Masthead header
Owen's Story bio picture

  • Hello, and thanks for joining me on my journey.

    This is Owen. He is a 3 1/2 year old boy who is loving, energetic and loves to have fun. He was diagnosed with Leukemia on November 18, 2012. This is his story.

Owen’s Leukemia – Days 136-138

Sunday, April 7, 2013 Posted in Good Days

What a beautiful weekend in Pittsburgh.  We spent as much time as we could outdoors.  It makes us all feel so much better!  Owen felt pretty good all weekend.  This morning he complained that his heart was beating fast again.  It seemed a little fast, but we couldn’t tell exactly with the stethoscope.  It really shouldn’t be doing this especially since they increased his heart medicine on Tuesday.  I am not sure what is going on… he was also pretty lethargic today.  He would get a short boost of energy, then he would kinda mope around.  He wanted to go to bed at 6 pm tonight and we had to push him to wait until 7:30.  Jeff and I were wondering if it was the medicines, or just being worn out from a busy weekend of playing?  We’re just going to keep track of his behavior and see what happens.

Have a great week everyone!

Here is a picture of Owen and Jeff just before going down the slide on Saturday.

by evanshou

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Owen’s Leukemia – Day 135

Thursday, April 4, 2013 Posted in Good Days

He was feeling pretty good today!  He was ready to go outside early this morning since the sun was shining.  I had to keep him busy to let it warm up a little out there first.  We went out after they both took a little nap and had a blast.  We played in the driveway, then went for a walk around the neighborhood which ended up in the playground.  Owen even got a special treat of playing with the neighbors when they got home from school!!  He was not ready to come in, but as I was making dinner, he fell asleep on Jeff while watching tv.  I guess all that fresh air tired him out.

by evanshou

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
Jenn StonerApril 5, 2013 - 9:06 am

So happy to see Owen feeling well, smiling and enjoying a sunny day at the playground!

Owen’s Leukemia – Day 134

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Posted in Chemo,Hospital

I was really not looking forward to getting Owen to the hospital today, but he did pretty good.  He put up fights each step of the way, but didn’t completely resist.  I think it is so much easier when we go in to the clinic… he knows the nurses, he knows his Doctor it is just a better experience.

Since he had the allergic reaction to the PEG last week, he is going to have to get 6 doses of Erwinia starting on Monday.  The standard of care, which is how it was done prior to the PEG, was to do the Erwinia via a shot into the leg muscle.  In Europe and Canada they deliver it through the vein, but the FDA has not approved this method in the US.  Our hospital is participating in a study to try to get it approved to do the IV method and we have that option.  I originally thought that was going to be the best option, since that is how he is used to getting medicine and it seemed to just make sense.  Today we found out that since it is a study, they need to do extra blood work 5 minutes prior and 5 minutes after giving the dose, and they can’t do the draw through the same location.  So, he would have to have his port accessed, plus get an IV in his arm.  He would also have to have two additional EKG’s throughout the study.  After hearing all of this, we are thinking that maybe a shot in the leg will be the easier alternative.

He got his chemo today and seems ok tonight.  No appetite, but feeling alright.  Hope he gets a good nights sleep.

by evanshou

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Owen’s Leukemia – Day 133

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Posted in Bad Days,Hospital

Well, we spent pretty much the whole day in the ED (Emergency Department).  Owen’s heart went into SVT again this morning, but this time I couldn’t get him out of it.  I had him do all of the things they tell you to do, headstand, blowing through straws/bubbles/candles, coughing, ice bath on his face and nothing worked.   He went into it around 9 or so then headed to the hospital around 11.  Of course, something happened between the time we left and the time we got into the ED and he got out of it.  They still wanted to check a bunch of things since this is the second time within a couple of days and it shouldn’t be happening since he is on his heart medicine.

They did bloodwork to check his electrolytes, then more bloodwork later to check the level of his heart medicine, an X-Ray, EKG, and ECHO all of his heart.  Seems like he was through so much today… and none of it was done without him putting up a fight.  Finally, around 5:30 we were discharged.  They ended up increasing the dosage of his heart medicine so hopefully that keeps him from going into these episodes.

All that, and we have to go back for his chemo tomorrow afternoon.  I do not know how I am going to get him there, or how they are going to access his port.  I know it isn’t going to be easy.  He is in good spirits now that we are home.  He has a ton of energy, since all he did was lay in a hospital bed all day.

by evanshou

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
DianeApril 2, 2013 - 9:29 pm

Oh Owen… I am so sorry you had such a scary day. Sending positive vibes for tomorrow. xxoo

ValApril 2, 2013 - 9:49 pm

Poor guy! Glad to hear he finally came out of it. I will be praying that tomorrow goes smoothly. Hugs!

Kendra CApril 3, 2013 - 12:01 am

So sorry! Praying you guys have a smooth day tomorrow! Xoxo

Owen’s Leukemia – Day 132

Monday, April 1, 2013 Posted in Good Days

Happy Monday!  Owen was pretty excited for me to go to the dentist this morning, as that meant that Miss Jessica got to come over and play.  He had so much fun and didn’t want her to leave.

Today was also opening day for the Pirates, so we spent a lot of time playing ball.  He loved watching them play and was excited to see they were re-playing the game again tonight in case anyone didn’t see the earlier game.  They didn’t win, but that didn’t really matter to him.  He just loves to watch them play.  He had a really good nap this afternoon, which was much needed after the busy Easter weekend.  It gave me some good one-on-one time with Logan which he enjoyed too.

This picture is pretty much un-touched…  his eyes are just that blue.

by evanshou

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
DoreenApril 1, 2013 - 10:03 pm

Cute! I like his necklace too.

shirleyApril 2, 2013 - 10:13 pm

What a cute smile.love him…..