Day 18/Day 6

Overall this past weekend was low key. On Saturday, Bob's aunt Sharon came into town to help us out for a week. Zoe is getting pretty spoiled with grandma and aunt Sharon.  Bob and I spent the weekend taking turns at the hospital. Zane is doing great and as long as his labs look good this afternoon he should be able to go home today. 

Currently Bob is hanging out with Zane in his room and Zac and I are in the clinic. Today Zac gets PEG which is a pretty powerful drug. Please say a prayer he doesn't have a reaction to it. 

(I'm blogging from my phone so no pictures right now.)

Day 15/Day 3

Zane started chemotherapy on Wednesday.  So far he is tolerating it pretty good.  He's not to found of vitals or people touching him.  When the nurses or doctors ask him if they can examine him he usually replies "no thank you."  They are getting a kick out of how polite he is.  He was able to rest on Thursday and Friday.
Zac had a slight fever last night and we thought Bob was going to have to bring him into the ER.  (I was with Zane at the hospital.)  Bob called the on call oncologist and they said it give it an hour and if the fever is still 100.5 or higher to bring him in.  After an hour Zac's fever was below the threshold and by the time he woke up it was back to normal.
After a long night Zac had his first round of chemo as an outpatient.  It was a long day.  His appointment was at 10:30 am and we didn't leave until 5:30 pm.  They had to double check some labs and he needed a little bit of blood.  Somehow we ended up with more play doh and toys to bring home.

Zac eating hot dogs for breakfast yesterday morning.  

Smiles from Zane yesterday morning.

Zane playing with his new Paw Patrol toy.

Another gift from one of the nurses for Zane.

Zane's view.

Zac right before we left the clinic today.  You can tell he had enough.

Identical Twins/Identical Cancer

It looks like Zane has the same Leukemia (T-cell ALL) as Zac.  We are just waiting on the final lab results.  They placed Zac's cells up against Zane's and they are identical.  The doctors have never seen anything like this.

Yesterday we took Zane to the doctor because his fever returned.  He did not present like Zac did two weeks ago so the doctor did not even think this was possible.  She ordered blood test more for Zac's protection than anything else.  She just wanted to make sure Zane didn't have anything that could harm Zac.  We got the call in the evening that the blood work looked like Zac's and to get Zane to the ER.

We got Zane to the ER and everything moved fast.  He was in his room relatively fast.  This morning they did the port, lumbar puncture, and bone marrow biopsy.  He slept most of the day and according to Bob he is doing great.

Thank you for all of the prayers and love you continue to pour on us.  We are just going to take this one day at a time and lean heavily on Jesus.

Zac yesterday relaxing in his favorite chair.  He's doing great!

Zoe wanting me to carry her like a baby.

The staff found out Zane loves Chase from Paw Patrol and had this waiting on his bed for him.  The people at MOTT's are just amazing.

Zane sleeping after his procedures.  The surgeon called me right after they took him back and asked if he could sew Zane's monkey up for him.  (The monkey's head was barely hanging on.)

Days 8, 9, and 10

Day 8
Zac had another lumbar puncture and chemo.  After we got back to his room he ate four slices of pizza and requested more.  Bob went to Chuck E Cheese and got him another pizza.  He is handling his chemo like a champ.

Waiting for his lumbar procedure.  It was a two and a half wait in pre-op.

His iPad died so he decided to take some selfies on my phone.

Back in his room eating some pizza.

Day 9

All of Zac's counts looked good enough for him to come home!! We are beyond grateful that he is safe at home.  He basically does not have an immune system right now.  We will be keeping him at home until his numbers start to rise.  

Eating pizza while we waited for the discharge papers.

In the hospital entrance waiting for Bob to get the car.

Heading home.

Checking out a new book.

Zane and Zoe happy to have their brother back home.

Day 10

Zac had a rough night of sleep.  I think he got used to us being right next to him while he slept at the hospital.  He would wake up and call out for mommy.  He would fall back asleep as soon as I made it to his bed.  

Zane woke up this morning and wanted to go bowling.  After a Starbucks run this morning, he and I headed to the bowling alley.  After bowling we ran to Target to buy more baking supplies.  Zane loves to bake.  It was a little hard to only have Zane and not both boys.  After we got back, Bob took Zoe and his mom on a little outing.  When Bob got back Zac asked if he could go for a ride and watch Frozen in the car.  So Bob is currently driving the boys around.  

Zane bowling.

Zac opening another gift.

Zane baked Zac a cake.

Day 6 and 7

Zac has had two relaxing days. He has spent his days napping, playing, and going for rides around the hospital.  His favorite thing to do is go to the gift shop for some Reece's miniature peanut butter cups.

Zane still has a fever and we've been in contact with his pediatrician.  We are hoping it breaks tonight.

Bob and I received some training today.  Training on his medicines, when to call, who to call, and all that stuff.

Tomorrow Zac receives another round of chemotherapy and another lumbar puncture.  It's still overwhelming everything that has happened in the past week.  Looking back we can tell he's been sick for a while.  Right now we are grateful his pediatrician decided to order a blood test.  We are grateful we have our little boy with us.  We know this is going to be a long road but we are choosing to be grateful in the midst of this storm.

Zane and Zoe making blueberry muffins yesterday morning. 

Zac playing with his gumboil machine yesterday.  Notice his collection of penguins is growing.

Zane last night watching a cooking show.

Zac this morning.  

Day 5

Zac had a really good night of rest last night.  He slept through all of his vitals and labs.  Today was supposed to be a day of rest for our boy but he had a lot of staff in and out of his room. 

I left him around noon in order to take Zane out for some mommy time.  When I got home he was asleep and when we woke up he was pretty cranky.  Zane is running a low grade fever right now.  Since Zac was doing fine, we decided I would just spend the rest of the day at home.  

I spent the rest of the afternoon deep cleaning the kitchen.  As I was making dinner Zoe threw up all over the kitchen floor.  So after that happened we decided I would just spend the night at home.  Zane is still running a fever but is feeling better.

Zac continues to amaze us.  He is starting to show his sweet personality to the nursing staff.  He's not to fond of the doctors so they don't get to see the Zac we know and love.  

We are still overwhelmed by all the love and prayers.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  

Bob sent me this photo of Zac relaxing in the chair playing with Play-Doh.

Taking a nap.

Day 4 (February 15th)

Taking a ride before his chemo treatment.  He only has to wear the mask when we take him off of his floor.  He made sure his penguin was protected against germs too.

Enjoying some cookies while we wait for his treatment.

Getting some snuggles from daddy after his treatment.

Enjoying some dinner with his friends looking on.

Enjoying a late night snack of his favorite fruit.

Some smiles right before he fell asleep.

Day 3

Overall Zac had a good night last night.  He slept threw his vitals and lab work.  He woke up a few times to make sure I was still there.  As soon as I would place my hand on his leg he would calm down and go to sleep.  Today was a day of rest for him.

I was able to come home and spend some time with Zane and Zoe.  Zane and I made a Target run before we headed up to the hospital.  When we got to the hospital to told me he wanted Zac to come home.  Zane and Zoe know Zac is sick but I don't think they fully understand how sick he is.

Zane and Zoe had fun playing in the various child life room that they have. 

Tonight Bob is staying with Zac while I am at home with Zane and Zoe.

Pictures from Day 2

Checking out his crayons from nana.

Surrounded by his toys while watching a movie on iPad.

Day 2

Today was a pretty uneventful day. The port they put in Zac allowed them to draw labs without waking him up last night. He pretty much slept through vital signs last night, he only woke up once.  This morning he was in a great mood.  He was a little cranky in the afternoon and we found out his hemoglobin was just below the normal range so he got some more blood. After that he perked back up and was back to laughing and playing.

I was able to go home for a few hours to see Zane and Zoe.  Zane did not want me to leave again. He kept telling me that "it's Zane's turn for mommy."   Bob is going to bring the Zane and Zoe to visit Zac tomorrow.   They have play area for the kids on our floor. It will be good to have the three kids playing together again.

Bob and I are hanging in there. Our emotions are all over the place but overall we are very hopeful.

Day 1

Zac did great with his surgery.  Within hours he was playing and laughing.  He just amazes his dad and I.  Zac just received his first round of chemo and is so far doing great.  We are hoping we all get some sleep tonight.  The port they put in allows them to draw labs without waking him up. I am currently snuggling with him and praying he falls asleep soon.
How he responds to the first month of treatment determines what path of treatment he will have. thanks again for all of your prayers and support.

Surgery

Zac is in surgery to have a port placed, spinal tap, and bone marrow biopsy. He will also have his first round of chemotherapy.
We still can't believe this is happening. We are looking at being in the hospital until February 21st.
We received a lot of information yesterday and we are still trying to process all of this.
Right now we are beyond grateful for all the prayers, love and support.

Leukemia

Yesterday I took Zac to the doctor because he hasn't been himself lately. The doctors agreed something wasn't right and ordered blood test. We went home and that evening they called with the results. We needed to get him to the ER immediately. Bob took him while I stayed home with Zane and Zoe. The diagnosis is Leukemia. They are still waiting on the test results and we should know a treatment plan soon.
Never in a million years did we think we would be walking this road. To say we are in shock is an understatement. I'll be using the blog to post updates and let everybody know what's going on.
We appreciate all prayers for Zac. We are standing firm on God's word.