Chemo 1 of 4

Fintan was at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) last week for his first cycle of chemotherapy. He had an outpatients appointment on Thursday (10th) for an Echo Cardiogram - although there was really nothing to it Fintan became quite hysterical. He then had to have his weight, height and blood pressure taken; I don't think any accurate measurements were obtained as, again, he was uncooperative and hysterical. A very stressful morning!

We were back at GOSH early Friday morning for his Hickman Line insertion - this had been scheduled for 9.30am, but due to an emergency he did not go down to theatre until 1.3opm. He was back on the ward by about 3.00pm and slept off the anaesthetic for a couple of hours. Chemotherapy started at 7.30pm (Fri eve) - a combination of drugs and lots of fluids - then another dose started 24 hours later, finishing at 7.30pm (Sun eve).

Fintan coped really well - most of the time he was happy to lie back in his bed and watch TV! I did encourage him to take 'Robbie Robot' (through which his chemo and fluids are administered) for a walk about the ward a couple of times a day and we even managed to visit the shop in the main reception area on Sunday morning.

We got home late Sunday night, Monday he was still suffering a little with nausea, but was ready to go back to Pre-school on Tuesday morning! Despite looking rather pale and having lost a little weight, his energy levels do not seem to have been too badly affected and, as always, he is still smiling!

Fintan is due back at GOSH on 31st March - in the meantime we have Barnaby's birthday to celebrate!

Zzzzzzz - post anaesthetic

Tara (a photo on a stick was good enough for Fintan!)

TV dinner!

Zzzz - again!