Brody is back in hospital for another round of Ifosfamide, MESNA, and Etoposide (another 6 day round)

Brody had a followup appointment yesterday to check labs.   His blood counts came back high enough that he could do chemo again.   So he came in this morning to start another 6 day course of Ifosfamide,  MESNA and Etoposide.   He also had a CT scan today.   Doc says scan shows tumor is slightly smaller than last scan.   The plan at this point is to have Brody keep getting the 6days of Ifosfamide,  MESNA and Etoposide (actually it's 5 days of the drugs and the 6th day is just another day of IV fluids).  So as long as Brody continues to bounce back ok and the tumor continues to respond to treatment,  Brody will be admitted to hospital for this same chemo every other Friday through Wednesday.  

Brody is handling his chemo pretty good today.   Had some nausea this morning before chemo even started,  then nausea with drinking the contrast drink preparing for the CT scan and then vomited once after the chemo started late this afternoon.   He has been feeling pretty good ever since then though.  He has been eating this evening and keeping his choices down ok.   He's been having a lot of diarrhea since the chemo started but fortunately not any painful stomach cramping along with it.   So anyhow,  as far as chemo goes,  he's handling pretty well so far.  

Brody is having more and more difficulty walking.   His foot drop is back and he is turning his foot and leg out to the side more and more to walk and he often complains his left leg hurts when he walks and he will hop on his right leg sometimes to avoid using his left leg when it hurts.   I spoke with Brody's physical therapist a couple weeks ago and the pediatric neurologist he saw previously.   They both came by to check in on him today and discussed plans for helping Brody be better able to use his left leg.   They plan to cast Brody's left leg again on either Monday or Tuesday.   Despite the issues Brody has with his left leg,  it is not slowing him down too much.   Kids just find a way to adapt and move on to the business of having fun.   It's inspiring to see Brody and so many other kids in here,  just adapt and go on about enjoying life despite all the hurdles they have thrown at them.