Thursday, October 25, 2007

"Cruckie"

After two days of driving to Baltimore and back, we have a day at home. Yesterday was a lot of logistics - running around Hopkins trying to find the right building. We push Henry in the stroller and he laughs when we go up and down the sidewalk curbs. He's starting to understand what we're doing in that he recognizes the hospital now and wants to go home. At night he wakes up saying "I want to go home" - during the day we've come to expect some tantrums, usually at little things, normally inconsequential.

A few months ago a friend of mine gave us one of those motorized kid trucks. Henry loves it. He called it 'Cruckie' (can't quite say his T's yet). Cruckie burned up batteries (quite expensive batteries) really fast - but yesterday I decided we needed to try again. Henry had a terrific time. He picked up the mail from the mail box and 'drove' his sister back from the bus stop. He laughed chasing some of the neighborhood kids around the street and going in tight circles, getting dizzy.

Henry's plan for treatment is shaping up to look like the following:



  • Monday - Surgery to put in his central line

  • Wednesday - Echocardiogram (heart sonogram) and Audio test (under sedation)

  • Thursday - Admission to the hospital (7 days) to begin chemotherapy.


Henry's chemotherapy regimen will be a 3 monthly cycles. We'll spend a week in the hospital for the administration of the therapy, then weekly checkups. We will give him some of the medicines at home, some of these medicines are simply for side effects. During the days following Henry's treatments, his white blood count will drop to zero then return. When it returns sufficiently we begin again. After two cycles of chemotherapy, we will have an MRI done to see how well its working. That's really all the further we're looking ahead right now.

Tomorrow we go for a second opinion from Dr. Roger Packer at Children's National Medical Center. We feel this is necessary for our peace of mind, but have been reassured by Dr. Packer that we are in good hands at Hopkins and that he likely will not give us a different recommendation. Because of the rarity of this cancer, the hospitals work together on a protocol of sorts in order to compare and improve results.

Henry should be home and alert for Halloween, despite his surgery. He has consistently said he wants to be a ghost. He's looking forward to dressing up and seeing his friends, not to mention the candy.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scheck family, I work with Rod in the construction dept at Lodgeworks and I want you to know that you are all constantly in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.

I know there isn't much we can do from here in Kansas but we are all here to support Rod and Linda.

God bless,
Julie Conrad

Anonymous said...

Hi Henry! THis is Madalyn from school. I'm sorry that you are sick. I miss you at school. I hope you liked my card. Love, Madalyn.

My name is Melissa and I'm Madalyn's mom. Our family is so sorry to hear about your situation. Our church and family will be praying for your family and that Henry will recover quickly.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Scheck family. I loved seeing Henry in Cruckie & reading about his fun. Thanks for sharing with us. All my love, Cousin Fran

Anonymous said...

HELLO TARA AND THE REST OF THE GANG:

HOPE U ALL HAD GOTTEN MY FIRST MESSAGE. I THINK OF U ALL THE TIME AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO U ALL.

LOVE SHELLY
OLD TSCHC EMPLOYEE

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone,

I love the picture of Henry and Cruckie!! I hear he's pretty good 3 point turns now. Please give him a big hug for me and good luck at Chilren's tomorrow.

all my love,

Shanda

Anonymous said...

Hi Henry.

My name is Ellie and I am Madalyn's cousin. I will say a special prayer for you every night. My Mommy and Daddy will do the same. God bless you Henry!

Love,
Ellie Kai

Anonymous said...

Tara, Bryan & Henry

It is so nice to see that lovely smile on little Henry's face. Lord knows, that smile has brighten everyone's day at TSCHC.

I pray for Gods safety and protection while you are on the road tomorrow. I pray that Dr. Packer gives you better news. And as always, I pray for a miracle.

Much Love and tender kisses, T.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the picture on Cruckie. It's good to see Henry feeling so happy.

Love, Granya

Anonymous said...

Hi Scheck family this is Linda (Shanda's mom) please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I know you are in a very difficult time but do not ever give up hope and faith

Anonymous said...

Tara, Henry and family,
Tri-State's 'supercoder' here. lol
Missing the infrequent calls from my favorite coding-conscientious doctor.
The prayer meeting organized at the Community Ctr. was moving and encouraging. God is good!
Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Bryan, I love the blog!
Vickie Q