Aidan's Journey

Aidan's journey began on Monday, Dec 3rd 2007 when we received a phone call that came so unexpectedly. After leaving work, we received a panicked phone call from the Kaiser Peds staff saying that at that moment his blood panels had come back from a check up that morning and Aidan was critically anemic. Do not stop for anything-dinner, clothes, nada. Drive directly to the ER and check right in. The blood tests he had taken earlier that day revealed that every part of his blood test-hemoglobin, white and red cells etc were critically low and further tests needed to be done asap. Hours later he was given two units of blood and platelets. The next morning tests confirmed our worst fears. Aidan's blood was full of cancer as he was diagnosed Tuesday night with Leukemia (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).

Sunday, May 25, 2008

The Longest Month Ever

Hi All, This is Bridgett as Aimee has no internet access. Sorry it's been so long for an update, but when we say Aidan's "Journey" we meant it. Well, Aidan did finish his last chemo beautifully on April 26 & went home the next day. He returned 3 days later for platelets, had a bad reaction to them & was admitted to the hospital. Luckily, he was released the next day....only to spike a fever 2 days later. He has been in the hospital since then which was Sat. May 3rd. Thankfully, Nana was here helping and keepimg spirits lifted. Aidan LOVES his Nana and misses his Papa dearly!!! They treated him for a strep infection with 7-8 different antibiotics but after 9 days his fever still wouldn't break, plus he started having extreme pain in his arms. By Sunday, Mothers Day, (not knowing how sick Aidan would be, poor Nana was on her way back to South Carolina crying her way through airports) meanwhile the worried doctors did some xrays where they found some "cloudiness" in his lungs. Dr. Ruki is so fantastic....she had him immediately ambulanced to Kaiser Sunset (L.A.) to the ICU while he was stable. She did this to air on the side of caution since she was going out of town. The doctors at Sunset started Aidan on a different cocktail & tried his favorite shot in his IV instead of his legs. (the Dr's thought the pain in his arms might be the strep infection spreading to his extremities...thankfully it looks like it was the shot causing the pain so they changed it to an IV injection) The pain in his arms diminished by Tuesday & he strarted perking up. I forgot to mention how very nauseous he's been due to all the medications. So Aimee finally got him to eat a little something (first thing since he was home on May 2nd). He was released from ICU & put in a regular room on Wed. May 14th. The cloudy lungs were clearing, they completed the antibiotics while his counts climbed the charts....yeah!!! He was finally sent home on Monday the 20th.

Tuesday was a new day....he felt great, even requested sushi....their favorite :-) But....that night by 10:00 he spiked yet another fever. Did I mention this was called Aidan's Journey? Maybe we should call this Aidans Adventure!! Aimee took him back to the hospital in Anaheim but Dr Ruki was still out of town so Aidan got to take yet another ride in the ambulance to Sunset. Oh yeah.. this took place at the most convenient time of 4 am. When Aimee refers to "hospital time" she ain't kiddin'.

On Tuesday morning Aimee's very sweet Granmda Lucille peacefully passed away at Mission Hospital. As Susan said, she was 91 years young and had her daughters nearby. She was very loved and will be greatly missed. Aimee says now she can be with the Lord and plead Aidan's case up there. God Bless sweet, sweet Lucille!!

Today is Sunday & Aidan still has a fever and is still experiencing quite a bit of nausea. He had a migraine yesterday & was rightfully very cranky. After eating some food though, he perked up and his migraine subsided. The antibiotics have to run for at least 7 days...so no word as to when he can come home. Not to mention, they still can't figure out why he has a fever. Nothing growing which is good....but a mystery none the less.

Please continue to pray for Aidan and for Aimee. Aidan is such a brave soul. I had the most wonderful time taking care of him while Aimee was sick. He is very good company....great conversationalist. (And wow, what a deep thinker!) He has the ability to have you in tears one minute and then laughing histerically the next. Aimee is just a true champion...her strength and abilities are absolutely amazing to me. What a great example she continues to be and the greatest friend anyone could ask for. Tito is also such a great support, he is the rock that keeps this family grounded. Thanks for taking such good care of everyone!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aidan,

Corey & Bryson want you to know that they miss you terribly!!!! They are DYING to see you as soon as you feel better. Can you please make that real soon, cause they are bugging the heck out of me!!

I love you so much....please come home soon so we can start planning a fun summer!

Love,
Bridge & your brothas

Anonymous said...

Hi Aidan,
My name is Jilly. You don't know me. I live in Arizona. I am a Girl Scout. I am sorry you are so sick. It must be tough being sick. I hope you feel better someday.

Anonymous said...

hi aidan its your vegas cousins. we just want u to know how much we love you and we can't wait until you're better so we can come visit you. we love you very much

love,
jessica, xavie, alyssa, and marissa
p.s. if anybody has it in with him it would be grandma lucille

Anonymous said...

We miss you here at R.H. Dana! Stay strong buddy!

Anonymous said...

Aidan,

All the Shaheen's here in Pullman are praying for you! May the mighty hands of the Lord surround you and your family! We love you all, and you will continue to stay in our thoughts and prayers.
Everyone sends lots of hugs your way!
-Annamarie-
PS. Aimee, thank you so much for your beautiful note you sent me. It meant a lot.

Anonymous said...

Dear Aidan and Aimee,
Missing you and Tito so much! But thrilled that you have been home for 2 weeks now --- playing, relaxing, eating good, shopping, and all of that other "normal" stuff we all take for granted.
We love you immensely and can't wait to see all of that dark beautiful hair you just grew!
Love, Nana, Papa and Uncle Nick