In the meantime , Ashley had his first round of Cisplatin, and Etopiside. This was given int he form of 4 hours pre hydration, followed by 4 hours of iv eptopiside, followed by 24 hours of cisplatin, the was repeated 2 more times, tottally 3 doses in one session.
Ashley remained in high spirits throughout the chemotherpay , though he was very annoyed having to be contected for 4 days, during the course of chemotherapy we had a visit from Elaine at the Thomas ball childrens cancer fund, It was ovely to see Elaine again, she very kindly came bearing a huge lego set for Ashley that put a huge grin on his face and really brightened his mood, it also was the encouragment he needed to move, the previous day Ashley was having to use a wheelchair to get about.
Somehow over night there had been a dramatic change in Ashley his pain was alot less and he was up and walking again, i had to reframe myself from bursting out in tears and hugging him ( thats not cool for a 7 year old boy lol) wether it was the chemotherapy working , the morphine being at the right level or as i like to think the power of lego and happiness, Ashley was feeling alot brighter.
Chemo went without a hitch and Ashley was discharged on the friday, due to bone marrow diease and the chemotherapy Ashleys blood count was at a low level so he needed a few top ups during the week.
we had 3 weeks at home, and Ashley went from strength to stregth i weaned him of the morphine and he was no longer in any pain.
We decided as a boost for Ashley we would go to Lego land for the weekend before he started his next round of chemotherapy, we had a brilliant time as we split the park over 2 days we managed to do all the park, rides and Ashley didn't get to tired, on the Sunday we were joined by Ashley's Gran-dad and family and his friend Jack from hospital. It was lovely to get away even if it was only for one night, to spend time as a family and it not all being about Ashley having cancer.
Back to relaity though on the monday Ashley started his second course of cisplaitn and eptopiside , Ashley consultant was very pleased with the change in Ashley and that he was no longer in pain or needing morphine, Ashley spent his days by spending time with the school teacher, art therapist, play therapist and music teacher. on the wedsnesday the Be child cancer aware campaign had arranged for some very special visitors, Ashley was visited by 2 storm troopers from the 501st garrison, Ashleys face was a picture when the 2 storm troopers entered his room. we had a great afternoon with them, they visited the other children on the ward and they spent some time chating with Ashley.
Beofre coming home on friday we met with Ashley consultant, she told us the good news that Ashley could have upto 4 more rounds of the present cehmotherapy as he seems to be having a positive response, Ashley is booked in for a ct scan, kidney function test, full body mibg scan over the time before his next round of chemotherapy.
we are trying to arrange a surprise trip to Euro-Disney for 3 days before the next round of chemotherapy, sadly this is proving more difficult than we expected. due to Ashley's condition and being on treatment getting insurance cover is virtually impossible and the cover that we may be able to get will cost as much as the holiday. this is one of the reasons we have started this fund so we do not have to worry about Ashley missing out because we don't have the finances freely available .
