This morning, Tuesday August 21st, I was told that I cannot eat or drink for whole day as they were taking me into the surgery. So the last time I ate for at 10 pm last night and nothing after that until 12:45 pm when the surgeons thought they might be able to take me in for surgery.

I was put into the pre-anesthesia room with the IVs and the blood transfusion. I waited and waited and waited until 3:30 pm in that room, hungry, crying for food. They tried to help to get distracted with the Legos, puzzles and mazes.

Finally I was being moved to the OR and I could see that my mom was very nervous. I told her don’t worry, I will be just fine. Surgeon and the other doctors and nurses were fun, trying to make jokes to relax me. They first gave me the “Giggle Juice” and then put me to sleep so that they can do the procedures.

I had to take help from my mom to write the names of the procedure –

1. Bone Biopsy and Aspiration
2. Lumbar Puncture with Intrathecal chemotherapy
3. Central Port placement for Chemotherapy.

It took 2 hours in OR and then another 1 hour in the recovery room and by that time it was 8 PM without any food in my belly. I was so sleepy and so much pain everywhere. I could not move by myself and my mom and the nurse helped me move. I tried to eat some food but threw up in few minutes. Man! It was not a good feeling. It was not a very fun day and now it was going to be tough night too with so much pain and vomiting feeling. Somehow I managed to sleep.

So my first morning in the hospital started with as usual early morning blood work, then comes the EKG guy and then the ECHO guy with the big machine. I knew at that time that something is going on with me that is pretty serious.

I was just talking to my mom and trying to tell her that not to worry, everything is going to be fine. I somehow said that as long as it is not cancer then I am okay. My mom teared up at that very moment and said the scariest thing that Leukemia is a Cancer. I got shocked and scared for few minutes but then when my mom said that it is just a disease which can be fixed, I felt better. I could still see the sadness in her eyes. We talked little bit about how our life is going to change but we will beat it together.

Later in the morning, my parents decided to transfer me to another hospital which is supposed to be the best in the world or at least USA. Its name is Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOPS). We reached there by early evening and met a new doctor who then examined me and again took some blood out for more testing. They then admitted me into this huge hospital. My room was nice with the good view to the street and to another hospital’s cafeteria. My mom stayed with me and Dad went home to my younger brother who I miss so much. It was a rough day but we did get through it with sad and not so sad moments.

 

Hello all, this is Arjun Jain. On August 19, 2018 I’ve been diagnosed with Leukemia and admitted in the hospital.

I am Arjun Jain – Hockey Player & a Fighter…

The journey begins on August 19th morning, when I was ready to play my Hockey game. It was 10:00 AM on Sunday morning I was ready with all of my Hockey gear, and ready to jump in the rink for face off. I was getting briefed by my Coach in the locker room and suddenly my Dad rushed-in, worried, and talking to my Coach in low voice. Next thing I heard from my Dad “Arjun we need to leave because our Doctor called to report to the Hospital immediately”. I was upset and sad for not being able to play my game. I took off all my gear and sat in the car with an angry mood to drive back to hospital.

We reached to the ER at St. Peters Hospital NJ. After initial check-in, I was taken into the room where team of Doctors started measuring all my vitals and drawing the blood for testing. My Mom & Dad were puzzled about what is happening and why so much rush ? Resident Doctor said that she will explain but please let her finish all examination.

After around an hour, Doctor took my Mom and Dad out of the room to discuss. After long 20 mins, when they came back into my room, Mom’s eyes were red with sad face. I asked “What happened ?“. She said ” I banged my foot on the door, and it made me cry due to lot of pain”. That’s when I sensed something not right but Mom won’t say anything to me – because she is the best Mom of the world.

Thereafter, Doctor moved me to Pediatrics floor to get admitted BUT continue drawing my blood for testing. This time I got very angry and said “What is going on?” After discussing with Doctor my Mom explained “There are some suspicion that you may have Leukemia” hiding her wet eyes.

“Humm…Leukemia – Ok!  So what ? Tell me what we need to do to handle this” I said. My Mom was surprised how calmly I responded. She explained that it’s long journey of medial treatment and I may have to stay in the hospital for longer duration, plus there will be restrictions in my day to day activities. I said to my Mom – “I am not scared of this and work hard with Doctors to be back in the Rink as soon as possible, because – I am Hockey player and a fighter…”