Christmas Update

Hey Guys,
Sorry for the lapse in chat... been getting calls and text asking if everything is ok, cause we haven't posted anything.  All is great.  We got out of hospital last Wednesday instead of Thursday as Logan finished his chemo in the afternoon and was reacting badly to smells. We literally raced out of the hospital at 5pm, to try and outrun the smell of the food coming down the hallways.  Poor Logan! He nearly didn't make it, but once out in the fresh air he was good.  He was glad to be home.
The next day, however, was a bad one for Logan.  He could not keep any food down, (but credit to him, that did not stop him trying!) and he was constantly in pain with stomach cramps. These eased off on Christmas Eve, making Christmas day fabulous for all of us.
Christmas Eve was another day for change.  Logan, Alex, and Evan shaved their heads.  Logan was beginning to look like he did when he was a babe... hair on top, with gaps all around the edges from his head rubbing on the pillow!
He looks awesome now, and has got the nickname - ANG - the last air bender

The reason? when we shaved his head he was left with a faint brown line down the middle of his head.  We initially thought it was a birth mark, then realised that it was a suntan line!!!!!

So Logan just needs the arrow down the front and he's away. 

Christmas day was relaxed.  We spent the day with Evan's family this year. His parents came across from T.A., and his sister and her four came up from Nelson. (James the eldest even shaved his head - bless him). The sun shone, the birds sang, the adults drank, and the kids had a great day.  

Anyhow, this Friday (yes, New Years Eve) we go back in the morning for blood tests and then if they are all good, we head back in afternoon for our usual 6 day sleepover and the jungle juice starts pouring in from 6am on Saturday morning.  If not, they will either do a blood transfusion again, or we wait....

Thanks to everyone who has been texting, visiting and phoning over the break.  Logan has loved catching up with ya'll.

So Merry Christmas to everyone, and if we don't see ya, Happy New Year too.

We are enjoying everyday, just living and loving,

Stay well,

Tracy and whanau

We're out of here!

Yay! Convinced the extra amazing Dr Michael to let us out of here.  We are heading off at 5pm (on the dot) so that Logan doesn't have to smell dinner.  It makes him do green things.  He is particularly sensitive to smells - not tastes.  But is also vulnerable to people talking about food.  Lost his breakfast before he even had it this morning, then ate 4 peices of toast.  Had beef noodles for lunch (which stunk to me) and then settled down for a nap.  The sound of the dinner trolley sets him off.  They have prescribed a mild pill to relax him.  But having said this, all he talks about is the things he is going to eat when he gets home... like a cooked breakfast, Dad's lasagne, hot chilli sauce, english muffins... all kinds of random foods.  So far the booze is safe... I think!

Had to post the pic below.  Nobody usually gets to see this except me and the nurses... Logan is so cute when he sleeps.

3 MORE SLEEPS TILL SANTA COMES!!!!!!!

Youth Group drops in...

from left Steph, Logan, Rachel, Tamrin, and Eliza in front - nothing like a bunch of good looking girls to make you smile...

WELL MY HAIR MIGHT BE THINNING AND I MIGHT BE HATING THE SMELL OF FOOD NOW, BUT YOU MUST ADMIT... THE COMPANY IS STILL PRETTY DAMN GOOD!

Day 4...

Another shaky start to the day, but a bit of laughter always gets you through the tough bits.  Logan appears to find my singing hilarious - I thought it would be comforting! Oh well... We both got to sleep in this morning, and Logan took a wee while to summon up the courage to eat breaky but it all went well.  Our day nurse, Donna, is fabulous.  She got him joking and laughing, as did Dr Jameson.  I don't know how his family survives, he never seems to say a sane thing!

Logan and I managed to snap a rare pic of Donna (our nurse)...
she often puts the bubbles into Logan's day and we are always thankful to see her smiling face.

It was awesome to see Lynette and the kids with Nana last night (forgot to take a photo, bugger!).  They have grown so much.  And as kids will, they were not afraid to ask the hard questions. Nothing like a bunch of South Islanders bringing up a bit of southern comfort (so to speak).
Logan is beginning to tire more at the moment, so we are tending to keep visits short, and trying to make sure that he has a nap between 1 and 3pm.  Please keep texting him or I if you are coming, just in case we already have a full house, or incase he is asleep.
We have hassled the nurses and doctors heaps, and are hoping (if Logan behaves himself) to go home after our  treatment on Wednesday. He is beginning to get a severe case of cabin fever!
Love and hugs....
till we chat again
Tracy

p.s. forgot to say, Logan's chemo today is EXACTLY the same colour (and yes we compared them) as Franks Sparkling Tangy Blood Orange juice. . . which is hilarious as it went in his line at the same time as he was drinking the drink! The child is weird!

DAY 3...

(BACK) ALEXANDER, SASCHA (FRONT) YURIKA AND ALISTAIR

SOME OF THE BAKING BROUGHT IN BY HANNAH AND EMILY

HANNAH, EMILY AND HELEN MUST THINK THAT HOSPITAL FOOD SUCKS CAUSE THEY BROUGHT US BOX LOADS OF FABULOUS BAKING!!!!!

Logan started today a bit shaky but soon got back on his feet.  A call for more drugs to help curtail the side effects was all he needed.  His bloods are all normal and that nasty methotrexate is well and truly out of his system already.  He is enjoying all the little goodies that you are bringing in (as am I).  He is putting on weight nicely (as am I). We are both counting down the days till Christmas and it is hard not to get excited at the thought of being home with family at this time.  If all goes well, we will head home on Thursday, or Friday at the latest. Logan and I are looking forward to seeing Aunty Lynette (Evan's sister) and her children who are coming up this year to spend time with us and Nana and Grandad.  Great to see ya today Nicki, Ocean, and the Arai-Swale family.  Just heard that Helen, Emily and Hannah are on their way up as well so had better get off this and make ourselves beautiful.

See ya'll soon!
Tracy and Logan

CRAZY VISITORS

ROSE AND LOGAN... WHO IS THE PATIENT EXACTLY?

DAN (back), JESSE, LOGAN AND ROSE - SMILES ALL DAY LONG

LIAM AND LOGAN ACTING THE FOOL!

Thanks to everyone who visits cause you make Logan's day go so much faster.  One day down and four to go!

Back for round 2...

I know that a lot of you will be disappointed, but as Logan is sleeping peacefully, I am going to write this entry.  We arrived last night on the lovely ward 25, and after sweet-talking the nurses, Logan had us moved to a room with a shared toilet (YAY!).  Thanks also to Charlotte who is plying the nurses with her home-baking.  They love it and it always pays to keep the nurses happy.  Logan slept comfortably on his lovely ergonomically designed bed, whilst every one of my bones seemed to find the hard floor through the mattress on which I was lying.  As I write this, Logan has already had the first chemo of the day, and is 1/3 of the way through the heavy duty monster! They spend today poisoning him with this methatrixate and then over the next four days will be trying to get it out of his system!  I tell you, it's kill or cure up here! Tis a very fine line they walk.
Logan is beginning to look even more like his Dad these days as his hair begins to thin (sorry Evan).  But I have been informed, that when Logan decides to shave the lot off, then Evan and Alex will be joining him.  If anyone else out there wants to come along and make the sacrifice let us know.  We are gonna stick a picture up on the blog of their shiny noggins.  There is nothing quite as sexy as a bald head!
Finally, with Christmas fast approaching, please keep those texts and blog posts coming.  They keep Logan afloat. A 15yr old without a social life is unheard of so don't let him get bored.  God knows what trouble he will get into.

Merry Christmas all of you
Keep well and give your family and friends hugs every day

Logan and Sasha - a regular visitor

Love always


Tracy and family