Jan 6, 2013 Update

Alex is about half way through his radiation treatments.  He has managed to avoid getting any infections thus far and let's hope he continues on this path.  His blood counts are low enough that he had to have a blood transfusion on Friday.  He was not at a particularly dangerous level but they like the numbers to be above a certain point to maximize the effect of the radiation.  The transfusion was not a big deal.  He did great and it only took a couple hours.  He actually didn't want to leave the hospital because he could order whatever he wanted from room service.  They have put him back on a low dose of the steroid because he started to get headaches and nausea, which can result after coming off the steroid or could be from swelling at the tumor site.  This has gotten better since going back on the steroid.  They have also changed the radiation treatment.  Previously they had been treating the whole brain and spinal cord and now they have switched it to focus on just the tumor areas.  Alex and James got to go see a special screening of The Hobbit on Saturday with the Hope Kids Foundation.  This was a lot of fun.  Alex remains in good sprits through everything.  His energy is low most of the time but he continues to make us laugh.