Camryn amazes me! We are starting to get the hang of these once a week hospital visits. She isn't old enough to understand time or conceive how long 2+ years of treatment is, but today I think she is finally grasping the idea that this is our new life. Today, as I was putting her down for a nap she said "Mommy do we have to go back to the hospital again tomorrow?" I told her no, but we have to go back in 6 days. She sighed and said "THEN will we be done going to the hospital?" - No we will have to go back many, many times to get that yucky leukemia out of your body. I explained it was going to be a long time until we'd be "all done" going to the hospital. I could see in her eyes that she understood. I could see she felt disappointment and sadness. It broke my heart. I gave her a hug, said it would be OK and told her how sorry I was. I will never forget the look in her eyes as she took both of my cheeks in her hands, looked me right in the eyes and said "Mommy, its going to be OK.. I promise Ill be good and brave, we will go together and it will be sorta, kinda, a little bit fun". I was so proud of her! How easy it would be to cry, kick, scream and throw a tantrum. I know thats what I'd want to do. I am learning so much from this little spirit, every day she inspires me to be stronger. Its a little ironic, as the parent Im supposed to be the strong one, but somehow, she's usually the one comforting me and telling me its going to be OK.
Cami did amazing at clinic today. We started the consolidation phase which will last for 28 days. She got Vincristine and didn't even flinch when they poked that needle into her port. She had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and even though she didn't want to go to see "the sleep doctors" (what 4 year old wants to take a "nap"?) She walked into that little OR giggling and teasing the Dr's. Seriously, she is one tough cookie. Before we left we stopped by the pharmacy to pick up her Mercaptopurine (chemo pills) which she will take tonight.
Clinic stats:
Height: 106.4
Weight: 19.1 kg (42 lbs.) She has lost almost 6 pounds since being off the steroids!
ANC: 2.1 (2100- this is gooooood!
Happy to be done!!!
Napping after a long day:
she is so brave!!! glad you are onto the next phase.
ReplyDeleteHer strength absolutely amazes me! She inspires me! You inspire me! I wish that I could reach out and hug you both and say thank you. Thank you for sharing your story with us as it teaches us all so much! I don't even know your family yet I find myself checking your blog frequently to see how she is doing. That sweet Cami is here to teach us all valuable lessons. She is beautiful! I have been finding, especially with my daughter who has had many medical conditions, that the strongest and biggest spirits come in these small bodies. You are just the mom that Cami needs!
ReplyDeleteI love this post....Cami is the most STRONGEST, BRAVEST, TOUGHEST little girl I have ever met! GOSH I LOVE HER more then words can say!!!!! Now being a mom....I cant even begin to think how HARD it would be to watch your daughter go through all of this and watch every min. of it, do all that you do and get through each day still with a smile on your face. CHEL....You are the most BRAVEST,STRONGEST,TOUGHEST MOMMY I will ever meet. I LOVE YOU and am SOOOOOOOO LUCKY to have YOU as my sister! I LOVE YOU TOO! Im so glad you guys got through that first rough month and its on to the sec. part.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave little girl! (and Mommy too!!) So glad you guys are on to the next phase....you guys are in our prayers every day! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow Chelsea! You have an amazing little girl. So strong and so brave. You've got to be a proud momma! You are also strong, I think I would be kicking and scream, but your not, and you will be stronger everyday from not throwing a fit. Thank you for continuing to be an example. I love you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI really love to read your posts. You are an inspiring woman.
ReplyDeleteI will Pray for you and your Family!!! It amazes me how strong your baby is being if it was an adult we would be all depreesed and sad!! I am so sorry that you all have to go thru this and all the other families that are going thru the same thing....I am glad that i came upon this page and you are a very strong woman and you and your husband are blessed to have that wonderful little person in your lives
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