Another Fever and Clinic Day

In the past week Ryley has lost his 2 front teeth.  The tooth fairy is going broke, but it is good to finally see him losing some teeth.


This past Sunday Karlee wasn’t feeling too good, and around noon we took her temperature and it was over 39.  After a quick call to the on-call Oncologist Jennifer and Karlee were on their way up to the unit.  We had a bit of a scramble getting out of the house as Ryley was going to Skillz at the same time.  They dropped us off at Skillz and then realized they didn’t put freezie cream on Karlee’s port so they had to turn around and head back home.  They took blood and cultures when they got to the hospital.  When they saw the doctor he was concerned about a crackle in her lung so he ordered an x-ray.  He wanted to hold off on the antibiotics until he had seen the x-ray so they were a little delayed.  There was no radiologist there on Sunday so he read the x-ray himself and felt there were no issues.  So after a quick dose of antibiotics they were back to Grandma’s just after 6pm and in time for a slightly late supper.


The fever continued Sunday night and Monday morning.  She was supposed to have a penguin celebration at school and the wrap up for their Generosity Days benefiting Camp Kindle, but was not feeling up to going.  She still had the fever and was accessed so it just wasn’t possible for her to be there.  The supplies for Camp Kindle are just incredible and have far exceeded all expectations.  Somerset School really is an incredible group of kids, parents and teachers!  Everything will be put to good use and will be appreciated by the kids and staff at Camp Kindle!


Monday afternoon Dad got to take Karlee to the clinic to get another dose of antibiotics.  We got there at 2:30, got our isolation room and got the drugs really fast.  We were out of there just after 3:30 and on our way home!  It was a great visit as it was very fast.  We stopped at Fabricland for Mom.  She needed some fabric and the other 3 Fabricland’s we had tried were sold out.  I think I might have cheered in the store when they had it!


Monday evening she still had her fever going.  Thankfully we were allowed to give Tylenol so we were able to keep her comfortable.  Tuesday was Valentine’s Day and again Karlee didn’t get to go to school for her party.  We dropped off the cheese and crackers for the party and her Valentine’s with another parent and came home to let her rest.  Mom went to school to volunteer for special lunch with the rest of the school.  When she got back Karlee was again warm.  When we took her temperature it was 38.7 so we called up to see if they wanted us to give her Tylenol this close to her appointment.  The nurse said to go for it since we would be in in 2.5 hours and could be checked out then.  No sooner had we given her the Tylenol than the phone rang again.  I figured we were being told not to give her the Tylenol, but they just wanted to see her as soon as possible.  So after a little juggling we were off to the clinic again.


When we got to the clinic they put us in an exam room as an isolation room.  Nurse Allison was in shortly and informed me that this was the room that Karlee had coded in with her.  She quickly took some more blood and took us off isolation.  On the way in the clinic Karlee got a cute Valentine bear, candy and a heart balloon.  It was a nice visit for Dad as he got to see a couple of doctor, nurses, Laura (social worker) and Chantel (Child Life Specialist).  We saw Dr. Lewis today and he wasn’t too concerned about the fever as it seemed to be getting lower and was responding well to Tylenol.  After a pretty thorough physical exam he decided that we would go ahead with chemo today assuming her cultures from Sunday were still negative.  While we were waiting for chemo Chantel came by and Jennifer donated a couple of pair of slippers to the unit.  She is trying to donate 2 pairs a month to the unit or clinic.  Chantel said the kids enjoyed getting slippers when they are on the unit.


We had a fun little time playing DS and watching movies.  They gave Karlee the chemo without any issues and we were on our way home again.  Dr. Lewis just wanted us to try and control her fever with Tylenol so hopefully that works and we don’t end up at the hospital again this weekend.  Before supper we gave the kids their Valentine’s gifts.  This year instead of candy and stuffed animals we got them each a little lego set.  They both loved them and had a great time building them.


Today was the 100th day of school so Ryley’s class had to dress up as though they were 100 years old.  He really enjoyed the idea and ran with it.  He got a cane, wore a flannel shirt and a pair of pants.  Mom did a comb over on his hair and dyed it white and he wore his glasses on his nose.  Even his teacher commented on what a great job he did dressing up.


Jennifer has been busy making slippers as we seem to be getting some business off facebook (www.facebook.com/slipperbyjennifer).


The head shave has been going really good so far!  We have met our goal already and have increased it by another $1,000.  If you want to sponsor us you can do so at the following link: https://secure.csfm.com/kidscancer/shaveyourlidforakid/home/profile.php?participant_id=746992561327074991  We would like to thank everyone for the incredible support for this event!

January 2012

Wow!  I always find it surprising when I realize it has almost been a month since I last blogged.
We finally got our winter deep freeze.  Starting January 16th we dropped into the –30 range and basically stayed there for a week.  The kids were late for school each morning as they waited for Jennifer to come back each day to take them to school.  It was just too cold to go outside and walk to school.  With the wind chills we were in the –40 area.  We can’t complain this year.  We have had pretty good weather and this was the first really nasty week.


Karlee had clinic day on January 17th.  It was an afternoon appointment so she gets to go to school in the morning.Just after noon they headed up there for a 1:30 appointment.  Of course when the weather get cold everyone who works at the hospital parks in the parkade so getting a parking spot took a little extra time.  Karlee was just getting an exam and some chemo in her port so she didn’t get a room or a bed.  They got to see a new fellow and she was concerned about the scheduling.  When they delayed Karlee and then she coded she waited almost a week and a half to have her scheduled procedure and chemo.  Then they decided to not alter her other appointments so her time between appointments was only 2.5 weeks instead of the normal 28 days.  Once they got everything figured out she had her chemo and they were on their way.  Jennifer has started donating 2 pairs of slippers a month to the unit or clinic.  She gives them to Child Life and they find someone who would like them and who they would fit.  Hopefully this is something the kids in the unit will enjoy.


Karlee has been struggling a little with the new level of chemo.  She really needs her afternoon nap now as the chemo seems to take a little more out of her on a daily basis.




Ryley and Jennifer went to their first winter cub camp together.  Fortunately the weather cooperated and it wasn't too cold, but was still cold enough to have snow and feel like a winter camp.  They both survived quite well and determined that our new winter sleeping bags are not for a winter camp where you sleep inside.  Ryley had a great time and really enjoyed himself, but didn't get much sleep.


We have been busy with the kids school over the last couple of weeks.  I had a meeting with Karlee’s teacher to help plan out the Kindergarten’s Day’s of Generosity Campaign this year.  Every year they pick a charity and collect items for that charity.  This year they are collecting items to help the Kids Cancer Care Foundation and specifically Camp Kindle.  We went and did a presentation to the entire school about the camp and what they need and Ashlee from KCC said a few words too.  It is exciting to see what they can collect and how they can see a tangible result to their charitable work.


We have also been talking with the school about the upcoming head shave we are organizing.  I have been growing my hair and beard since June and Ryely has been growing his hair since September.  Our goal is to raise $3,000 as a pair and $20,000 as a group.  We are going to partner with the school and hold the head shave on Friday May 25th with the school dance!  We are very excited and are hoping to raise a ton of money for the Kid Cancer Care Foundation.  Right now we are at 11 people getting their heads shaved and are hoping to get a bunch more!  The school is hoping to have a few staff members go bald and raise some money.
If you would like to shave your head please send me an e-mail at ronlewis@telusplanet.net.  If you would like to donate to Ryley and I you can do so online at https://secure.csfm.com/kidscancer/shaveyourlidforakid/pledge/index.php?participant_id=746992561327074991


Ryley’s hockey team has finally found their stride and has won their last 2 games in epic battles with the kids showing some great determination and effort!  Hopefully they can continue this through the end of the year.