Gotta Love Popsicles!

OUR ROAD TO CURE BEGINS

Theofani, Eleni, and Kosta arrived at Comer Children's Hospital Friday morning. Theofanis had an 11:30am operation scheduled to have a bone marrow biopsy performed on both sides of his pelvis and have a central line installed close to his heart to receive his chemotherapy. He did very well throughout the morning and Dr. Liu spoke to us before and after the operation and reported that the installation went perfectly.

After the operation, Theofani was sent into the recovery room and we went to see him there. He was groggy but soon was back to himself and requested a Popsicle from the very nice nurse. It was a double Popsicle -- orange. The pineapple flavor that Theofani asked for was not available.  We were very honored to have Nouna Evy come by and visit. She made Theofani feel much better by her being there for him (and Mom and Dad, too). One more Popsicle was ordered and this time it was a cherry double Popsicle. The nurse marveled at how he could eat two whole Popsicles. "Four," Theofani responded, as he pointed out each had two. We then knew he was truly coming out of it.

THE SPOT

Soon enough we were transported to our room where we will be staying for the first cycle of chemotherapy. We are on the sixth floor at Comer's and our room has a lot of space, a pull out twin bed and big chair for Mom and Dad and a nice flat screen TV.

It was an uneasy and surreal feeling entering the room for the first time. A part of us understood this is what is necessary to get better and get cured and a part of us wanted to turn around and run out of here. Theo sensed the tension and with the post-operative pain from the chest he started to cry. Then we all cried and promised him he would get better. When he saw Kosta crying, Theo suddenly stopped. The nurse brought him some pain reliever and he felt a bit better. We then ordered him some lunch, albeit a little late, and he felt much better.

He began his chemotherapy treatments at 5pm. The chemotherapy nurse administered the two drugs, one after another, for thirty minutes each. The first drug was Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and the second was Topotecan. Theofanis sat calmly in his bed and played with his iPad the entire time. No issues or allergic reaction at all today, which is good.

We all ate dinner afterward and watched over our son as did the nurses and doctors here at the hospital.

We are very blessed to have such a beautiful and intelligent and polite little boy. He cried once yesterday, but Eleni and Kosta can not count the number of times they cried yesterday and Kosta is still upset with himself for losing his composure and doing so in front of his son.

Theofani has all of his icons by his side.

WITH LOVE AND PRAYER HE WILL WIN

Saturday the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates Saints Constantine and Helen, many times referred to as equal to the Apostles for having the courage as Romans to search for the Holy Cross and build churches for the early Christians and legalize Christianity. Kosta and Eleni seek to achieve that same courage each and every day for not only Theofanis, but Demetra and Sophia and the rest of the extended family.

Father Andrew visited us Saturday morning to say a prayer for Theofani and brought some Holy Unction.  He also brought a couple of cups of coffee for Mom and Dad on their Names' Day. Hronia Polla to all Constantines, Constantinas, and Elenis!

Dr. Cohn later stopped by with her team and told Theo how great he looks. She seemed pleased.  Saturday afternoon Theo will have his second day of chemotherapy.

We are taking this all one day at a time. Thank you to you all for your continuing love and prayers. With all this, Theo will win!