Let's get you up-to-date...
Most of you know Ellie had to get a blood transfusion last week because her Hgb (hemoglobin) had dropped, but that was expected. She rebounded great after the transfusion and was back to her energetic self by later that evening. She was also neutropenic for a few days and wore a mask anytime we were outside of our apartment. By the beginning of this week all of those numbers had significant turnaround and the only number we were watching was her platelet count. By Wed that number had also started making its turnaround as well, AMEN!
She had an eye appointment last week which went as expected. She has an issue with looking up with her eyes, something that is consistent with the hydrocephalus she had at the beginning of all of this. She continues to do really well in all of her therapy sessions and her doctors always have new ways of trying to challenge her.
Playground time with Mawmaw and Aunt Kimmie while the weather was nice!
Ellie is currently on day 23 of her chemo cycle and has been getting doses of Vinblastine every few days. She'll get two more doses, one on Friday and one on Sunday. At that point she'll be done with her first cycle of chemo, three more to go!!
We start cycle 2 this upcoming Wed the 17th. She'll probably be admitted the night before to start fluids and then she'll start her chemo on Wed. We'll probably be in the hospital for about 5 days to let the meds clear.
We start cycle 2 this upcoming Wed the 17th. She'll probably be admitted the night before to start fluids and then she'll start her chemo on Wed. We'll probably be in the hospital for about 5 days to let the meds clear.
Ellie- Pink and Proud!
This is where we hideout when we have time between appointments. We sneak up to the second floor to do some dancing and play with the puppets.
It's finally happening.
Ellie is starting to lose her hair.
I glanced at her brush after brushing her hair one morning and noticed a pretty good amount of hair. At the moment I tried to convince myself that it was probably already there. I ran my hands through her hair easily and caught a few pieces. I tried to do the math in my head to match up the date with the timeframe the doctors gave that her hair would probably start coming out. They said 10-14 days, this was day 14... probably just a coincidence right? As much as I tried I knew that wasn't true.
I really wanted to believe that Ellie wasn't going to be like the normal cancer patient, at least as far as her hair. After all she has handled her chemo meds better than anyone expected, she's scored beyond her age in just about all tests she's had.. that means she probably wouldn't lose her hair right? That would be too normal and that couldn't be Ellie. She's not normal...
My denial is well over now. Now that I clean her hairbrush after every time I brush it. Now that I have to watch when she eats to keep hair off of her plate or out of her mouth. Every time that I take her hair clip out of her hair it takes a few strands with it and when I take her off the potty I have to wipe her hair off of the seat. Her hair will soon be gone.
Carly broke the news to Noah sometime ago that Ellie would lose her hair. At first it seemed as he would take it with a grain of salt just as he has most other things. But lately it's upset him quite a bit. He went for a therapist visit earlier today and from what I understand he talked on several occasions about Ellie losing her hair. Noah has told Carly that he thinks Ellie will be scared when she doesn't have any hair. You would think that he would just be upset at the fact that Ellie won't have hair. But instead this not even five year-old boy is more concerned about how his little sister is going to feel. He's a great big brother and has a great big heart, just like his mom and just like Jesus. Please pray for him and the conversations we'll continue to have with him. Pray for the moment when Noah will see his sister without hair (for mom and dad too).
I truly believe in that time Ellie's strength will shine through and comfort her bother of his fears.
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."
Philippians 2:27-30
Love.Always.
Rich & Ellie
6 comments:
Praying for you and your family. May God comfort, strengthen heal your little one through all of this treatment. He is definitely being glorified by your testimony.
Your family is in my thoughts a prayers! I know it's tough to see your daughter lose her hair but you have to remember that this means the chemo is working and doing its job....it's kills the bad and unfortunatly kills some of the good things too but stay strong and know that she is in good hands!
I think of your angel and what a beautiful spirt she seems to have. If losing her hair to cancer means that she is overcoming this terrible disease, let the hair be gone. Hair will come back and her strength will continue. Noah is amazing in his wisdom at such a young age. You are all blessed. Prayers for all as this transition is occurring.
Always in our thoughts and prayers. We talked about sweet Ellie and your family at our relay for life meeting last night. Lots of people praying here in NC.
Get her some neat hats to show off..I think she already likes to "dress up"!
My prayers for you sweety! Hope you get well soon. Read the whole post with a heavy heart. If required, explore the various cancer headwear available over the web-stores.
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