Jake has been sick since Thursday with a 104 degree fever. On Friday, he started to get a rash all over his whole body and on Saturday, his fever had still not broke. I called the pediatrician and they said he most likely had strep, so bring him in to do a culture. When we got to the doctor, he took one look at the rash on his arms and called an ambulance. He thought that the strep had gotten into his bloodstream and had caused a blood infection which he said can be life threatening, so he wanted him to the hospital as soon as possible.
Jake was transported up to Primary Children's and they ran a ton of blood tests, finding out that it was not a blood infection, but leukemia. He has been diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia.
He had surgery this morning where they placed a port in his chest along with doing a spinal tap and a bone marrow biopsy. He was given his first dose of chemo in his spine during the spinal tap. He will start chemo tomorrow. We will be here in the hospital for another week or so. Luckily, after the first week, his chemo will all be given outpatient, so we won't have to stay in the hospital unless there are complications. He will receive chemo once a week for six months and then once a month for the next 3 years. During that time he has to take a pill each day for the next 3 1/2 years. They say the first and fourth months are the most difficult. The first month they give him a steroid every day which could cause him to be irritable and have his moods consistently change. He, most likely, will lose his hair in the 2nd and 3rd weeks. Jeff says they're going to have a "Shave Your Head for Jake" day. I'm not sure Jeff's hair will ever grow back!!
He is feeling much better this afternoon and is actually interacting with people and of course feels better because he gets to play the Wii as much as he wants! He has been so strong and so brave during the last couple of days and we are so proud of how he is handling this trial.
We are so grateful for the many prayers and calls that we have received from friends and family. Thank you so much for your love and support. We will be forever grateful! We will continue to update you as we find out more of what is going on.
7 comments:
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Rough road ahead, but know that you have friends that love you and would do anything for you (including sonic coke runs and kneaders bread pudding runs up to the hospital)! You guys are great!
HEIDI AND JEFF (and of course Jake)
We have been thinking and praying for you for two solid days and know that we will be for months.. I agree rough road but you are so strong you're going to get through this. We love you guys so much you are such wonderful friends and if you need ANYTHING, ANYTHING I am here for you... I get Jake next week!
Love you so much
PS
Thank you sooooo much for the update we've been sick about not hearing from YOU!
So thankful for the udpates. My kids have prayed for Jake in every prayer and will continue to do so. We know that power of prayer in our lives - particularly with Kenyon's leukemia. I am willing to do anything!! You will be blessed and Jake is going to do great!
PPS I meant to say that I get Cole next week!
I'm so glad you're leaving updates on your blog..that is a great idea! We are all praying for you and love you so much! Please let us know if we can do anything during this difficult time. We love you guys!
Love, the Kotters
Dear Heidi and Jeff,
You are in our prayers and we have great faith that your beautiful little boy will get well. You are such an example and we will continue to pray for your wonderful family.
The Burts
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