12/06/2009
by Michael Wells
Chemo is an interesting word. The dictionary defines it as:
Chemo – a combining form with the meanings “chemical,” “chemically induced,” “chemistry,” used in formation of compound words: chemotherapy.
All I know is after today I understand why the word chemo is combined with the word “therapy.” After today, I am in need of some therapy to get my head together on this awful disease. You see, today I thought I’d be mister “nice guy,” a true “metro-sexual” who can be a parent who is capable of sharing an equal load with his spouse. Well, I could never do this on a day to day basis. Sherrie (at my insistence) stayed home and I was for the better part of the day on my own. Today was the day the evils of this chemotherapy process came bubbling to the surface with the wickedness of hell. Brady had a day which his medical team expects and one his Dad would soon care to forget and never repeat.
Three times today Brady he was covered with vomit and excrement, three times today his entire bedding had to be changed and as I write about today I am sadden to the point of tears. Of course Brady timed each of these events when I was alone; once just before his Grandparents arrived and almost immediately after they left. How Brady goes through these episodes and manages to continue to act as a sane, happy, playful toddler is truly amazing; for it is taking much effort on my part to keep an even rudder in this stormy sea and our voyage has just begun.
So, my words of wisdom are best described in the photo insert: AML with lymphoid markers or biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL) just sucks! I can’t write anything more descriptive than that. Brady is sleeping and hopefully he will sleep through the night. Sherrie is due to arrive before 10:00am to take over as I have a business meeting I have to attend. And as I say goodnight please continue to pray, hug and keep Brady and (tonight while I’m on my pity potty) me in your thoughts…
by Sherrie Wells Brady had a great day today with the exception of when Michael left for work. Brady kept screaming “Da-da” and cried his little lungs out. It was simply heart wrenching to watch. He played the rest of the day and was entertained when Grandmom and Grandpop came to see him. Brady went for several rides in his red wagon around the oncology floor. This gave me the opportunity to decorate his room for the holidays. I tried to make it as festive as I could, considering it’s still a hospital room. He has a small tree with lights and bows. The ornaments look like glass but are made of paper. I am asking the employees to each write a message on an ornament of their choice and then to find a place to hang it on his tree. I also hung a wreath and some garland that lights up. Everything has an ice blue and silver theme, something I always wanted to try. His door has a scene of snow people with a beautiful winter theme. It is definitely geared to a one year old with many animals all dressed in winter clothes and wearing ice skates! Oh, let’s not forget the three stockings hanging on our chimney, oops, I mean hanging in our closet door. I can’t wait for Michael to come “home” from work tonight to see the amazing transformation! Well, my baby just woke up from his nap and it’s time for eye drops, temperature check, and blood pressure monitoring. As always, please keep Brady in your thoughts and prayers. And tonight, hugs from Brady to you…. PS Sherrie has made our room the “Disney” of the floor and everyone is stopping by to do the ooh & aah thing. She’s a quite a remarkable woman. Michael’s comments…
“8 Years Later—Still No Cure for Pediatric Cancer” is a series of posts revisiting the journal kept by Sherrie and Michael Wells during the cancer diagnosis and treatment of their son, Brady Michael. Hopefully these entires will provide an understanding of the journey families face when dealing with these horrific diseases and of the important work the Hugs for Brady Foundation does.