June 28th - Week 15

I have to say I was somewhat looking forward to this week's treatment (well, last week's. . . I am a little late in posting about it).  I was excited to share with the nurses that I was able to get Kayla to take zofran and I was ready to start cutting some stuff out.  

On Wednesday, I got the normal reminder call about Kayla's appointment.  The one thing I was a little unsure about is that we were going to see another different doctor that we hadn't seen since she was in the hospital.  I just didn't know what this doctor would do or think or suggest.  They are all so different.  

About a half hour after my reminder call, I got another call telling me that they were going to have to change Kayla's appointment time and doctor.  So, we were going in a half hour later (totally fine with me) and we were going to see Marnie (the nurse practioner).  I was really glad about that change!  Especially since I had talked to her last week about trying to get Kayla to take zofran and then starting to cut out the steroid and extra fluids.  

So, Thursday morning, we did our usual thing and got to the clinic at 9:30AM.  Kayla insists on parking on the lowest level of the parking garage each week so we can walk up the stairs. . . which is fine. .  . but I am getting more and more pregnant each week . . . 

Anyway, we got there and had no problem accessing her port.  Usually, they have at least one extra person in the room besides the nurse who accesses her, to distract her with bubbles or books while they stick the needle in.  But, that day no one else was there and she still did great.  Each week she gets a token to get a prize from the treasure tower.  We are getting quite the collection of little bracelets. :)  

Another side note, Kayla's appetite that past week was huge!  She was eating twice as much breakfast, lunch and dinner and always hungry.  One of the side effects of the chemo is supposed to be a loss of appetite.  I am glad we haven't seen any of that.  When Kayla's vitals were taken, I asked the nurse how her weight was.  She gained a whole pound that week!  Everyone seems to think she is looking thinner, but I think she is just going through a growing up and thinning out phase.

So, when we met with Marnie, I told her of our success with zofran (in code, of course, I don't want Kayla to know just yet what I am doing).  Marnie told me that she would cut the dose of steroid in half this week and then next week she would cut it out completely.  Yay!  After that, they will start to cut out some of the extra fluids (that could be 2 hours or more cut off of our weekly visit!).  

Kayla's blood counts were good, so we went ahead with the treatment.  In the chemo suite, she had fun playing and making music with Miss Stephanie.  I think that is her favorite part of each week.  

There was a special treat this week.  There were two little miniature ponies outside between the hospital and clinic for the kids to go and see.  I felt really bad that we didn't bring Lily because she is REALLY into ponies right now.  She has read a whole bunch of the Pony Pals books lately and loves them.  (In fact, later when we got home and I told her about it, she teared up and was so sad that she missed it!)

Kayla isn't into animals much, so I couldn't get her to be in the picture, but look at those little pink shoes!  This pony wasn't any bigger than a large dog.    

Here is the other pony.  He was bigger.  Just a little. . .

For the rest of the time at the clinic we did coloring activities, ate lunch, practiced writing letters, and watched movies.  When we were all done, the nurse asked me if we wanted the second dose of zofran.  Kayla wouldn't be able to get it for another hour.  I was pretty confident that I could get her to take it at home, so we left!  

When we got home, I poured everyone a little cup of root beer and put zofran in Kayla's.  She drank it no problem.  Yay!  On Friday morning, she was fine until about 8 or 9AM and then came and told me she felt like she was going to throw up.  I asked her if she wanted some orange juice and she readily agreed. :)  I put some zofran in that and after the first sip she told me that she was already feeling better. :)  She drank the whole thing no problem.  

Two more things I forgot to mention.  One is that Kayla has this little wart on the bottom of her 4th toe.  I keep forgetting to show Marnie, or whatever doctor we were seeing until this week.  Marnie told me that she needs to have it taken off because it will spread quickly and become painful.  So, I need to make an appointment with a dermatologist soon (what's one more doctor's appointment anyway. . . ugh).  

Second, Kayla is due for another MRI.  She will be having one every three months.  The hospital had already scheduled it and I found out about it when we were scheduling the next week's treatment.  So, what we will do (this week, since it is Monday now) is go in for her MRI on Friday morning --we have to be at the hospital at 6:45AM--and after she is done with that we will go straight to the clinic for her treatment.  That is going to be a LONG day.  They will put her under for the MRI, so I am sure that she will be pretty tired for her chemo.  I think I will need a nap, too!  At least it is only one trip over to Boise.