Well...Today was a big day for Cora. It was her first day of preschool and also she was scheduled at 10:30 for a lumbar puncture and chemo at the clinic. I really hated for her to miss her first day of preschool so I took her for one hour. She had so much fun. She loves her teachers and wasn't ready to go yet when I arrived to pick her up. Little did I know what was about to come. Sometime over the course of the last few months Cora has apparently decided she is D-O-N-E with clinic and treatment and all that goes with it. Pretty much upon entry she began to throw THE LARGEST TANTRUM IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD! I'll spare you the details because I'm not sure I can stand to relive it, but it lasted about 45 minutes complete with throwing up and hyperventilating. She was absolutely inconsolable and it only ended with sedation! Yes...it was that big that they went ahead and sedated her as quickly as they could (not before mama reached the point of tears). Her hemoglobin and platelets were normal, but her white count was low which made her ANC around 650. During the maintenance phase of chemo the doctors like to keep it around 1500. So Dr. G reduced her dosage of nightly oral meds and wants to check her again in 2 weeks.
So...today was her first day of school and her last for at least 2 weeks. We're really bummed that she can't start school and ballet as planned. She was so excited for both, but we know she needs a strong enough immune system to keep her well. We're hoping a low white count can also be credited as the cause for some of this extreme grumpiness lately. As her mom I am forever struggling with how to be the best, compassionate, yet firm mom to her in these moments of complete insanity. I am once again reminded of how lucky we are to have her and have her on the road to wellness. Please pray for her counts as her little body tries to find a way to adjust itself to all the medication she takes (and my sanity in the meantime). We are back to CONTINUAL handwashing, steroids, and the degerming routine upon Cade's arrival from school.
Today just basically reminded me exactly why we are raising $$ this month for CURE, because WE HATE LEUKEMIA! We can't wait until the day when there's a vaccine against it or an oral dosage of something to cure it or some sort of quick treatment! We'll fight it if we have to, but we'll also continue to work for a CURE so that others don't have to!
3 comments:
sweet mandy...sweet cora:) praying for all of you--you are the perfect momma for that little girl. you're doing a great job!
I have written on your post before. . I taught at the school Dr. Palmer was at before she moved to GA and to SCPS. I have been praying for Cora and these next two weeks I will be lifting her and you up even more. I will specifically be praying for Cora to not have a fit in two weeks and that she will be able to start school and ballet in two weeks. I will be praying for you that you will know how to be the best mom to Cora as she needs you.
Blessings,
Amy
Mandy,
You really are an inspiration. I can only imagine how difficult things can be. Just know you are not alone and that you really are the best mom for Cora and although she may not express it to you regularly, she knows it and loves you for it. Hang in there!
I can't even pretend to know the extent of what you are going through but I CAN understand the tamtrums. I flew to Evansville by myself the last time with Tessa and swore I never would do it again. As the stewardess was asking everyone around me if they were okay (as Tessa was screaming and had been for two hours straight) I literally broke down into tears. It is so exhausting, physically and mentally. That I know. Just take comfort in the fact that you have one headstrong little girl which will payoff later in her life!
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