Stem Cells

Firstly thank you so much to everyone who left prayers and well wishes for Finn and Jo in my collection it’s very special when people spend the time to show how much they care for this precious little bubba.

Finn had his stem cell transplant today. He has been in hospital all this week having chemo in preparation.

This is Finn getting his temperature and O2 stats taken. He’s so used to the whole hospital thing now he just sticks out his little finger for the nurse, no fuss at all. I keep telling Jo that he’s going to be the kid expert when they all get together and play doctors and nurses.

And here he is showing off his skills. Apparently he points the Whateveritis at Iggle Piggles eye and says “Ahh”

Finn is the most amazing kid I have ever met, nothing fazes him he just keeps going and going. He is the Eveready Bunny of childhood cancer and because he was doing so well and keeping fluids down even after all that chemo he was allowed precious family time over the Easter weekend. He’s admiring his brothers stunning Karate moves in the first photo and having cuddles on the trampoline with his oh so pretty big sister in the second.

So these are the stem cells, these are the little things that are going to save Finn. And I have to admit I have been so jittery the last couple of days and so stressed out today I keep wandering around the house aimlessly beginning tasks and completing nothing, and I’m just the friend. I can’t imagine how Jo feels. I don’t even know why I was so stressed about today, I know the next two weeks are going to be the worst. During that time the chemo he’s just had will still be in his system, destroying his bone barrow and making him feel very ill. But Stem Cell day just seems like such a millstone and I guess it is, it’s Finns new beginning. We have been warned to except something called mucositis where the lining of his mouth and throat just peal away, but so far Finn isn’t showing any signs of that which is great. Jo still breast feeds Finn which has helped him so much through all his treatment and even though he is feeling nauseous now he’s still attempting feeds from his mummy. One odd side effect of today’s treatment, caused by the preserving agent they put into the cells when they freeze them, is that Finn now smells really strongly of creamed corn, weird hey?   

Here is Finn all hooked up, Its amazing the amount of cords and attachments they can fit on a tiny body. Jo took this photo while he was cuddling up to her, that is why we’re looking at the back of his head. Jo has just been so incredible through all Finn’s treatments. People say Finn is a strong boy, well I know where he gets his strength from and I know I wouldn’t have been able to keep it together as well as she has. I find it hard enough just wondering how he is from a distance. And I’m determined not to be that annoying person who keeps ringing up demanding updates just because I feel useless on the outside, because I know how exhausting it must be living it, let alone retelling it all day long.

Sweet little sleepy boy. The tube is a nasal gastric tube it now gives Finn all his nutrients while he can’t eat. It really is amazing that this is the first time he’s needed one. 

Please keep Finn in your prayers and pass this request along to others. Please pray that these next two weeks will run as well as can be expected, that Finn and Jo will continue to cope while he is ill and Isolated and that ultimately the stem cells will do their job and Finn will come out of this a healthy and cancer free boy.

If you are new here and don’t know who Finn is I have mentioned him Here, Here, Here and Here and If you want to follow Finn’s story Jo updates her blog daily. Again, Thank you for your prayers.