Tuesday, April 29, 2008

it's the DEX


Isaiah just finished this month's 5 day course of Dexamethasone, a steroid he calls "Mr. Hungry." In addition to wanting to eat continually, he usually struggles with intense itching during these sessions. We usually see a increase in emotional intensity as well. This week pushed that delightful side-effect to whole new levels. For whatever reason, he was just intensely edgy and very emotional this time. It's hard to see him feeling so out of control.


Playing catch with Mom at McKinley Park

9 comments:

mollyllilja said...

We are praying for all of you.
Love,
The Liljas

Michelle Coder said...

Know we are praying for you every day Isaiah. I'll pray your itching will stop. Love and Light!

Michelle

Taria M. said...

Hi Sweet Isaiah,

I just want you to know that I'm thinking about you, and I'm praying for you. You are so strong! I'm sending you lots of loves!

Taria

Jennifer said...

We live pretty close to McKinley Park; if you ever need some company or someone to drop by a picnic lunch, we are here!
916 442-3161
Love,
The Ferrara Family

Anonymous said...

Oh so sad to hear about the valleys....but know we are praying for you and hoping each day is brighter. Isaiah you are my FAVORITE baseball player and I am loving the posts that show you playing ball. I hope there are LOTS of homeruns in your future. We continue to keep you in our hearts. XXX Anne Dease

Emily said...

Hi guys. I'm Grant's mom here in North Carolina. We have a really rough time with the Dex too! I hate the Dex!

Anyway, we have had some success using pre-medications during the 5 day cycle. Grant takes a Tylenol with Codine and a .5 mg Ativan about an hour before he gets the Dex, and then about every 6 to 8 hours as needed during the whole week, even a couple of days after he actually stops the Dex because it stays in his system. We were about ready to change his steroid because his side effects were so severe, but this has seemed to help. Some cycles have been better than others, but always better than without any ativan...

Ask your oncologist about this. Grant's primary is Dr. Julie Blatt at UNC Children's Hospital, which is a COG hospital, so our guys may be on similar protocols. I'm sure that she would be happy to communicate with Isaiah's docs about this.

Hope this helps! We will continue to pray for you all!

Emily said...

Hi guys. I'm Grant's mom here in North Carolina. We have a really rough time with the Dex too! I hate the Dex!

Anyway, we have had some success using pre-medications during the 5 day cycle. Grant takes a Tylenol with Codine and a .5 mg Ativan about an hour before he gets the Dex, and then about every 6 to 8 hours as needed during the whole week, even a couple of days after he actually stops the Dex because it stays in his system. We were about ready to change his steroid because his side effects were so severe, but this has seemed to help. Some cycles have been better than others, but always better than without any ativan...

Ask your oncologist about this. Grant's primary is Dr. Julie Blatt at UNC Children's hospital, which is a COG hospital, so our guys may be on similar protocols. I'm sure that she would be happy to communicate with Isaiah's docs about this.

Hope this helps! We will continue to pray for you all!

Auntie Angie said...

Hey Isaiah bear, I am up pretty late and I was thinking of you. I love your latest pictures, I hope to see a baseball game soon. We took ethan to the zoo for the first time today, and he wore the orange and yellow hat you gave him. It looked great! I am praying for you, stay strong...you are amazing. Give sissy a kiss for me. Love you.

Anonymous said...

We love you Isaiah!
Don & La Dona