Blog Against Cancer

Austin Howell Story

Justin was diagnosed with AML Leukemia on 5-5-08

He has always been a typical boy, full of energy and life. We started to notice he did not have the usual energy when he started to take naps everyday. He would have to be picked up from school atleast once maybe twice a week because he was sick at his tummy and throwing up. the pain in his legs was so bad it was hard for him to get upstairs to his room. After the third doctor visit I was told to take him down to Scottish Rite for some tests. The doctor said he may have pneumonia. His blood was at life threatning levels, he was white and his lips had no color. About three hours later a blood specialist came in and told us he had Leukemia. She said Leukemia is a cancer. I dont remember anything else she told us. So we were taken to the cancer center and put in a room where we would be for the next 4 weeks. They put a line in his chest so he could recieve his Chemotherapy and many medicines thru it without getting stuck with needles all the time. His spinal fliud had no cancer in it so that was a good thing. The Chemo made him very sick, it was so hard for him just to get to the bathroom. After the 10 days of Chemo thay told us he could go home when his blood counts got high enough to fight infection. Then he got Typhlitis (inflammation of the organs) and was put on more medicine and was unable to eat for 5 days. After they felt comfortable enough for him to go home we were out of there as soon as they said we could go.

We did get a 5 day break before starting the second round of Chemo. This time around was relatively easy compared to the first. He did not get as sick at his stomach and was up and around a lot more. The doctors did find that he had something in his lungs when it got close to time for him to go home. His medicines were changed around and he did get to go home for almost three weeks because chemo couldnt be started with his lungs not doing good. I did not complain though, we were glad to get a break. But Jesus healed his lungs and we ended up back in for round three before we knew it. He did get to go to a Braves game, Stone Mountain, and have some friends over. It was fun while it lasted. I wont lie, we were excited to see everybody back at the hospital too. Round three has just finished up and he felt great for about a week and the fevers came on again, he had Alpha Strep, so now he is fighting it like a champion to get rid of it! Round 3 was so hard on him, he was so sick for what seemed like forever.

9/1/08 About that infection, it cleared up and he got to go home for ten days before the start of round 4. Tomorrow is the last day of chemo this round. He is still feeling pretty good so far. There are blisters forming on his head. He is getting to have more nausea as usual. No fever so far. I brought his X-Box yesterday to keep him busy, I am hoping it will pass the time and keep his mind off what is going on. Lungs are clear, counts are dropping. It is like getting on a roller coaster and I can’t see what is around the corner but there is nothing I can do to stop it. We just have to hold on and ride it out.

9/25/08 Round four almost complete, we are still here in the hospital, he developed an absessed sore and it caused all kinds of issues for him. Surgery was done to drain the fliud from it on the19th. There has been pain pain and discomfort but overall this round was no too bad on him. He got one fever which tylenol handled and he has been hanging with his buddies playing video games. Hopefully home is in the near future!!!!

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