Delayed Intensification

We've got lots going on so grab a drink, sit, and read. . .

Hello 2013 and goodbye 2012. I must admit I aint gonna miss you, maybe a little but not really. I am very thankful for all the blessings that 2012 brought our family even all the trials we went through, believe it or not. We are looking forward to what this new year has to bring for us, for our little Sophia. We're looking forward to all things new and we pray for Sophia's body to keep healing the way it has and to keep responding to the treatments the way it has. Overall when we look back we really haven't had to many downs to deal with besides the obvious "stab me in the heart and break it into a million pieces" since we found out she had cancer. There are a ton of side effect and she really only got a few. We pray it stays that way or no side effects at all.

12/28/12

This is the first year we didn't plan anything for New Years, no going out or spending it with family, just home...just us...our new family of four! My mom and I spent new years eve, most of the day, at the hospital with Sophia. She started a new phase of treatment called Delayed Intensification, its a 2 month phase; sounds horrible and I'm sure it will be. I'm not too sure why its called that but I can only guess its cause its an intense phase with a few breaks here and there. During this phase she will keep going in for chemo treatments, she will have a few more LP's, she will be on steroids, she will still be on medication at home and she still has her picc line, which is a new little issue on it's own. Before I get into how her day went at her appointment I'll start with us having to go to the hospital on Friday. Sophia has developed a slight rash around her picc line which has caused some slight discomfort, it really itches her, and her dressing started coming off so we had to go in to have it changed. Over the weekend I did my own dressing changes on her and it seems to have gotten better but we still have to keep an eye on it. Ugh! Okay, so yesterday she received 2 chemo's, vincristine and a new one called Doxorubicin, aka the red devil. It was red and scary, for me at least. The nurses said that it can cause her urine to be red so the rest of the day I kept waiting for red urine but it never came. I did read up on it and it says that as long as the patient stays hydrated the urine wont be red and Sophia loves her water and lots of it so I think that's why it never came.

THE RED DEVIL

Her taking this new chemo, along with another one, was also the reason she had to get the EKG done since it's so strong. She also started taking the steroids again so we can expect her appetite to go back up, her rage to go back up, her weight to go back up, her blood count to go down, and her hair to fall out again (it was coming in so nice but with that red devil chemo along with a new one that she's getting Thursday it should fall out again)

NOOOOOOO!

The start to this new year is a little bitter sweet for us. The sweet is because it's a new year with new beginnings and many wonderful things to look forward and just the fact that our daughter still has life. The bitter is for what has happened. Last year we were planning an eventful day in Sophia's life. Her turning 1, her first birthday bash, everything was great and this year we are postponing celebrating her 2nd birthday due to her not doing well; as if she isn't going through enough, she will also have a procedure the day of her birthday. A procedure usually takes her out for the day so she takes more naps and for a longer period and she'll be at the end of her steroid treatment for the week so needless to say she will not be herself. My poor baby, I can't wait to celebrate once she is done with all treatment.

SOPHIA WHEN SHE TURNED 1

The other day Sophia's great grandpa called to see how she was doing and he just reminded me to never take my eyes off of God because He is always there for us and I believe when he said that this year is going to be a beautiful and better year for Sophia. Love my grandpa!

So with all this chemo and meds I expect things to be a little rough around here. Pray for Sophia as she enters into this new phase that will alter her mood and appearance again. Pray for Hubby as he has to be at work all day working hard and can't be here for us until the evenings. Pray for me that God will give me patience and piece during this time caring for Sophia and Samuel's needs during the day and pray for extra strength for us all. Thank You to everyone for their continued support and for all the Love for Sophia in the past year and the years to come!