Today was the beginning of the first of the lasts for Joshua as he is drawing closer and closer to the end of his long treatment road.
Renee and the boys got an early start to head into the clinic but now without making sure Joshua's port had his emla applied so he could get accessed for the last time. All of Joshua's favorites lined up to make his day go smoothly. His favorite port access nurse Jennifer got the ball rolling followed by and end of treatment discussion with Dr. O who originally diagnosed him and then Dr. Wynn did his final LP and bone marrow aspiration. Dr Wynn also did his very first LP and bone marrow which made it a nice bookend.
Joshua set a new and all time record of 1 minute 16.1 seconds before he entered the land of no dreams, he was very pleased with that:) While he was waiting in the day hospital Miss Leslie from Child Life came by with a bunch of presents from the clinic to help celebrate his last LP.
Joshua had to go back to the clinic to get his last dose of vincristine and then get de-accessed and sent home.
It was a very emotional day for all of us and it really signaled the beginning of the end of treatment. Joshua was a trooper like always and did great through all of the procedures. He was a little sore and understandably tired for the rest of the day but was resting comfortably this evening when I got home.
So we say goodbye today to the wonderful nurses of the day hospital who have always given Joshua the best of care and whose company we have always enjoyed, we say farewell to having chemo drugs injected into his spine, and see you later to bone marrow being drawn from his hip bone. We will have preliminary results from his marrow draw in a few days and the final results in about two weeks.
We also got to let the monster out of his cage for the last time! This week will be his last steroids pulse and come Saturday we can finally banish the monster once and for all. I don't think any of us will miss him at all :)
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3 comments:
Hip Hip Hooray Joshua!
Lee, Renee, Jarrod and Joshua,
Your family is an inspiration to so many paople. This detour took you on a journey that has changed many peoples lives and you did it with an amazing fortitude and grace.
We love you, Miss Laura and Frank
Hey Snuggle Monkey,
What a wonderful way to end a long and arduous journey. The entire Gandy Gang is amazing. And Miss Laura is correct - all of you have changed many lives.
One last roar from the monster (actually I hope it is a small squeek) and it can be forever banned.
Keep kickin butt Mighty Warrior. You are my Champion.
Tons of Love, Hugs and Kisses,
Nonna
What an amazing day for you all! Beginning of the end. I'm getting teary sitting here thinking about all you have been through in the past three years and the strength and maturity Joshua has shown through it all.
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