Update

Things were going well until Friday night, then we hit a little bump in the road. Zach started with a fever which got higher even with Tylenol and then had a reaction to one of the antiviral iv medications that they started. Protocol for kids with AML is to keep them throught the immunosupressed time as they stay longer in that period then with other cancers and that opens the door to more risks of infections. Friday night was an example. The blood cultures have shown an infection that was just starting, a strep infection which was in his blood. The final has not come back yet, but the dr feels that its probably and alpha strep (I'm not sure what that is") but that is what they watch for and what most AML kids are prone to after receiving the high dose chemo that he had last round. So, they started him within minutes on Vancomycin and Ceftazadine, both broad spectrum antibiotics that cover both gram negative and positive bacteria. So....he has progressivley gotten better and has remained fever free since Sunday. His appetite is back and so is his energy. I'm just glad that we were here because time is so important when an infection starts to invade your blood stream when you have no immune system.

He is getting better and it won't prolong his stay if his counts come up, fever is gone and he is having no issues. He can continue his antibiotics at home. It will be the last time we get to go home before the snow starts!!!

Uncle Bob and Aunt Yvette came up last Friday and visited. Zachs favorite new trick to play on staff is now the chopped off finger gadget that they brought for Zach. Its great....makes staff look twice. Zach had mercy on Uncle Bob and didn't attack him with the silly string we have, but he did drench him with his new squirt gun his new friend Sean got him!!!! Uncle Bob is a good sport and Aunt Yvette is too....they bring goodies when they come!! Thanks again for the goodies!!!!!




The tree's are beautiful here and in Burlington, they are peaking. In St Johnsbury its past peak. Its suppose to be getting colder now and I'm looking forward to it.
Tomorrow is suppose to be 74 and I think that is too warm for this time of year. I want cold!

Tomorrow some of the nurses and I are going to the new Target that just opned in Plattsburg New York which is a ferry ride across Lake Champlain. I'm so excited!!

Josh has an interview at the Williston fire department of Thursday at 5:30. This is for a paid on call position but it would open the door for him to get his EMT and then work in the emergency room and run fire/EMT calls for the fire station. Things are looking up for him.

So, this week his counts should come up and maybe we could get a break before round 4 starts.

Thanks to everyone for the continued support and prayers for Zach. WE can see God working everyday.

Happy Fall!
Steph and Zach