{"id":101,"date":"2012-10-12T19:22:56","date_gmt":"2012-10-12T19:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jacobhickford.com\/?p=101"},"modified":"2012-11-05T20:13:14","modified_gmt":"2012-11-06T03:13:14","slug":"101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacobhickford.com\/?p=101","title":{"rendered":"The Battle Begins"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Although, I guess you can say this journey began\u00a0September 27th, today felt like the day we begin the fight of our lives, the fight for Jake’s life.\u00a0 For me, anxiety and emotions were high.\u00a0 Today is the day our youngest, our Handsome<\/em>, starts chemotherapy.\u00a0 I didn’t know what to expect, but my visions were overwhelming.\u00a0 We began by an early 7:15 appointment on the 20th floor (Heart floor)\u00a0for and Echo Gram – probably one of the easiest tests J will ever have, yet he fought as though it were one of the worst (which didn’t quite start the day off well for him).\u00a0 We then headed downstairs to our ever so common 14th floor appointment to check in with our Oncology team, sign admittance papers, and access J’s port for the first time.\u00a0 As we stepped into the elevator the tightness in my chest was too much.\u00a0We’ve taken that ride to the 14th floor, how many times now?? \u00a0A lot!\u00a0 Something about today was so overwhelming.\u00a0 As I held my baby, and the floors ticked down, the tears began to well.\u00a0 I had to face the wall so others wouldn’t see tears rolling down my face, and as the doors opened, I couldn’t move.\u00a0 Sobbing, Henry led me out and I went to the window with the Twinkle Star Cow to gain\u00a0my composure before walking toward\u00a0THAT WALL…\u00a0in BIG letters, it says, Hematology\/Oncology.\u00a0 People say they hate to use\u00a0the “C” word but I think I hate those two words worse – they mask the truth behind them… it is the Cancer Clinic…. it is the\u00a0Cancer floor.\u00a0 Everywhere you look there are little ones with bracelets.\u00a0 I can’t help but look every time I see a child… does he have one?\u00a0 If not, then that child is there because his brother or sister has one.\u00a0 There are kids with hair, without hair, all with bracelets.\u00a0 As much as I know God loves the world, Jesus loves the little children, my heart drops and I often find myself asking, why the children?\u00a0 They are precious, and so little, and so sick.\u00a0 I held Jake tight as Henry checked us in and we found a sofa by the window.\u00a0 Jake wasn’t feeling well\u00a0at all this morning and he wouldn’t let me put him down.\u00a0 It felt like a fever starting and he just wanted to\u00a0be held\u00a0– of course it didn’t help that he had just gone 9 rounds with me, Daddy, and a nurse over a simple Echogram.\u00a0 Those outbursts wear him out.<\/div>\n
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\"\"<\/a>We got into our exam room and Jake just didn’t look good.\u00a0We spent some time with Dr. Zage and Dr. Foster and drilled them\u00a0with all of our questions.\u00a0 Then it was time.\u00a0 Port access.\u00a0 He was already in my lap so that’s where he stayed so we could confine him as\u00a0she\u00a0went in for the chest.\u00a0 Nothing prepares you for seeing a needle go into your child’s chest with a line hanging out.\u00a0 It’s so medical and serious and horrible. But we lived through it while Jake screamed and\u00a0his sobs slowly drifted to quiet\u00a0murmurs\u00a0that he hates that doctor (she was a nurse but he doesn’t differentiate yet).\u00a0 She hooked him up to an IV pole, began fluids, and took\u00a0us to the infusion room.\u00a0 We found a quiet\u00a0corner with a couple of big cozy chairs to wait until our room was ready.\u00a0 As we sat down to get comfy for a while, Jake and Daddy drifted off and \u00a0I looked around to take it all in, eyes swelling, ready to burst at any moment.\u00a0 Some of the nurses would pass by with consoling looks, none of them saying a word, and for that I was thankful.<\/div>\n
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\"\"<\/a>As we\u00a0waited, one of the Child Life\u00a0Counselors came to visit with us and find out how they could help us. They are wonderful and care for the whole family, not just the patient. We discussed role play therapy with J over\u00a0taking meds, his port, and hair loss.\u00a0 They also talked about bringing the rest of the kids in to talk and educate them about Jake’s disease and his treatments.\u00a0 She brought him a doll that has a port with all sorts of medical accessories for him to play with so he won’t be so afraid\u00a0 She also brought some\u00a0glow-in-the-dark dino stickers and a Dinosaur Train color book with crayons… SCORE!\u00a0 The loveliest part was that she brought a form for me to sign\u00a0from Peach’s Neet Feet (see www.peachsneatfeet.org<\/a>\u00a0).\u00a0 Special friends contacted them on Jake’s behalf and they\u00a0selected him to receive his own pair of special\u00a0hand painted shoes in November.\u00a0He is going to LOVE them and what a precious gift.<\/div>\n
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As we waited, along came the vitals cart (blood pressure, temp) and sure enough, Jake had a\u00a0temperature.\u00a0 This really\u00a0isn’t anything new to us. He runs a low grade temp off and on throughout the day, and over the past couple of weeks it’s become more consistent and common. This was, however, not something they were expecting.\u00a0 In\u00a0they came to consult. However, when Dr. Foster came along and explained it as part of his cancer symptoms, they relaxed.\u00a0 It was becoming a long day full of waiting and at 3:00 they came for us.\u00a0 The 14th Floor Clinic isn’t far from the West Tower 9th Floor, just a tunnel and some elevators, but I don’t remember the ride – it’s a blur.\u00a0 The elevator doors opened, welcoming us to our new home away from home, or so I’m told. \u00a0We got settled and around 5:30, they hooked him up.\u00a0 They started the chemo and it was painless and easy.\u00a0 Too easy.\u00a0\u00a0While we put our faith in Christ for putting all of the people and tools in place to bring Jake’s healing, today we also put our faith in the drugs that will offer Jake the armor to battle this horrible disease.\u00a0 It was a long day.\u00a0 An emotional day.\u00a0 And now we rest and prepare… breath in… breath out……….<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Although, I guess you can say this journey began\u00a0September 27th, today felt like the day we begin the fight of our lives, the fight for Jake’s life.\u00a0 For me, anxiety and emotions were high.\u00a0 Today is the day our youngest, our Handsome, starts chemotherapy.\u00a0 I didn’t know what to expect, but my visions were overwhelming.\u00a0 … <\/p>\n

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