SA

SA is for Staphylococcus aureus which has been confirmed as the bug causing the problems for Leo's Hickmann line so at least we now know what we're dealing with. Docs are not too concerned but concerned enough for Leo to stay in hospital in case the bug spreads quickly which it can do in cancer patients. Leo is currently still neutropenic (low white blood cell count and therefore unable to fight infection), and this weekend it should have started to recover in readiness for the next cycle of chemo.

I would say Leo's feeling semi-okay but not quite right; the bug could cause serious illness very quickly. He still has a runny nose and slight cough, which may sound like I am being a bit over-detailed and in a 'normal' 3 year old, the odd runny nose does not matter but in Leo, it could be the start of something serious.

The key thing now is that his white cell count improves in the next few days otherwise it could put the next set of IVA chemo back a bit and this is not what we want. It's crucial that for the chemo to be at its optimum, the protocol has to be delivered on time, as much as possible.

Leo's nurse today was Ken (who Leo insists on calling Freddy...because it makes Ken laugh) is just the nicest chap ever and he spent loads of time with us today explaining what can be done tomorrow if his white cell count is still below 1 (it was 0.22 today). So there are ways and means but we hope Leo's body will start to produce white cells on its own and in time for next Friday.

We saw Auntie Linda and my cousin Nicola today, and neither had seen Leo for a while. After a massive angry fit at lunch (that's Leo having the angry fit, not Linda or Nicola!!), he fell asleep in his buggy for 30 minutes or so which gave us all time to take a deep breath and chill...sort of. It's so amazing to know we have family around us at this time. PJ's aunt in Canada, the lovely Eve, emailed via the blog to say hello and touch base yesterday and we've also had an email today from Anne-Marie, another of my cousin's in Ireland. What would we have done before email and the net? I cannot even begin to imagine having to repeat everything which happens or doesn't happen every day over and over in phone calls to relatives and friends. I am pleased the blog has gone down well as it certainly helps to off-load at the end of the day.