This Saturday is Serenity’s 1 year survival anniversary! I’m planning on doing a couple special posts for that day.
For her last clinic visit of her 1st year (which was last week) we took tons of pictures of her going through the Clinic process. Keep in mind that last year when she first started going everything was horrible and it was nearly impossible to get her to do anything. Now she goes through the routine pretty much on her own! We’re so happy for her for how well she’s doing! We know it could be much worse (as it is with some of our good friends we’ve made since being diagnosed) for her and we’re very grateful that we haven’t had major issues – not sure how we’ve gotten by without any MAJOR hitches so far.
So, with no further adieu and without anymore waiting:
Crashing out on the hour drive to the Hospital.
In front of the hospital with Mom
Outside the Hemo-Onc Clinic door
Making crafts while we wait for our room (they have several GREAT volunteers that sit in the waiting room and entertain the kids)
Starting the check-in guantlet run – getting measured…
Getting weighed….
Blood Pressure….
Picking out a toy…
Finally in our room! Now the fun begins…
Getting stickers made from her admin bracelet – since day one she has always had them make her extra stickers, she puts them on her shirt.
Getting prepped for port access…
Accessed, getting blood draws…
Getting chemo through her port…
Her AWESOME Oncologist, Dr. Fluchel comes to visit and do her checkup.
Then it’s downstairs to the RTU to visit her favorite Nurse, Dahlia, who always showers her with stickers, toys, tattoos and whatever else she can find – we LOVE Dahlia!
Waking up from anesthesia and having a Lumbar Puncture done…. NOT fun.
Pretty much recovered thanks to the help of Cheetos and Gatorade! Now it’s time to go home after a 5 hour day at the hospital!
She checked out great at her visit, excellent blood counts and growing well!
I’m glad you did this post. People don’t really know what happens when you go. But you should have added a few more of you just sitting in the room waiting, waiting, and doing more waiting for the counts to come back.
You all look great and have come so far. Congrats to Serenity on her one year mark.
Lol! Thanks, good point! It does make it seem like it just kind of goes. Maybe time stamps would have helped 🙂
*cringing at the photo of her car seat straps*
wow. a year. she sure is a champ – i can’t believe how much calmer she seems than when she started out. thanks for the update – we love you guys!
What a special little girl on such a big journey. Congrats on the one year mark!
Wow. So glad you updated with this post. Serenity is looking so great and I am so happy for her and your entire family. She (and you all) are absolutely amazing! Congrats on 1 year!
Thanks Alisha, Stephanie and Bunnie – we appreciate the love and support!
Yay! I can’t wait for the one year posts, such a blessing!
GREAT POST…I may steal it. : )
People have no idea what the process is like. It is so strange to see another family go through our exact process.
Looks like a good facility. We have no toys (unless you get a procedure) or child’s life people.
Thanks for sharing.
That makes me sad to hear, Dirty Mouth Mama. (What a great idea for a service project someone!)
The Child Life people at our hospital have been so wonderful to Serenity.
That was so fun to see all of the familiar faces we have grown to know and love at clinic! Dahlia is our favorite too! It’s bittersweet watching them so used to being cancer kids, we too remember all too well the awful beginning months of a strange new world. I’m so glad everything is going well and Serenity looks GREAT!
Thanks for this post. It made me cry. What a brave little girl you have! She is precious and I am so glad to hear you have so many good people and doctors to help you along this rough process. You all are such special people!
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of months now… and am so happy for Serenity. She looks amazing! YAY YAY YAY for a year with good news at the end!