Friday, April 25, 2008
Back to Regina...
Mason was released from the Stollery late last week and got to enjoy a few nights at home in his own bed before returning to Regina for more chemo. I hear he is doing remarkably well, but was not pleased about going back to the hospital so soon after her got to come home. Unfortunately, they have to be in isolation in Regina because they have so recently been admitted at another hospital. I guess they want to contain any germs he may have picked up at the other hospital. Luckily for Mason, he has access to a Nintendo Wii, and has been keeping himself occupied with that. It looks like Mason has 16 or 17 weeks of chemo to go (from start to finish, not individual weeks), so he should be all done by the end of August. Just in time for a BIG birthday party for Mason’s 8th birthday!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Safe and Sound
Today is a much better day than yesterday for Mason and family. He has been eating, drinking and even enjoying a bit of TV.
The surgery wasn't complete until around 9:00 last night. Jade and Justin were sure happy to see Mason open his eyes. When he got back to his room and could barely talk yet, he asked if they could go down to the toy room and play air hockey. When told that he couldn't go just then, he said, "my bed's on wheels - just push me down there." What a boy!
The surgery appears to have been successful, although Mason can't move his left thumb just yet. They have been able to manage his pain relatively well up until this point. Some of the pain meds, however, have been making his skin itch.
Jade tells me that the team at Stollery has been sensational, with the exception of one exceptionally nasty nurse. They have been very pleased with the efforts of the surgeons, anestheseologist, plastic surgeons and other staff. Thank goodness for people like them who make little boys like Mason well again.
Mason will likely remain at Stollery for about a week, and then will be driving back home with Jade. The doctors just want to make sure that everything is going as planned in terms of blood flow to the surgery sites. Mason will need to go back to Edmonton for some follow up in a couple of weeks, but for now the family is looking forward to some much needed time at home.
Good job, Mason! We knew you'd be a star!
The surgery wasn't complete until around 9:00 last night. Jade and Justin were sure happy to see Mason open his eyes. When he got back to his room and could barely talk yet, he asked if they could go down to the toy room and play air hockey. When told that he couldn't go just then, he said, "my bed's on wheels - just push me down there." What a boy!
The surgery appears to have been successful, although Mason can't move his left thumb just yet. They have been able to manage his pain relatively well up until this point. Some of the pain meds, however, have been making his skin itch.
Jade tells me that the team at Stollery has been sensational, with the exception of one exceptionally nasty nurse. They have been very pleased with the efforts of the surgeons, anestheseologist, plastic surgeons and other staff. Thank goodness for people like them who make little boys like Mason well again.
Mason will likely remain at Stollery for about a week, and then will be driving back home with Jade. The doctors just want to make sure that everything is going as planned in terms of blood flow to the surgery sites. Mason will need to go back to Edmonton for some follow up in a couple of weeks, but for now the family is looking forward to some much needed time at home.
Good job, Mason! We knew you'd be a star!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Surgery Update 2
The reconstruction was completed at 5:15 tonight, and everything is still going smoothly. Dr. McIvor talked with Jade and Justin and told them that the plastic surgeons still needed another four hours, so now Mason won't be out of surgery until after 9:00. Needless to say, the waiting is getting increasingly difficult, and Jade and Justin are just wanting to see Mason. It has been a tough day, but the good news is that everything seems to be going as planned.
If there is more news tonight, I will post again.
If there is more news tonight, I will post again.
Surgery Update
Mason fell asleep about 12:10 this afternoon with his Mom at his side in the operating room. There was no news until around 2:30 when Jade received a call Dr. McIvor to say that the tumour has been removed! The reconstructive portion of the surgery is taking place right now, but there haven't been any further updates from the doctors yet. So far it appears as though everything is going according to plan, and the surgery is halfway over.
I will update as I know more...
I will update as I know more...
Surgery Today
It’s a big day for Mason today. He will be taken down to the OR at about 11:30 to prepare for the surgery, which is scheduled to begin at noon. Everyone is feeling pretty anxious about the events of the day. Jade tells me that Mason is doing pretty well, although he was beginning to feel a bit nervous last night.
Jade, Justin, Kale, Greg & Jordan will be at the hospital during the surgery, waiting to hear how things are going. It’s good that there will be a support group in place, as today is likely to seem pretty long for the family.
May our thoughts and prayers for Mason and his family today lift them up and give them strength. God bless Mason!
Jade, Justin, Kale, Greg & Jordan will be at the hospital during the surgery, waiting to hear how things are going. It’s good that there will be a support group in place, as today is likely to seem pretty long for the family.
May our thoughts and prayers for Mason and his family today lift them up and give them strength. God bless Mason!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Update from Edmonton
Good news for Mason!! The results of Mason's MRI show that the tumour has shrunk a whole bunch since the first MRI, which means that the chemo is working!!
The Clewis's travelled to Calgary at the end of March to catch the Flames/Oilers game on the 29th. The boys really enjoyed the game, although they were disappointed with the loss. Mason had to be in Edmonton for his MRI on April 1, which went pretty well. Jade tells me Mason isn't even phased by IVs anymore, so the whole MRI thing was a cinch for him. The family then had to wait until this past Saturday (April 5) to get the results of the MRI, which seemed a long wait for them. Mason and his parents met with Dr.Paul, who will be one of the surgeons performing the surgery, on Saturday. They received good news about the results of Mason's chemo, and now know exactly what to expect from the surgery. Dr. Paul is the tumour specialist and has performed the surgery before, and is very confident about it.
They are being admitted to the Stollery Children's Hospital (http://www.stollerykids.com/home.html) on Wednesday, and will meet with the surgical team again then. Mason's surgery is now scheduled for around noon on Thursday, April 10. The Operating Room has been booked for six hours. The first 3.5 hours Dr. McIvor and Dr. Paul will do their part removing the tumour, some bones and placing the plate. The remaining time will be for two plastic surgeons to finish up. It seems like results have been slow in coming, but this is all very positive news for Mason. It looks like all of his hard work fighting the cancer is paying off!
We are hoping to put some updates on the blog the day of the surgery, but I certainly don't want to pressure Jade to be on the phone - she'll have other things on her mind I'm sure. That day, I will be posting information as I hear it, so that everyone will be able to keep up with how Mason is doing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Clewis family this week as Mason undergoes his surgery. Hugs & Kisses to Mason!!
The Clewis's travelled to Calgary at the end of March to catch the Flames/Oilers game on the 29th. The boys really enjoyed the game, although they were disappointed with the loss. Mason had to be in Edmonton for his MRI on April 1, which went pretty well. Jade tells me Mason isn't even phased by IVs anymore, so the whole MRI thing was a cinch for him. The family then had to wait until this past Saturday (April 5) to get the results of the MRI, which seemed a long wait for them. Mason and his parents met with Dr.Paul, who will be one of the surgeons performing the surgery, on Saturday. They received good news about the results of Mason's chemo, and now know exactly what to expect from the surgery. Dr. Paul is the tumour specialist and has performed the surgery before, and is very confident about it.
They are being admitted to the Stollery Children's Hospital (http://www.stollerykids.com/home.html) on Wednesday, and will meet with the surgical team again then. Mason's surgery is now scheduled for around noon on Thursday, April 10. The Operating Room has been booked for six hours. The first 3.5 hours Dr. McIvor and Dr. Paul will do their part removing the tumour, some bones and placing the plate. The remaining time will be for two plastic surgeons to finish up. It seems like results have been slow in coming, but this is all very positive news for Mason. It looks like all of his hard work fighting the cancer is paying off!
We are hoping to put some updates on the blog the day of the surgery, but I certainly don't want to pressure Jade to be on the phone - she'll have other things on her mind I'm sure. That day, I will be posting information as I hear it, so that everyone will be able to keep up with how Mason is doing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Clewis family this week as Mason undergoes his surgery. Hugs & Kisses to Mason!!
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