Camden's appointment yesterday went well. I was worried about Camden having croup. It usually affects younger children. We were reminded that due to his bone marrow transplant, Cam's immunity has been wiped clean. Everything that he has been exposed to in his lifetime is now new to him. Croup is caught by coming into contact with 1 of 3 viruses. As an adult it presents as a cold, because the adult airway is so much larger than that of a child's...the swelling that occurs in the airway of a child impedes their ability to breathe.   So, despite Camden just celebrating his 6th birthday....his immune system is that of an 8 month old. (September transplant).

One of his urine markers was ever so slightly elevated. This is a (poor) indicator of relapse. BUT these are the same markers that are impacted by diet (hence this special diet we are trying to get a handle on). His oncologist is NOT concerned at this time. We did another urine test and we will have those results next Tuesday. If they continue to trend up, we have a problem.

Prayer request:

1. Camden recovers from croup.

2. Camden's urine markers remain in normal range.

3. Camden remains NED and this cancer never returns!!!!

4. Scans and bone marrow biopsies coming up in mid June....PERFECT RESULTS PLEASE!!!!

CHEMO COUNTDOWN!!!

Today is day 3 of 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(10:30 am) We have been home. Cam is resting and doing much better. We will have to venture out again for a clinic appointment back at CCMC later today. I was hoping the labs we had in the emergency room would have cancelled today's appointment, but perfectly understand and appreciate Camden's oncologist for wanting to see him. For the first time in 13 months I truly feel this episode is completely unrelated to neuroblastoma. Praying my intuition is correct. I hate you cancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh CCMC how we have missed you so....(not really)...but we are here in the emergency dept. We had a great long weekend, but in the world of oncology, things are never simple. Camden woke at 3:00 with difficulty breathing and "that" cough! He acquired a virus...which gave him croup (so we pray it is that simple). He had an epinephrine breathing treatment. We went for lung and throat xrays, which only showed the narrowing airway, associated with croup. He received steroids and we hope to be heading home soon. The prayers continue with increased intensity until our next set of body scans in a month. We were hoping our Sarah-Jo was here...we would have loved to see our favorite ED doctor!!!!!

Camden and family would like to thank each and every one of you for the loving birthday wishes! We are so thankful for each day and truly feel blessed! Thank you for your endless support! xoxo

Our handsome boy at clinic yesterday! Monday starts round 6 of 6! Prayers for nothing but health and happiness from here on out....

Sorry that it has been a few days since the last message from me.  Things are going well.  Camden's birthday is just around the corner...I cannot believe that he is going to be "6" years old.  I have been super busy trying to get activities for us for the July 19th party....HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!  It is coming along very nicely, we are EXTREMELY excited!  I have been in contact with Camden's school and he will be finishing off the last month of school with his class.  We are very excited for this as well.  I praise God that he has carried us to this point, where returning to normalcy feels like such a blessing.  Camden is on a BREAK from ALL medications.  It is absolutely crazy that he is not getting ANYTHING right now.  I am only doing his line care and dressing changes.  Next week starts ROUND 6 of 6 with chemo pills at home.  I cannot even express in words how thankful I am for the outcome of this past year and I pray that our future is very, very bright.  Camden was our miracle at birth and we are praying for a lifetime of miracles for this boy of ours.  We hope everyone has a great weekend! xoxo

Remember the mothers of sick childrenCOURTNEY SCHMIDT, PHARMD | PATIENT | MAY 11, 2014