. He always denies that he was brave or good.

We picked up Alex’s prescription and went home. Alex fell asleep on the way home. When we got home Alex woke up right away. Alex colored while I cooked dinner. After dinner I colored with Alex, we colored until seven thirty. Then Alex got ready for bed.

I watched tv and went to bed at eleven o’clock.

Tests

WBC 5.4
HGB 13.6
Platelets 286
ANC 4212

Medication

Bactrim 10:30 a.m. ----- 5:00 p.m.
Mercaptopurine ----- ----- 5:00 p.m.
Methotrexiate ----- ----- 5:00 p.m.
Prednisone ----- 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.