Lazy Summer Days

Well, not too much new going on here this week. Last week Cora went to clinic for chemo and did great. The five steroid days following it were AWFUL!!!! But we're trying to be positive and know that we only have to do steroids for 17 more months. Ok so it's a lot! But it's only five days a month. She doesn't have to go back to the clinic until September 1st (which is supposed to be her first day of preschool.) I'm really sweating this whole preschool thing. She'll only go 3 mornings a week from 9-12 to Isle of Hope Methodist which is in our neighborhood. She is super excited about it and I think she will love it. Here's the catch. There are other kids there who have noses that will sometimes be snotty, and fingers that they will put in their mouths and then on the toys, and germs that will float around the room as they cough, sneeze, and talk. I know this is normal and found at all schools, but if Cora catches anything that causes a fever above 101, she's admitted to the hospital for observation. Her counts are within normal range and Dr. Johnston has actually really encourages us to take her, but nonetheless, we are nervous! Then to throw a whole new kink into things my sister is doing her clinicals at one of the hospitals in town and a doctor told her the other day that she saw her first 6 year old come in with the swine flu. Our understanding is that this is just a very contagious form of a regular flu, but it's here in our town and we DO NOT want Cade or Cora to catch it!!! That wouldn't be good at all for Cora. So.........here's where we stand (not sure why I'm blogging all this, I guess just to talk it our for myself) Cade starts school tomorrow. We're gonna see how the first few weeks go, talk to the doctors again, get him a flu shot,(Cora can't get one), and see if this swine flu thing progresses around town. Cora won't start school until after she finishes her round of steroids the first week of September and we may keep her out until the flu settles down if it's an issue. No one ever ever tells you about these sticky decisions you have to make as a parent. We're just keeping in mind, preschool would be great for Cora, but it isn't crucial! Her health is!
I've included a few pictures of Cora's new favorite past time, dressing up. She changes ball gowns like 100 times a day. I can't keep regular clothes on her. Many times we are even instructed to call her "Ariel" or "Cinderella" or whoever the character of the day may be!