Maple Syrup

Last week ran away with us and I never got round to publishing an update and here we are again at Children's on a Thursday morning. Isabella's blood counts (specifically her ANC) were still a bit low at 420, so there was no chemo last week. Today her ANC rocketed up to 1850 and we are about to start chemo. This will be round 3 of this cycle and we are now two weeks behind our original date for a break. Of course, last week I had just recalulated when our breaks would fall throughout the next 6 months but I am learning that this can be a futile exercise. Realistically, I'll keep on working out when the 'good' chemo-free weeks will be and just have to accept when they are shifted.

The good news is that through major scientific research we seem to have cracked Isabella's anxiety which induces vomiting. The magic ingredient, you may not believe, is Aunt Jemima's maple syrup. She looks away and takes deep breathes of maple syprup and she forgets about the smell and taste she has in her mouth. Hey, whatever works, just so long as I remember to pack the bottle in my hospital bag every week we should be fine! And just to prove she can now handle the saline flush, they had to give her 4 doses this morning in order to draw blood. No problem, bring it on!

In fact today has started better than most weeks. Isabella asked for and ate breakfast. She has not done this on a Thursday in 6 months of treatment. Then on our way to the hospital, Isabella's mood was different. Instead of a tense 20 minutes + drive, filled with questions such as "who is going to access me today, I hope it's Jeanette" "how much saline will I have to have? " "how long will we be there today" "can I rest at home this afternoon if I don't feel well" we had "what are those people doing standing in the middle of the road?" "mummy I don't think you are sticking the speed limit!!" and "can I play the piano this afternoon?" Definitely much more positive and aware of her surroundings.

This morning she was accessed very quickly with no anxiety and then, as if scrambled eggs weren't enough at home, we've just had a yogurt, two rashers of bacon and a bottle of chocolate milk. Ok not her usual gourmet selection, but Thursday mornings are full of treats and a concentration on the calorie intake.

We think Isabella is continuing to do brilliantly in the way she takes everything in her stride. We often get asked "How's Isabella doing?" and quite honestly we don't always know how to reply. From the beginning Isabella has been asymptomatic (thankfully). No headaches, no vision problems, no seizures, no pain and really she is tolerating the chemotherapy incredibly well. So it is often difficult to know what to say. As a worrying mother I am always adding "yes we'd love to come over for a playdate on Friday but please understand that Isabella may not be on top form" Everytime she proves me wrong, so perhaps I should just stop worrying. Yeah right! But how we answer that question usually depends on the how we are feeling, but please don't stop asking. Isabella is a very sensitive and mature little girl, as many of you know, and we are increasingly dealing with her questions about how long she is going to have to take chemotherapy for and why she has to take it, but Mati doesn't. The lack of hair continues to be a non-issue, in fact she's rather pleased not to have to go through the whole hair washing and drying ordeal like her sister. Most of the time Isabella is a regular 6 year old, sorry 6 and 3/4 year old, full of questions, enthusiasm and happy to play, learn and enjoy life.

Given that we are two weeks behind on the original chemo plan, the MRI will now be shifted so it falls after the last round. We are still waiting for the date. We'll be back next week for the final round. Both girls are rather happy about this as there is no school, so big sister gets to show young Matilde the art room and introduce her to her friends and the clowns.

Love,

Emma & Gregorio. xxx