7:00AM Griffin has to get up and ready. Today is his first outpatient follow up visit to the doctor at the Children's Memorial Hospital. There is no breakfast in the morning because he has to refrain from eating. His doctors orders are to be NPO. This stands for "Nil Per Os" in Latin, translated "nothing by mouth". Since Griffin's procedure is in the morning he is not allowed anything to eat or drink, due to the fact that he has a higher chance of aspirating during the procedure. This particular morning he does take his crushed decadron medication mixed with a little of liquid. He has to take this through a syringe that his mom has to administer. And believe me he is not agreeable for anything this morning.
7:30Am Griffin is strapped into his car seat for the 15 mile ride to Children's Memorial Hospital. The ride is slow and arduous due to the fact that the Edens Expressway is under construction and only 2 out of 3 lanes are open. Not to mention the fact that rush hour traffic is in full throttle.
8:37AM Griffin and Gretchen take the elevator to the 4Th floor clinic/same day hospital waiting area. Griffin is seven minutes late for his appointment with the Nurse Practitioner Maureen who will take a short history and physical exam. Gretchen and Griffin wait with other parents and their kids in the cramped waiting room. It is here that Griffin is given a packet of coloring pages and a small box of crayons to keep him occupied.
During this part of the day Maureen has to go over the procedures for the day with Gretchen and evaluate the progress of Griffin's health since he has been at home. At this time his vital signs, height, and weight are recorded. After all is said and done Griffin gets to pick a toy out of the 'treasure' box.
9:15AM Griffin and Gretchen are back in the waiting room.
9:20AM Griffin and Gretchen are called into another room off of the waiting area where the blood tests are drawn from the PICC line that resides in Griffin's right arm. At this time a second nurse is also on hand to help assist with the blood draw and keep Griffin occupied while he screams and cries to his mommy(who is holding Griffin) to get him away and out from this room. Additional teaching and information is exchanged between the nurse and Gretchen regarding the maintenance of the PICC line. Griffin receives a sticker. After the blood is drawn, Griffin and Gretchen are back in the waiting room. There are more families present so space is tight, but a empty seats are found side-by-side.
9:30AM Griffin and Gretchen are led down to the 2nd floor procedure suite. Maureen (NP) was able to squeeze Griffin in for a 10:30AM appointment. Original procedure time was 1PM. It is here that Griffin and Gretchen meet the nurses and anesthesiologists who will be present during the procedure and also in the recovery room. More questions are asked about Griffin's history, more vital signs are taken, and Griffin is suppose to get into a gown (but he does not want to). Griffin receives a nebulizing treatment prior to the procedure and a calming medication of versed is given. The versed medication is suppose to help Griffin relax due to the fact that every change in his environment is a disruption in his personal space. (For example, Griffin does not want to change in a hospital gown. He does not want to get out of the stroller. He does not want the television at a level that is closer for him to see. He does not want to take off his socks. He does not want mommy to sit down. He dose not want the doctors or nurses to touch him. He does not want to be at the hospital.) Was this medication for Griffin? or for the benefit of the medical staff? I would say both considering what needs to be done is still too much for Griffin to understand. The medical staff do not want to cause more stress for the patient and yet have to do their job.
10:25AM Griffin is cranky and tired and refuses to watch the personal television set. Griffin miraculously follows his nurse to the procedure room with out a tantrum. (Is the versed kicking in?) Keep in mind this is the only time in the day that Griffin has not cried when asked to do something. Up until this time Griffin has not been agreeable and uncooperative. (C'mon he is 29 months old people, how do you think he should act?). Gretchen waits for Griffin in the patient lounge waiting area down the hall from the procedure/operating room.
11:25AM Gretchen is called back into the recovery room area where Griffin is found very uncooperative. (Let's recap. Griffin has not eaten since dinner. He has had a sip of juice with his medication, woken up from his slumber in the early morning. He arrives at the hospital where his arms legs and chest have been poked, prodded, and assessed. He wakes in a strange room full of strangers after a procedure that causes pain to his right hip and back. He is not able to leave the recovery area for a short time because the nurse has to fully assess his progress after the procedure). By the way, two procedures were performed at the same time, a bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap. No blood transfusion is needed at this time(that would have taken 3-4 hours).
12PM Gretchen and Griffin are allowed to leave the recovery area and go home but not before having to proceed to the garage in the rain to get back in the car.
12:45PM Griffin and Gretchen are back at home and getting ready for lunch. Surprisingly, Griffin eats like he has never seen food.
2PM Griffin pads down to nap for a couple of hours.
4:30Pm Griffin and Gretchen eat dinner.
6PM Griffin takes more medications. And reads a whole basketful of books.
7PM Griffin gets ready for bed.
Throughout the day Griffin's mood is up and then down, which can be caused from the decadron. Griffin is exhibiting high need behaviors one minute then agreeable and sweet-as-pie the next. Almost every answer to questions is "NO" and then sometimes he will be agreeable and does what is asked. Griffin may not communicate with words all the time and he does not fully understand why he has to do some things. Continue to pray for Griffin and his family. The whole family is now under one roof. Getting along with the schedule? Yes in some sorts. Please continue to leave your comments for Gretchen and Jon.
Decadron also called Dexamethasone has many uses in the treatment of cancer. This medication is classified as a glucocorticosteroid and plays an important role in the treatment of Leukemia. There are a list of side effects that can be caused by taking the medication. The first few side effects include, increased appetite, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. 
There are times when Griffin eats with so much gusto that you want to say to the guy, "Hey don't forget to breathe." I know it sounds too extreme to comment this way, but it's true. When Grif sees food, he wants it and he wants it now. Do you know any kids that like salad? Fresh fruit and vegetables are not on the list of foods of many kids. And these foods are Griffin's list of 'Foods to avoid.'One excuse comes to mind when you see a reaction like this; it must be the medication. 
When Griffin does not get to have the food he wants and sees he gets mad. Not just crying mad, like kicking and screaming mad. It must be the medication. And when he is up late crying for no particular reason and he just wants mommy or papa to hold him, then it must be the medication. The decadron is scheduled to end this week. 
Jon and Gretchen are determined to get through all of 'this.' And another hurdle will take place on Wednesday May 28, Griffin is scheduled to have port-a-cath placed. A small device placed under the skin. It empties into a blood vessel and makes it easier to give chemotherapy and to take blood for tests. He will be in the hospital for same day procedures and he will be given anesthesia. Please continue to pray for Griffin and his family.
