Author: Uncle Matt

Here are three reasons to be happy and hopeful this Friday.

1. Three of Peter’s chromosomes were examined for certain abnormalities, but none were found. This is a good sign. We really don’t know exactly how good, given that he still has the “unfavorable histology”, but at least this one thing is favorable. I apologize for the lack of medical depth in that tidbit!
2. Yesterday the doctor was feeling Peter’s abdomen to get a sense of the tumor’s condition. After pushing firmly and thoroughly, the doctor reported that she couldn’t really feel the tumor at all. The doctor had given this same examination before and after surgery and could easily identify the tumor. Furthermore, the doctors are careful about managing expectations, so Ty and Erika are not used to hearing positive news without a disclaimer. To make that announcement, the doctor must have confidence that the tumor is shrinking.
3. Peter is smiling as round two of chemo comes to a close. If it wasn’t for the IV pole and an absence of hair, you might not know Peter is sick. The Eigners should be discharged from the hospital at about 10:00 AM.

I have been a little under the weather and not able to go to the hospital, but I keep hearing great reports from those who have visited Peter and his parents. He has great energy, he’s eating very well, and he’s happy. I hear that he’s been playing baseball with a Twins pillow, throwing the football, playing knee-hockey, and racing cars. This doesn’t sound like a kid attached to an IV in a hospital. But it does sound like Peter.

Between the second and third rounds of chemo, Peter will have a marrow cell harvest procedure. Ty and Erika had an informative meeting the other day with a marrow transplant specialist and that procedure shouldn’t be too intrusive. I believe the harvested cells are “cleaned” and frozen. The good cells will then be re-inserted into Peter much later in his treatment.

So, like a true champion, he’s often making this battle look easy. I have to believe the enemy is on the run.

As expected, Peter was admitted to the hospital for round 2. He is attached to his pole as the chemo drip continues. The effects of the medication are more apparent this round. When the first round started, Peter hadn’t fully recovered from the surgery and tests that took place only days earlier. Discomfort, fatigue, and nausea could be attributed to any number of trials he endured. But arriving for the second round, Peter brought along all the energy and attitude we’ve all come to know over the first 4 years of his life. Therefore, the power of what is entering his body is more evident.

That isn’t to say he’s not doing well. He’s doing great. He’s just a little more tired and a little more uncomfortable at times. Right now the Twins are playing and he’s cheering for the Twins, unless Big Pappi is at the bat. He likes David Ortiz.

Ty, Erika and Peter should be in Minneapolis on Monday morning about 10:00 AM. Peter will first be examined at a clinic beside the hospital to verify that he is fit for the second round of chemotherapy. Assuming everything checks out — and judging by Peter’s visible condition everything will check out — he will be readmitted to the hospital. Then the second round of chemotherapy will begin sometime later in the day.

As you can gather from the previous posts, Peter is doing great. He had lost most of his hair over the past week, leaving a couple patches up top. But a vigorous bath last night pretty much wiped those strands out as well. Not that he cares.

Let’s get round two started, Peter. It’s time to keep beating the bad guys.

There isn’t a lot to report at the moment and I believe that’s a good thing. Peter is doing well and side effects continue to be minimal. His blood cell counts are very low — as expected — making him succeptable to infections. He wears a mask if going into public. But, as Erika mentioned in the previous post, he seems to be taking it all in stride.

I’m sure that the return of Ellie has helped ease his isolation at home. And once Kate beats her ear infection, she can rejoin the clan as well. Here’s a picture of Pete and his favorite little girls taken earlier in the summer. If you’re wondering why Peter’s hands are raised, take a closer look. In his right hand you’ll see the butt end of a hockey stick, so we can deduce that he has scored a big goal.

Peter is still doing well. He’s been playing some air hockey and various games. He even rode his bike in the driveway (he was racing his dog, Baron) and remains his happy-go-lucky self.

However, he is weak. Before his diagnosis, he wasn’t eating well and low energy kept him from playing and working his muscles. He was losing weight. Then two weeks in the hospital only exaggerated his condition. So like a newborn horse, he is a little unstable. On the long walk from his hospital room to the car, he took a couple spills (no harm done).

Erika and Ty are getting into their new routine. They are administering various medications multiple times per day through Peter’s line. They also have to care for the lines. In addition, they will be keeping careful records of food and drink intake (and bathroom activities). A nurse will be visiting a couple times per week to take blood and do checkups.

That’s it for now. Happy Labor Day!

What a neat sign. It’s on the Brainerd Ice Arena. Thanks to the sign’s creator(s) and to Sue Peltoma for the photos.

Also, I’ll continue to post updates while the Eigners are home, so stay tuned.

Round one of chemo in the bout of Peter v. Cancer was completed at noon today and Pete-man is returning to his corner with a spring in his step. This metaphor is appropriate not only because he’s done so well, but because he’s going home this afternoon! That’s right. The discharge papers should be complete any minute and by 2:30 PM the Eigners should have their vehicle pointed north.

To be leaving on Friday afternoon as opposed to leaving over the weekend was somewhat unexpected, but Peter has been resilient and is in good form. With proper care and some luck, Ty, Erika and Peter won’t be back in Minneapolis for two weeks when round two begins. The most prominent concerns are ensuring that Peter doesn’t pick up any viruses as his immune system is weak and keeping his Hickman clean and intact. Although the first round of treatment is done being administered, the effects will continue to pervade his little body.

It is thrilling to see Peter doing so well thus far. I’m anxious to learn how effective this treatment has been, but we won’t know for two months or so. As the plan stands, that is when he would go through the same battery of tests to learn just how little cancer is left, if any! One can hope! And this one will.

Things are going well at the hospital today. When I left, Peter was making a big dent in a sub sandwich that was roughly the same size as his torso. It’s really good to see him eat. He continues to be in good spirits and the outward effects of the chemo have been mild so far. It’s hard to believe that it was two weeks ago tonight that they checked into the hospital.

You can see from the previous post that the kid is looking good and fortunately he’s feeling relatively good, too. His hair style is so fancy that he’s attracted a following. Ty and Uncle Trent are wearing the buzz and I joined the club this afternoon. I hear Uncle Troy is up tonight. The haircut formula is pretty simple; Put a #2 attachment on a razor and cut ’til it’s gone. Then you too can look like Peter or Beckham (at least from the forehead up).

His IV pole is in constant tow and it has many new computers and bags dangling. That doesn’t stop him from playing some knee hockey in the hallway. I said his pole is starting to look like a Christmas tree and Peter told me that the new stuff helps fight the bad guys. Yesterday Erika and Ty asked what his favorite part of the day was. “Swishing the medicine around in my mouth.”, he responded. (They put a plunger of medicine in his mouth each day during chemo to prevent sores and apparently it tastes pretty good.)

There aren’t many outward effects of treatment yet and hopefully that trend will continue. I personally would love to see him keep his big eyelashes and we all just want him to be comfortable. They say that the side effects are different for each patient, but we only care that Peter gets the primary effect — remission.

The treatment officially started at about 11:30 AM. All the chemo is given intravenously. Different solutions are dripped at various times and lengths with one solution dripped continuously for 72 hours. It has all started innocently enough. Peter has been playing and generally having a good day. He finished his haircut and likes to rub his hand over his hair stubs.

Although the negative effects of treatment aren’t yet evident, there are now more restrictions on visiting Peter and family. His immune system is going to be vulnerable and controlling germs will be crucial, so traffic in the hospital has to be reduced somewhat (especially from other children). I’m not sure exactly how we’ll coordinate this, but I’ll try to add some information shortly.

So I’m happy that there isn’t too much to report today. Thanks for all the amazing comments and prayers. The fight is underway!