Testing Results - Update

I am not sure how all cancer treatments go but I know that Kagan's cycles of 21 days is a fairly quick turnaround.  The way it was explained to me is that he receives very high doses of chemo in a short time to get an aggressive treatment on the lymph nodes. I guess this is why we seem like we are always at the doctor.  It is a week of chemo, a week of checks to prepare for chemo and a week of test to see how everything worked.    Fills up a calendar quick.

We had the echocardiogram and EKG.  We don't have any results back from those test but the tech certainly did not give us any indication to worry.

We had an audiogram today because one of the drugs can cause hearing problems.  The test was a little more high tech than that of the doctor's office with the beeping in the ear and holding up your hand.  He was taken to a sound booth where he was given several type of test.  Then the doctor left the room and did a more technical version of the beeping test was preformed.

When the test was over the doctor asked me how much Kagan used his ipod and ear buds.  I said "EVERYDAY".  She followed up with saying that she is so surprised because his hearing was beyond excellent!   She said most teens have damaged their hearing by his age and his was off the charts great!   (We caught a break!!)  She was very nice and explained everything to us about what to do to protect Kagan's hearing.  We will see her again in a few months for follow up to check and make sure no changes due to the chemo drugs.

Interesting fact:  The doctor said that if you stand with your hand out to your side and rest on a persons shoulder next to you that you should not be able to hear their music from their ear buds.   Kade, this means YOU!!!

We then went to the busiest office in Tampa, I think. The Pulmonary doctor's office was absolutely crazy.  I guess a lot of kids deal with issues with asthma and other breathing/lung issues but I would have never thought so many would have been at the doctor's office.

Kagan had to take a few test in the breathing chamber to test his lung volume, the exchange of gases and so forth. We really liked the doctor and his office staff today.  He went over everything with us.  Kagan's test shows some reduction in his ability to exchange gasses when he exhales.  The doctor is going to follow up with having his retake the test at the hospital this week to ensure that it is just not a variance between their equipment and that of the hospital.

On the prescription for the test he gave orders for the nurses to call him immediately once the test was completed so that he can come and go over the results with us while we are at the hospital.   LOVE THAT ATTENTION TO NOT LETTING ME WORRY!   He said once he had it we can talk about what else needs to be done to ensure that we do what we need to.

The doctor also reviewed my binder and the previous CAT and PET scans to look at the nodule on his lung.  He said that we would keep an eye on and determine if a biopsy of the lung is needed.  He did not want to send him for this test until chemo was over and wants to make sure that there is no cancer present there, if possible. 

Then Kagan and I enjoyed a lunch together in between appointments.  It was a nice time to talk to him.  He is getting really weary of talking about cancer, going back to school and all that is cancer related. I mean he is upbeat about it but he is just tired of everything being about cancer.  I totally get it; but at the same time he knows we have to talk about it.

The next big talk is going to be about if he can go back to school or not when school resumes.  Such a precious time in his life that I hate to see him miss out on 10th grade.   We will be using all the resources available to us to make the right decision when the time comes.

Kade is still doing football everyday.  He is really loving it.   Two-A-Days are suppose to start August 6th.  Today they got their football equipment and he is ready to hit the field in pads next week.  Then the following week is already time to go pick up his freshman schedule.  Crazy that summer is almost here.  Kade is not gonna know what to do when his social life gets cut into with school and he has to wake up at 6:15 a.m.

Kenadee is done with all her camps and just spending time at the gym and cheer practice.  Her back handspring tuck is great!  I am so proud of her.  She is working really hard to get ready for her busy cheerleading schedule that is up and coming.  They have choreography in a few weeks and them will keep practicing three days a week!   She is really ready to go back to school.  She will be in Junior High without any of her brothers this year as a 7th grader.