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