Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sunday: March 30, 2014

The Jewell family has had one busy week. Cooper had his eye doctor appointment Monday. We love his doctor! He was amazing with Cooper and told us he would forever be in his prayers. We didn't really find anything out that we didn't already know. However, we do have to take Cooper to UVA to see a neuro- ophthalmologist. The doctor wants us to start patching his good eye and see if we notice any vision from his poor eye. He told us he'd like us to try 2 hours a day. We got 10 minutes and it was nothing but a major melt-down!

I had a snow day Tuesday and Randy got off work early. We spent the morning at school, lunch eating Mexican, and afternoon relaxing at home.

Wednesday was our Chemo day. Cooper had PT/Speech/OT that morning. He of course loved the pool. He said two new words for us during speech: he pointed to the ceiling and said light. Then he made the "bak, bak" noise for a chicken. When we got to the hospital we had our usual "picnic" in our room: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grapes, and string cheese. Our Wednesday picnics have become something I look forward to each week and one of my new favorite memories. Chemo was hard. I hate seeing him go through this every week. Once he was accessed and they started his medicines, he slept. That afternoon he walked up the steps all on his own, not once, not twice, but TEN times! That was 150 stairs for that little boy. I bought him a trampoline and he loved jumping on it.

Thursday was a very scary day for us. Randy and I went to work as usual. I got a call saying he felt very warm, was extremely fussy, and short of breath. Randy rushed home to discover a 102 degree temperature. We knew that if his fever was 100.5 or greater we had a very short amount of time to get to the hospital. Randy called the doctor and he said to take him straight to Roanoke. He picked me up at school and we rushed there. They started an antibiotic that stays in the system for 24 hours and checked his blood. They were able to get his fever down to 99.1 degrees. They told us that if his blood levels came back 500 or below we would be admitted. After what seemed like forever, they told us his level was 2200 and we were free to go home! We were so thankful.

Cooper had a good day Friday. He worked hard for the therapist and was in a good mood. We also had a good weekend. He has been coughing a lot and running a low fever. He has been resting a lot more, which is probably what his body needs. We have reached the point of no-eating. It's so sad. He will take a bite of anything you give him, but then spits it out - a sure sign things aren't tasting right. However, through everything he stays so happy.

Our prayer for this week would be that Cooper is able to get over his cough and is able to eat something! Thanks to everyone who keeps him in your daily prayers.

Eating a pop tart at chick-fil-a after his eye appointment

 
He must have really wanted that peanut butter


Bath time in the sink!
 


Snow day at school with Mommy and Daddy
 



 
Working hard during therapy


Using the stairs during therapy
 

 
Cooper didn't care about the camera, he wanted in the pool!

 
In the waiting room waiting on Chemo


Cuddle time during Chemo
 


He loves this plunger!
 

 
Cooper was so proud of himself after climbing all those steps!


Going Up!
 

 
Getting his antibiotics to get his fever down

 
A lunch of Froot Loops


Eating PB and J sandwich and a banana after being released from the hospital
 

 
He loves books as much as Mommy

 
Getting some OT in during bath time: shaving cream!

 
This was so funny. Cooper watched himself (in the mirror) drink his entire juice cup!

 
Sweet Baby Boy

 
I love this: he feel asleep while "rocking" with Dad

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sunday: March 23, 2014

We are proud to announce that Cooper is walking! He had PT on Friday morning. The therapist said, "it won't be long until Cooper is walking on his own, he's ready." Later that afternoon he did it. He is able to take about 8 steps without falling. He is doing so well and continues to make amazing progress.

Chemo was Wednesday and considering, it was okay. Of course he didn't like being accessed, but was able to sleep once Chemo started. He actually slept through the entire treatment, a blood pressure reading, temperature check, and getting de-accessed. So far, it doesn't seem to us that the Chemo has affected Cooper much. His appetite is not as good as it used to be, but he's still eating fairly well. He's taking longer naps and has only thrown up once. However, for the most part he seems very happy and full of energy.

Cooper has an appointment tomorrow with an eye specialist. We aren't really sure what to expect from this visit. I'm very nervous. If you would please just take a moment to say a prayer that all goes well and we receive some good/promising news.

Thanks to everyone who continues to pray for Cooper.

Cooper was excited Mommy had a snow day on Monday!

 
Cooper has learned how to pout

 
Using two hands! Yay Lefty!


Using two hands to climb the stairs
 


We used both hands to paint
 

 
Both hands on cup!


The paintings on the left were done with his left hand only
 

 
Pool Time



 
 Loving the swing
 

Chemo cuddle time
 

 
Treated out to Macado's after Chemo
 

 
Duck Pond


He wanted the ducks so bad!
 


He chased them everywhere
 


 
Using both hands to play with beans

 
So cute


Another gift from Citrus Lane
 


Love him!
 


Sunday, March 16, 2014

Sunday: March 16, 2014

I don't even know where to begin. Cooper had his Chemo Wednesday, and considering, all went well. I took the day off and went with him. His pool therapy was awesome. He works so hard and moves his left hand so much in the water. Chemo was ok, after he was accessed and "hooked" up. He rested on my lap and was happy afterwards. So far, he has not been sick from this treatment. His appetite is still good and he has been in a great mood. Let's pray this continues.

Cooper has been using "lefty" a lot lately. When we say "lefty" he raises his left arm/hand and shows us. He is brushing his teeth, checking the mail, turning off light switches, and giving high fives with it. One day this week he picked up a medicine dropper from a cup and put it to his mouth! He was also trying to get in his music box and couldn't keep the lid open. He got so upset, Daddy told him to use lefty and he did! Cooper has come such a long ways.

Cooper's speech has also improved a lot. He isn't saying two-word phrases yet, but he has picked up so many new words and is constantly mocking us. He is also "singing" to the radio when in the car. He knows most all of his body parts and is always asking us to "rock" in the big chair or "bounce" on his ball. He loves to tell us and himself "no" when he isn't suppose to do something.

We have been so thankful for this warm weather. We were able to go for several walks and Cooper got to play outside with his cousin. We also spent an afternoon feeding the ducks at the duck pond. We are blessed!

Cooper kissing his penguin

 
He loves to color


"Rocking" while drinking his juice
 

 
Playing in the dirt with cousin Keyan


Waiting on some Sushi!
 




 
Look at that smile!
 
 
He got his favorite dinner after Chemo: Beefaroni!


We also treated him to a Blizzard from the DQ after Chemo
 


Enjoying the warm weather at the Duck Pond
 


Cooper receiving his Chemo treatment
 

 
Daddy and Cooper after Chemo


 
Oh how this kid loves bananas


Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!
 

 
This is my favorite!