Happy Birthday Xander

¡Woo Hoo!
Xander is 10

♥ Happy Birthday Xander ♥

Xander loves to eat yummy food

Mom's heart ice with aloe and vitamin E

We are excited that today is the last day of chemo before the transplant tomorrow! That is as great of a birthday present as Xander could ask for. We continue to pray and send positive energy to the donor - wherever he may be.

Today is transplant day -1 and day +5 of chemotherapy. Today, Xander is getting the "one big dose" of chemo that will induce apoptosis of all of his bone marrow in addition to continued chemo agents that suppress his immune system. Melphalan's side effect profile includes severe GI mucositis and nasty mouth sores. Xander has been consuming huge amounts of glutamine over the past two weeks to preemptively reduce the mucositis caused by melphalan. To reduce the nasty mouth sores, ice must remain in Xander's mouth from 30 minutes prior to 60 minutes post melphalan. Emilie made awesome ice with aloe and vitamin E in every one. Fortunately, the delivery of melphalan will only take 60 minutes - meaning that he must keep ice in his mouth for two and a half hours.

Xander has received birthday wishes from family, friends, and strangers all across the world. Thanks to FaceTime and Skype Xander has been in contact with family in California, Florida and even his aunt on vacation in The Outer Banks of North Carolina. Emilie even decorated the room (very quietly) at two this morning in order to surprise Xander. Our heart felt thanks to go out to everyone that has done something to made this birthday special - bless you!

For those of you that remember, last year, Emilie and I told Xander that he could change his name to "Xavier Super Salsitz" if he made it to his tenth birthday. So… starting today, Xander can either be called Xavier or Super! Before we file the paperwork, Xander I mean Xavier has agreed to "try on" his new name for awhile.

Tonight is Xanderfest at the NeutralZone.  Xander (obviously) will not be able to go, but Emilie and I have made arrangements to be there and open a video chat between the sites so Xander can see what is going on and vise-versa. We are not sure how he will feel, so we have allowed Xander to control the amount of time he spends chatting.

We expect the primary nasty effects of the chemo agents thiotepa and melphalan (alkalyzing agents responsible for killing bone marrow) to begin over next few days. His blood pressure has already started to increase and he has started to slough off skin cells in the bath. Thank you for keeping Xander in your prayers.

TRANSPLANT TOMORROW NIGHT!

Love,

A


Facebook - Xander's Journey