We had another clinic visit today. It went pretty well. I was concerned about Serenity’s port site because I had noticed it was puffier than normal, and that she had an accompanying swollen area on her back. The nurse practitioner who examined her said it was most likely fat that had accumulated in that area due to the steroids. You can kind of see what I mean in this photo:
See how the left side of her chest appears swollen?
Serenity’s lab results came back and her numbers were good. She has continued to build up white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets over the past week. She did not have to have any chemotherapy through her port today, so our stay in the oncology clinic was shorter than in previous weeks. She still has thrush, so I was able to convince the doctor to prescribe me more diflucan. I took two pills last week, and Serenity has been on nystatin for a couple of weeks. I wish the nasty stuff would go away; it makes nursing so difficult.
After the oncology clinic, we headed downstairs to the Rapid Treatment Unit, where her spinal tap and bone marrow aspirate were to be performed. They let us carry her back and hold her while they pushed something into her port line, which made her fall asleep almost immediately. I always hate seeing her like that. Once she fell asleep they put a breathing mask over her face and we left the room. I went to pick up the prescriptions – almost $800 for 3 drugs! – and Phil went to the cafeteria to get us something to eat.
It was probably about 45 minutes until they came and told us that Serenity was waking up. I love being at a children’s hospital! The first thing the nurse asked me was if I wanted to nurse her. It helped to settle her down. She was groggy and probably in some pain, and just not a happy camper.
We waited a bit for her to wake up and then it was time to go home. It didn’t take long for Serenity to perk up and tell us she was hungry. (She can’t have anything to eat on the mornings of her procedures because of the anesthetic.)
Today was the last day of our first month of chemotherapy, referred to as Induction. I was under the impression that we were going to monthly visits rather than weekly, but that’s not correct. Next week we start the second phase of chemotherapy, referred to as the Consolidation phase. We will still be going in weekly. For the first three weeks she will continue to have general anesthesia and receive intrathecal chemotherapy (it will be injected into her spinal column). She won’t have to take any steroids this month, but she will start getting oral chemotherapy at home.
We were able to get all of our questions answered about her treatment protocol, the clinical study (which was closed, so we are not a part of it), and what to expect for the next month. This will be a rough month just like last month, especially with so many lumbar punctures, but it’s my hope that she will be better able to weather it without being on the steroids.
I’m so happy her counts are up! I had a dream I met you, Adria, last night. Of course it was weird b/c all my dreams are, but I cried on *your* shoulder and then asked you how the appointment had gone…In my dream you had blonde hair.
That picture of Serenity with the Chex Mix is just darling!! And wow at the beads she has collected on her necklace – poor baby, she has already been through so much. Congratulations on passing the Induction phase! I pray that each day becomes easier and easier for you all. ((HUGS))
Just wanted to say that we’re praying for the next phase to go smoothly… AND Kennedy wore that SAME dress today! LOL
Just wanted you to know that our family has been praying that these last few days of June will be long and wonderful!! We’ve also been praying that when the next round of chemo comes it will not be near as hard.