THE MOST AMAZING NEWS!!!

So I asked carters dr today if they think he will go into remission ater the 5th cycle... Her response was
HE ALREADY IS!!!
(the will still do the last two cycles just to make sure)
I cried for an hour of happiness!
I'm on cloud nine! He is such a strong boy!!

Small update :(

So, Carter was admitted as planned last night, to starte the 4th round today. Well, he went into sedation, my MIL left the room as usual-the rules. (I was at home). And an hour later (they do a tube change, echocardiograph, a bone Marrow biopsy and a lumbar puncture) he came out. Everything was good, until the dr came in just after I got here (noon)
They tried 3 different spots on his lower spine to get the LP, but they only got blood, not spinal fluid. They are saying he has a pocket of blood in his spine. They don't know why it is there, they sent us for an ultrasound. Please sent T&P's for nothing serious. Thank you 

Carter's at home pics

Slouching lol

Morning dances! Noah dances/dings his good morning song and Carter jumps around with excitement!

I love this face :)

And noahs new do that I did!

...and his cheeseball smile lol


These two boys make me so proud! They are my pride and joy! 

 

(posted to BBC on 10/25/2011)

Carter Update

Sorry for the delay! It's been a busy few days!

Carter is eating so much better! He is off the TPN, he still gets overnight feeds through the pump, but drinking more bottles. We have started him on finger foods as well, because he hates baby food!
He has another hickman infection, not as bad though. He was discharged on Friday and we go back tomorrow night to start his 4th round if chemo on Thursday.
He is doing great! He LOVES standing!
Noah LOVES having his brother home! They dance every morning it's adorable!
I will post pics later tonight
:) 

(posted to BBC on 10/25/2011)

Carter update!

It has been an eventful week and a half! Carter finished his 3rd round of chemo A week ago (only two more and hopefully remission!!)
Alot has happened so I will do short form! There's jay too much to type and I bye typing on my iPhone lol

- we found he is allergic to the antibiotics from the last infection( in the Hickman). He got a really bad rash all over his body. It's now gone
- Carter is eating between 2-4oz a day (1-3 oz at a time) so he is on TPN (nutrition through his IV tubes)
-for about a week now he has had diarrhea. They took stool samples and blood tests and found nothing (so ita most likely viral)
-he threw up his feeding tube (bottom Came out with vomit) on Wednesday an they wanted to give him
A break since he is on the TPN and he still has it out (which is nice to see him without a tube in his nose!!)
-we got to go on an LOA (day pass)
-we were supposed to go for another LOA torrow but sadly he has spiked a fever (101) and his heart rate is high.
-he has had 2 blood transfusions (due to low hemoglobin and plaitlets counts) in the last 48 hours, and is going to get another hemoglobin blood transfusion tonight
They have taken more blood tonight to find out the source of the fever (but they are thinking viral infection) and they are running him on "broad spectrum antibiotics" until they know what's wrong and which type of antibiotic is best to treat with.

So it's been an eventful week and a half but as always our little miracle marchie is a smiling trooper! Here are some recent pictures of Carter

Thank you everyone for your continuous and wonderful support! We love you all! (((hugs)))



 
(posted to BBC on 10/10/2011)

6 month photo proofs

Here are just a few of the edited pictures from today's session!!







"professor" is the nik name the nurses gave Carter :) 

(posted to BBC on 10/03/2011)

Photo bomb!

Here's some recent pics of Carter an Noah (3.5 years) feel free to share yours!



^ that's how he was sleeping!!! Lol


 
^ Noah and his cheesy fake smile for pictures lol 

(posted to BBC on 09/29/2011)

Carter update-a GREAT one!

We gone the results of the bone marrow biopsy done today and..... It's all good!!!! He doesn't have to go for a transplant!!!!! (he may eventually but not soon!!!!) we are so thrilled! So the chemo schedule is on track! He will start his 3rd round tomorrow!!! Your though/prayer/good vibes worked!!! Thank you everyone for your wonderful support!!!! 

(posted to BBC on 09/27/2011)

6 month stats and pics

I know it's a little late lol!
Weight 15.6 woohoo!!
Length 26.5
HC not sure

Pics are nothing special or fancy, we are going to get some done next time he is at home (prob not for another month or so depending on the blast results)
Carter and Noah playing

 
 (posted to BBC on 09/27/2011)

I LOVE BANANAS!

In my mesh feeder!!!!! Mommy hates cleaning it out, but I love it!!!!!
-Carter

 
 (posted to BBC on 09/27/2011)

Yay Carter!

For the last few days he has been feeding 4 oz every 2-3 hours, plus cereal 2x a day and purée 2x a day. He is back up to 15.6 lbs!!!!! ( he was 15.3 the night we were officially admitted, and lost weight, the lowest weight was 12lbs)
Just thought I'd share!!! 

(posted to BBC on 09/26/2011)

Vent/Carter update

I hate feeling so helpless it makes me angry (and heartbroken) I am his mommy! I'm supposed to kiss his booboos and make him better! But I can't and it's killing me!
Had to get that off my chest... It's been a rough day
Doctors found immature cells that may be more leukemia. Meaning chemo might not be working.

(posted to BBC on 09/23/2011)

Heartbreaking birthday...

So we left the hospital this morning and all was well. I drove ods to daycare, then hubby to work. I got home and carters temp was 38.5 (we have to check it every 4 hours) rushed back to the hospital....39.2...nurses and doctors rushing in and out like frantic crazy people....40.1 temp...blood pressure too high....heart rate WAY too high....doctors are worried he is going to have a seizure. He had to have blood drawn from IV port and a vein in his head. They are going to be doing an LP (basically a spinal tap) without sedation (because he ate alot this morning) to look for infection in the brain (which they think it is because his soft spot is bulging again)
Happy birthday......here's a broken heart and an anxiety attack. 

(posted to BBC on 09/21/2011)

Help! Carter hates solids!

Ah! He LOVES cereal, but hates baby food! I've even tried thickining it with cereal in case it was too runny for him, nope. He has had cereal since 3.5 months so the skill is definitely there. He jut doesn't like the taste of anything! We wait 3-4 days between introducing new foods. So far he has had
-peas...doesn't like it
-carrots...hates it
-butternut squash...hates it
-sweet potatoes...hates it
-green beans -hates it
-wax beans...hates it
-pears...hate
-bananas...hate

In 2 days we will try apples
But what do I do! 

(posted to BBC 09/20/2011)

Carter's new favorite thing to do,,,

Is chew on his bottle while telling stories!!! Lol
 http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z421/Noahcarter2/fbc21156.mp4

(posted to BBC 09/20/2011)

Brain Cold

All of the tests from the extra fluid came back normal!!!! Dr said he has a brain cold?? Lol. Apparently head colds and chest colds aren't the only ones! They are still keeping an eye on it as he does have chest congestion. But we may get to go home Monday (untill Wednesday night!) so he will hopefully bs home for my birthday ( the 21st ) 

(posted to BBC 09/17/2011)

Photos by mommy

I did a "home photo shoot" (nothing very creative) when Carter was a few weeks old. I want to do some for his 6 months and am thinking of a few ideas, let's see yours lol don't worry, won't take anyones ideas lol just love home photoshoots' 
Here are a few



(posted to BBC on 09/18/2011)

Carter Update :(

Recap: Carter came back to the hospital due to a bad cough, and they were going to do bloodwork to see if it's just a cold or virus or infection.

Update:
The tests of different viruses they tested came up negative so they think it's just viral. He has not had a fever or any other signs of infection. So he just has a bad cough/cold
We were supposed to go home today...but now something serious has come up.
Everyday they check his soft spot (it can indicate a number of different things, if it's sunken in too much, dehydration, raised too much, fluid)
Well his is a huge lump.
He has too much fluid around the brain. Which can mean a number of things; but not good things. (ei-brain tumor, more leukemia cells, etc) so they have done annultrasoud and took spine/brain fluid samples. We are waiting for the results. They will most likely have to put a shunt into his head to drain.

Never fails... Once things are going good/great/or ok, more bad news pops up.

:'( 

(posted to BBC on 09/15/2011)

Carter's babble! (video)

Super cute video of Carter "talking" I had to cut the length and quality to fit onto photo bucket

 http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z421/Noahcarter2/bce95cdd.mp4

(posted to BBC on 09/15/2011)

Finally a normal post!!

So Carter is a big fat turkey! Lol
He woke up this morning at 5:30 and decided he was ready for the day! He has had only 45 mins of sleep since then (broken up between 2 naps)
He just fell asleep now!!!.

(posted to BBC on 09/14/2011)

Carters still home!!! We went to clinic today (cancer clinic in the hospital for out patients, we go twice a week) and he was doing great they said! His platelets were a little low so try gave him a transfusion (which only took 45 mins) but he's doing great at home!
"I must learn what these are and how to use them to my advantage"

All my boys <3

A hat a family friend made for his balding head hehehe I love it

ODS "checking him before we go for a walk"

Me (SO SLEEPY!) and Carter having snuggled during the transfusion

Toy hog lol
 
 (Posted to BBC 09/09/2011, sorry it's out of order!)

:'( he's being admitted early

Well... My birthday is in 6 days....but today we are being admitted :( I know it's for the best and I do want him to get better and get rid o this stupid unfair cancer, but I just wish he would be home for
My birthday (selfish I know but..I wanted it so bad)
He had a cough yesterday and I told the dr and she said just to keep an eye on it and check his temp every 4 hours. Last night his cough became worse and worse and by 7 am he was getting into coughing fits, spitting up mucus (so think it was like gel!) so here we are, I'm the clinic, waiting to be admitted.
I totally expected this, and I knew the chance o it was slim that he would stay home untill the 22nd, but when it becomes reality and it happens, I'm just heart broken. I can't stop crying.
Cancer is bulli$/@"! I hate it! And it's not fair for a baby (or anyone) to have to go through alll of this! It's robbing him of his childhood!
Guess everyone breaks down once eventually... 

(posted to BBC on 09/13/2011)

Third times the charm?

Carter just pulled out his ng tube for the THIRD friggin time in the last 2 days!! Ugh! 

(posted to BBC on 09/11/2011)

He did it again!

Ugh! He puked out his tube again...back to the ER! grr!! Lol my MIL is coming with me so i have company lol (we are really close) 

(posted to BBC on 09/11/2011)

In the ER

Waiting for his NG tube (the one in his nose) tone pit back in! I woke up this morning to carters giggles, rolled over and there he is holding the tube in his hand laughing and playing with it! Little sneak!!! 5th time he has pulled it out!! So now we are in emerge (it's 9:58, and we got her at 8:30) and dr said hopefully be out around 2! WHAT! it takes 10 mins!! Ugh 

(posted to BBC on 09/10/2011)

FINALLY!!!

We were discharged from the hospital today!!!!! We go back the 22nd of this month... Which meNs...he will be home for my birthday! Best present EVER!!!!
 
 (posted to BBC on 09/06/2011)

Perfect Dinner

So, as most of you know, Carter has been allowed a day/night pass for the last few days. We got another one!!
Hubby hung out with the boys as I made a yummy dinner for corn on the cob, pork souvlaki, salad and a brownie for dessert! Now we are just about ready to go for a long family walk (and possibly the park!)
Today, was absolute bliss. I felt like we have a normal life today! 

(posted 09/05/2011)

:(

Do, we can't be discharged but we are on our second LOA(leap of absence, pretty mug an overnight pass) so we left yesterday at 130 to come home and had to go back by 10am. We left again at 130 and have to be back at 10am. This is because he is loosing weight :( in the last 4 days he has lost 1lb :( and he is not eating enough and he. Is vomiting alot (and by alot I mean it looks like something out of an exersist gag movie) tomorrow they will weigh him again and if he has not gained 2 oz then we have to stay
I know the hospital is the best place for him, but it's disappointing not being able to keep him home for a few weeks. But we will do whatever needs to be done for him to get better
We "dressed him up" to come home lol
 
(posted to BBC 09/04/2011)

Didn't think I would be so excited to get...

Medical supplies delivered to my house!
I was at the hospital with Noah (ODS) Carter and Allan (hubby) and came home with Noah to put him to bed( and do some disinfecting/dusting before Carter comes home tomorrow) and noticed a man in a car infront of my house. At first I was thinking why the hell is an older man parked outside my house. Then I went into the house and the doorbell rang. I answered it an the man said "hi, I'm am (insert hard to pronounce name here lol) from home-medical, and have your supplies for Carter. He handed me a bag, and said he needed to get the IV pole from the car. YAY! I know it sounds strange to be excited to get medical supplies delivered, but it makes Carter coming home more real!! The rest of the supplies are coming with a nurse tomorrow. The nurse will come and explain more (I've been practicing for a few days the things I will need to do at home) of the care we need to do with Carter.
Omg! I am so excited!!!
Just had to share lol!! 

(posted to BBC 09/02/2011)

A thank you and apology

Thank you everyone SO MUCH for all of the wonderful comforting words! It melts my heart knowing there are so many out tree rooting for our Carter! Words cannot express our gratitude!
And an apology
I'm sorry that te only posts I do are on carters journey. I leave comments on other posts that are not mine. The reason i only put carters leukemia posts are because I somewhat feel like an outsider (but also still feel like a fellow march momma so don't worry!) because Carter is not in the same situations as your LO's, because he will be a little behind in his development (but not much because e is such a fighter!) and I can't post your average post. Examples- STTN, he is sick so not sleeping through for different reasons, house work-I'm never home, DH posts-we hardly see eachother :( and so on. I know I am just a part of this group as all of you, but sometimes I'm sad because I can't complain about Carter not sleeping or submit a happy post about a day at the park or camping, etc.
I know this apology is silly, but thank you for listening.
And most importantly thank you for your endless support
-Meg 

(posted to BBC on 09/03/2011)

Doctors are amazed!!!

4 doctors in the last 3 days have said how AMAZED they are at how well Carter is doing . One of them said "he is in no way a sick baby.(besides the leukemia) the only reason he is 'sick' is from the chemo"
And with that said....
This round o chemo ends Friday, so on Saturday if everything is good....
WE ARE GOING HOME!! Until the next roun of chemo! Which is in a few weeks!
I am so happy, I can't even describe how proud I am of my strong boy! 

(posted to BBC on 09/01/2011)

Had to share!! LOL

My MIL's birthday was on Monday, so today we had her come to the hospital and have a little party (an I mean LITTLE!! DH's sisters live in other cities and go to school, and my FIL isn't much of a celebrator)
It was just our two boys, DH and MIL and I got some really cute/funny pics!




 
 (posted to BBC 09/01/2011)

Carter's a true man!

Carter was sleepy, there is not mug he can do stuck in his crib, we over-played with all of his toys but was still not ready for sleep but was very tired. I put on a little cartoon for him and this is how he lay! Lol so I just HAD to put the remote in his hand to pose like a real man!! Lol
 
(posted to BBC 08/31/2011)

Beautiful

Our day
-got home from the hospital, SIL came to keep me company (we are really close)
-went for a walk with SIL, cousin (also really close) and Carter
-both went home
-hubby and ODS came home
-nice family dinner
-Carter had a nap while me hubby and ODS play
-ODSwent to bed (Carter still sleeping)
-snuggled and watched a movie with hubby
-hubby in bed while I fed Carter
-carters now peacefully sleeping in my arms

I'm in complete bliss right now. I don't want to lay him down. I'll have to cause it's 2:00am and I need sleep, but it just feels so right being home with him

Thanks for listening! 

(posted to BBC on 08/25/2011)

Carter's visit home!!!

They surprised us! We are at home for a visit!!!!!!! We left at 1:00 pm and have to be back at the hospital for 8pm. And we will get to do this again tomorrow, before starting chemo again on Friday! I can't believe it! So happy!


 

So happy! 

(posted to BBC 08/22/2011)

Carter's day!

He was so happy today!
We got home (he fell asleep in the car)
When he woke up I fed him (he didn't throw up!!! Big accomplishment!), then we went for a two hour walk (he was mesmerized by the trees lol) came home, then daddy and big brother came home, had a nice family dinner outside (first time we used our patio set this summer) played outside, came inside and played, fed him and took him back to the hospital. He only cried once. (for about 3 minutes, usually he cries almost all day at the hospital) I was so happy to have him here today! Here is hoping it happens again tomorrow!
PS- show those happy babies of yours too!!!! We are all so lucky to have beautiful babies! Let's show them off!
I know its hard when our babies are very cranky and not sleeping but don't take it for granted, they are all so precious!





^"hmm" lol
 

 (posted to BBC 08/22/2011)