Porcupine Toes

Yesterday marked the end of this steroid rotation. With that comes the inevitable next day of withdrawal-type behavior. Today was that "next day." Last night provided an added side effect that we haven't seen for awhile from the Vincristine chemo. Gideon came in from outside and said that a "porcupine needle" got through his shoe and was poking every toe at once. He was walking funny and since he was so tired (napless days, these), he just collapsed on the floor crying "OW! Ow! Ow!" while holding his toes in his little fists until they looked like bright red cherries. I put as many bandaids on his toes as I could, and usually that gets his mind off of pain. It didn't work this time. He OWIED through the night and sometime around 2:45 a.m. he said the porcupine was getting his leg, too. This is a nervous system side effect to the drug.

Newer cancer families: MAKE CLOTH ICE PACKS! Tom's mom made them from the material given to us by the Jenkins family, and they came to the rescue once again last night. I cannot tell you how much I treasure those rice and popcorn frozen compresses. I wrapped Gideon's feet in those after massaging them throughout the "OWs" that peppered the silence of our dark room last night. He finally drifted to sleep, though...thanks to those ICE PACKS.

In my giddiness of tired moments, I sang this song to Gideon. I think I got the words right from how I sang it to him again and again and again to try to make the prickly feeling a little more sing-songy and less scary. I know that when I (still, I admit) wake up in any kind of discomfort, I get panicky and wonder where I am and what's wrong since I am drifting between dreaming and reality. The song served as our bridge last night between those two states of consciousness. Everytime I sang it, I added or changed a verse. I think it's still a work in progress. It is sung to Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly," only the name is now "Prickly." Fitting? Yes.

"Prickly"
(guitar playing... voice: "Will you count my band-aids?")
I've been awake for awhile now
you've got me sayin' things like "OW" now
cause every time I try to step or pace
I get the tingles in a silly place

It starts in my toes
and I crinkle my nose
wherever it goes, I always know
that you make me wince
please go away right now
just take your leave
I want you to go

The rain is fallin' on my window pane
and we are ice packing those tooties now
under covers feelin' prickly pins
you give me cringes that I abhor

It starts in my toes
make me crinkle my nose
wherever it goes, I always know
that you make me wince
please go away right now
just take your leave
I want you to go

What am I gonna say
when you make me feel this way
I just.......owwwwwwwwwwwww

It starts in my toes
makes me crinkle my nose
wherever it goes, I always know
that you make me wince
please go away right now
just take your leave
I want you to go

I've been asleep for a while now
You tucked me in just like a child now
Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth

It starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my toes
The owies go
Cause you make me smile
Mommy, just take your time now
Holdin' me tight

Bye, PRICKLY! Bye, OWIES! Bye PAIN, you go!
Bye PRICKLY! Bye OWIES! Bye PAIN, you go!


I am just thankful this one didn't last too long into the morning. He is walking better now, and it drove me to Little Chicks today for a new pair of shoes for our little guy. He needed them, and I am just thankful this uncomfortable sensation subsided. So, let's encase those precious toes in some killer kicks! :)