Running Up The Slide

Right about now I feel like this cat trying to run up the slide. 

 

So here's what has happened since the last update... Last week was exciting and rough all at once. I knew this was the week that I was going to be having baby #2. I was given a due date of no later than Thursday the 13th and long story short is we welcomed our precious baby boy on Wednesday December 12th, 12-12-12, how cool is that birthdate huh! Here is Sophia with her little brother Samuel, she is a tiny bit jealous but she mostly wants to hold him or help out with him, it's really cute. When she hears him cry on the monitor she'll say "let's go, let's go" while running to the room to get him, it's hilarious.

The week before last Sophia developed an infection internally that most patients going through chemo can get, it wasn't too bad but she had to go on a 10 day medication that required us to give her a dose every 6 hours so waking up in the middle of the night to give her meds wasn't fun but it had to be done. While hubby and I were at the hospital our Sophia stayed with her grandparents til we got home so they were able to take her to her doctors appointment for us which was nice but at the same time I wanted to be there with her, but I guess I can't be in two places at once. She had her EKG done, which I still don't know the results of but since they haven't called I'm guessing things are okay, and her blood levels came out good so she was good to go on her chemo treatments for the day. She has quite a few appointments coming up that involve another LP w/chemo and I believe she will be getting new meds. She is also going to go back on steroids :( ugh! Her having Leukemia is already horrible but her being on steroids is even more horrible. I know things could be way more worse and I am so thankful they aren't but the things she has gone through and has to go through are just too much for a little body. I can't wait for all this to be over with. 4 months down and approx. 20 more to go! Oh aaand on top of all this she came down with a cold. So between the chemo treatments and the cold she had a really hard time wanting to eat. Apparently she didn't want to eat much but since she's going through so much I don't expect much from her and if her doctor isn't worried then either am I, and since I'm not allowed to give her anything while she's sick all they say is to keep her hydrated which she always is. Sophia likes loves water, seems like she guzzles it down by the gallons and she'll drink sips of juice here and there but doesn't really like it, so I don't worry about her being hydrated.  

So between what's to come with everything Sophia will be going through and having a new baby in the house and learning his ways and learning how to be a family of four it feels a little overwhelming. I feel like we are that cat above trying to run up the slide. I know we will eventually get up the slide (even though the cat might not make it, we will) but right now we're not even half way there. Prayers for us are welcomed as we head into what may seem like yet another rough patch on this road to recovery. I'm praying it wont be too rough since we've gone down this road before and we know what to expect but we never know how Sophia will respond to treatment til she goes through it. Her next treatment will be on new years eve so until next post I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, I know we have a lot to celebrate this year and we cannot wait to start a new year!

Forever Greatful!

This past week was a busy and great week and it looks like this week is headed that way as well, but what week isn't right!

Besides having doctor appointments I decided to take Sophia to possibly her last mommy and me class, well at least at this place, we'll see what the future holds. Her 1st teacher is retiring :( and I'm a little sad she won't get to experience this teacher til she goes to kindergarden but I'm so glad Sophia and I got to cross paths with this awesome teacher. She just so happens to have the same name as I, it's quite a beautiful name :) but Sophia has been with her since she was 5 months old. She has learned so much from her class and I will be forever greatful for this teacher and this class even though it was short lived, especially since we couldn't make it this semester due to Sophia's illness. Boo! Cancer Sucks! Anyways, we had no idea what we were in for this day. Before I say what went on I forgot to mention a couple weeks ago Sophia's awesome classmates apparently made shirts to wear or wore orange in support of her and we were supposed to visit but Sophia got sick so we couldn't make it, can I say again, Boo! Cancer Sucks!

SOPHIA'S WAY COOL CLASSMATES!

 

Okay, so we went to class and to our surprise the class had a surprise for Sophia and her, unborn, brother Samuel. They gave both a bucket full of stuff. One for Sophia's birthday in January and one for Samuel and his soon arrival. I was so shocked and greatful at all their support they have thrown Sophia's way. I didn't know what to say but Thank You! It's people like this that tells me our God is in control of every situation and knows which people to place in your life when you need them. Also another biggie, one of the ladies here, who takes her grandson to class, works for a cancer organization and they gave a nice check in honor of Sophia. How ridiculously cool is that. I wish Sophia knew just how much she is loved, thought of and cared for. This is exactly why I do this blog so that one day she will know all that was done to her and for her throughout treatment.

 

Clothes & Toys for my babes!

 

Also at the end of class there was a surprise party for Sophia's teacher, the turnout was great and it showed just how much she is loved and is going to be greatly missed.

 





Mrs. Priscilla & Sophia!



Fast forward to today, Sophia had another LP w/Chemo (LP = Lumbar Puncture) and it went pretty well. Her blood counts came out great this time so everything was a Go! My dad usually goes with us to these appointments but this time my mom was able to go since I will be a little occupied pretty soon. She got to learn the routine, all 8 hours of fun! going to this room and that room and just waiting. This time around Sophia also got 3 doses of chemo (a dose of methotrexate in her spine and picc line and a dose of vincristine in her picc line) and so far she's had no negative effects to it. Her doctor said if she were to start getting mouth sores it would be within 4 days of today since they did up her dose again but he also said only about 20% of kids get these sores, so we're praying she's not one of those 20%. She is almost done with this phase of treatment and will be entering a new one which requires her to get an echocardiogram done to make sure her heart is good to go. Sounds so scray that they have to take a precaution such as this for this next phase; chemo is already is big deal. More to come on the next phase. We just pray she's continues doing well and responding well. I'm so proud of my little Big girl, she let's the nurses and doctor do what they have to do and doesn't cry anymore. She already knows the route to the hospital because as we are driving up she says "I want sticker" she knows that she's going to get a pass, that's a sticker, and a sticker from the nurses so she associates the two and puts them together, it's too funny. The Lord is doing great things inside and out of her little body and we are so thankful! Sophia likes to play with items that are used on her, such as this blue glove in the picture below, she put it on because that's what the nurses do and I do at home, and she fell asleep. I'm glad I am able to keep her comfy in her stroller asleep as she received her chemo through her picc line. Until next time (hopefully I'll have had our little boy by next time) . . .

Nice and Comfy, sound asleep!