We're on a break

Yesterday Isabella reached round four of this session of chemo. She was only given one drug, the carboplatin. This is part of the regime, both drugs for 3 weeks and only carboplatin for the final week, but Gregorio and I hadn't realised. As suspected the vincristine, which she didn't have, seems to be the real round up weed killer. She bounced out of the clinic (after her usual anxiety attacks before and during the morning procedures) and off we went to Le Pain Quotidien in our neighborhood for lunch. She ate the best meal she's eaten in weeks. I think we might put on some weight this week to make up for the 2.5 pounds lost the week before last.

She even ate supper on a Thursday evening, unheard of during treatment! And today she has gone off to school with her valentine cookies to share with her classmates. Next week is the half term break which coincides nicely with Isabella's break from treatment. We are heading off to Blue Knob Ski Resort (British readers can snigger at that!) in Pennsylvannia. It is PA's highest skiable mountain, not sure what that means but we're hoping for some snow and a complete change of pace and scenery. It will also be a nice break from the dust that is permeating upstairs from the basement rennovations we have going on.

When we return, Isabella will restart taking the gleevec pills, but at a lower dosage to before. Hopefully she will tolerate them well this time.

Spring is in the air and we're going to enjoy our break. More news in March when we restart another session.

Love,

Emma and Gregorio. xxxx

Another week goes by

You may have wondered why we have gone quiet. Quite simply, no news. Our Thursday morning visits to Children's Hospital have slipped into a routine along with going to school/work, swimming lessons, playdates etc. Even the monthly hormone injection is less painful and over in a sec. This is not to take away any of the anxiety that Isabella experiences every Thursday morning before and during the visit to the oncology clinic. Thank goodness for Jeanette and Debbie, they (and all the staff in the clinic) really are saints, they greet Isabella with the same smile and enthusiasm every week and do their utmost to make the whole procedure as smooth and untraumatic as possible.

The past couple of weeks at the clinic Isabella has spent a lot of time in the art room and has enjoyed talking to the other kids going through similar treatments to her. It is good for her to realise she is not the only one and also she has enjoyed bragging with the other kids, about who is the least afraid of needles and the whole procedure.

This past week, poor Isabella has been in quite some pain, initially we thought she had caught the stomach virus that is doing the rounds but gradually we realised that it was a side effect of one of the treatments. We have not discussed it with her, as she would refuse point blank to take any further medication if she thought it were causing the pain. Thankfully the doctors understood this and did not discuss in detail in front of her today. We have given one of the drugs a break and then we'll reassess the dosage maybe next week. The pain has now subsided, as have her anxiety levels. We are now taking an afternoon nap on Thursday, following this morning's treatment. One more week and then there'll be a break for two weeks.

Here are Isabella and Matilde relaxing on the sofa after a hard day at school! Matilde might have started a new chic hair cut trend in the class but that thumb is still delicious!

Love
Emma & Gregorio xxx