Wilms Warrior: Through the looking glass

I couldn't remember. I had to tell the story through pictures. This is why i took them. I knew I would forget....

Friday, April 6th

The morning of surgery. Eli was unphased and happy, even with an IV in. I wish I could have said the same for myself. Both Rob and I had traded off crying in the bathroom the entire day. Luckily Rob's parents came in and they helped distract us.

Eli was set for a 4-5 hour operation at 2 PM. It was closer to 4 before they even got started. After handing him off to a complete stranger at the surgery room door I turned and asked the receptionist in the waiting room if there was a bar in the hospital.........she reminded me I was in a children's hospital and "No, there is no bar." and i replied, "Ya...i guess it would be the saddest bar in the world." I'm certain she thought i was a freak.


Directly after surgery and already sleeping back on his stomach.


Eli lost his right kidney, 4 lymph nodes, and a 2.25 lb "nerf football" size tumor in his belly. But the best news that came out of surgery was that we had just caught it in time. Although trying to push out of the kidney it had not done so visibly. He was eventually diagnosed officially with Stage II Wilms.

Night 1 post surgery

Buddy sleeping with the help of a morphine drip

Saturday, April 7th


Mama & Eli

Dada and Eli


Eli had an epidural in his back, an IV in his hand, his arm, and a catheter (to accompany the epidural cause you don't have the muscles to push pee out) We were lucky that his breathing tube came out right after surgery. It did leave him wheezing for a few days from it though.

Easter Sunday, April 8th

Nothing says "Easter Dinner" like an overcooked cup of cafeteria macaroni and cheese and ice water.


Eli waking up and watching Baby Einstein.

Monday, April 9th

We all feel better with an iPhone in hand. Eli hadn't had anything to eat or drink since the previous Thursday...almost 5 days. The IV was keeping fluids in him. They told us to be careful reintroducing him to foods as we didn't want to rupture anything that had been sewn together inside him. But as soon as he could handle his bottle again we were on the road to recovery and a pink slip out of the hospital.


We gave him 2 oz of white grape juice in the middle of the day and he grabbed the bottle with vigor. He also screamed bloody murder when we made him wait 1/2 hour for the next 2 oz. Doctors orders.

Tuesday, April 10th


Oh what an amazing difference some actual fluids can do! Eli was able to have one IV and his epidural and catheter removed. Only one "tube" left! It was amazing to see him go from barely moving to smiling and playing so quickly.

The amount of love from family and friends was and still is the way our family didn't lose it completely. We will never be able to repay this generosity but will always, always appreciate it. Balloons are Eli's favorite too!


Rob stayed at home with his mom this night. Eli and I partied. He did so well with the fluids his final IV was taken out and he was moved completely to oral meds. If i ever see these eyes again when he's a teenager he's grounded...but this night I laughed with him. I didn't care that it was 3 am and he was bouncing off the walls.

Wednesday, April 11th

First bath in well over a week. And given by two of the kindest nurses in Portland


Eli received his first round of chemo at almost 10 PM at night. His "port" surgery was scheduled for the next Monday so this dose was given through IV. He hated it but was very tough.

Chemo

Thursday, April 12th


Word came at about 9 AM this morning that Eli was getting discharge papers! We were free to go home!!! This is the good boy helping take stuff out to the car in a hospital wagon.