Another round of chemo today, only half dose of vincristine. Otherwise a fairly routine Thursday. Now we are relaxing at home in front of the TV.
We are another week closer to a break and a much needed vacation to Canada. I have finally booked all parts of the holiday and the girls have packed their bags - 3 polly pocket shoes in one bag along with sticky tape, hair bands, headless barbies, numerous plastic bead necklaces, lip gloss and notebooks, there are several of these types of bags, containing all the essentials. I can only imagine Gregorio's reaction when it comes to packing the car up!
Its hot and humid in DC, we are just hoping the weather holds off for a BBQ at the week-end.
Hope you are all having a good summer,
Emma & Gregorio. xxx
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Over the hump
Today we were at Children's for the start of round 5, it's downhill to Christmas (finger's crossed there are no slips in the treatment dates).
Matilde came to the hospital today. Isabella whispers in her ear, just before they started the procedure "don't worry, I might cry, but I promise I won't scream". It was a very sweet moment, Isabella wanted to be the brave strong elder sister and Matilde was there to help but Isabella knew she wouldn't stick around if there were too many screams. Matilde has not been to the Thursday morning clinic many times and today she got to enjoy the routine including an entertaining visit from the clowns. Isabella was a little more agitated today, as she had had a couple of weeks off, but all things considered, it went pretty smoothly.
Her neurologist repeated the MRI results that everything was stable and that this was good news and very standard at this stage of treatment. Our aim now is to keep the tumors at bay. We also fitted in a visit to the eye doctor. They need to do a few more tests next week but so far she has 20/20 vision. As if we had any doubt, but it is one of the main things we have to watch, given the location of the main tumor.
In the three weeks we have been off chemo Isabella has grown in height, gained weight and all of a sudden none of her shoes fit. She is looking well and happy.
Not much else to report this week other than we are enjoying having the Italian grandparents here. We have been splashing in the pool in between the rain showers and fixing leaking kitchen taps and aging cars.
We are counting the weeks to our vacation in Canada - hopefully starting on August 14th, at the end of cycle 5.
Lots of love,
Emma & Gregorio. xxx
Matilde came to the hospital today. Isabella whispers in her ear, just before they started the procedure "don't worry, I might cry, but I promise I won't scream". It was a very sweet moment, Isabella wanted to be the brave strong elder sister and Matilde was there to help but Isabella knew she wouldn't stick around if there were too many screams. Matilde has not been to the Thursday morning clinic many times and today she got to enjoy the routine including an entertaining visit from the clowns. Isabella was a little more agitated today, as she had had a couple of weeks off, but all things considered, it went pretty smoothly.
Her neurologist repeated the MRI results that everything was stable and that this was good news and very standard at this stage of treatment. Our aim now is to keep the tumors at bay. We also fitted in a visit to the eye doctor. They need to do a few more tests next week but so far she has 20/20 vision. As if we had any doubt, but it is one of the main things we have to watch, given the location of the main tumor.
In the three weeks we have been off chemo Isabella has grown in height, gained weight and all of a sudden none of her shoes fit. She is looking well and happy.
Not much else to report this week other than we are enjoying having the Italian grandparents here. We have been splashing in the pool in between the rain showers and fixing leaking kitchen taps and aging cars.
We are counting the weeks to our vacation in Canada - hopefully starting on August 14th, at the end of cycle 5.
Lots of love,
Emma & Gregorio. xxx
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Stability is good
Isabella had her MRI on Monday morning (slight mix up in the date with the hospital). Her oncologist came by as Isabella was waking up from the sedation. Good news: all stable no growth.
We will meet with the oncologist and the neurologist on Thursday July 23 when she starts cycle 5 of chemo. We'll have a chance then to review the actual scans and get more details. In the meantime we are happy to know the chemo is keeping the tumors stable.
We've been having fun splashing about in the pool with the British grandparents who sadly leave on Wednesday but on Thursday the Italian summer camp begins with the arrival of i nonni da Roma.
Hope you are all enjoying summer, it's been lovely here in DC.
Love,
Emma and Gregorio xxx
We will meet with the oncologist and the neurologist on Thursday July 23 when she starts cycle 5 of chemo. We'll have a chance then to review the actual scans and get more details. In the meantime we are happy to know the chemo is keeping the tumors stable.
We've been having fun splashing about in the pool with the British grandparents who sadly leave on Wednesday but on Thursday the Italian summer camp begins with the arrival of i nonni da Roma.
Hope you are all enjoying summer, it's been lovely here in DC.
Love,
Emma and Gregorio xxx
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Dr Impavido
On July 1st the new doctors start at Children's Hospital, let us present Dr Impavido, her second day on the job! Matilde had the great idea of giving her a doctor's jacket and bag for her birthday and today Dr Impavido has been walking proudly around the hospital. She's been taken into the oncology office to meet all the staff and given various badges and her very own stethoscope. She is very proud.
July 1st was a day of anniversaries for Gregorio and I - we've been together for 15 years and it was also the day we brought Isabella home from the hospital 7 years ago. It is hard to believe all the adventures we have had since that emotion filled chaotic day. We had a lovely family day with Peter and Janie on Sunday, Isabella's actual birthday when she went for the world record in how many lamb chops anyone can consume in one sitting. Then on Monday we had a fun party splashing at the pool.
This last week at school seems to have been one long party for all. And Isabella was given the primary award for French. Our little linguist! Today is the last day of school and tomorrow is a holiday so a long relaxing week-end all round. Much needed.
Today Isabella is receiving carboplatin only, this completes cycle 4, we are half way there! We now have a couple of weeks off from treatment which we are all looking forward to. On Sunday July 12th she will be having another MRI of the brain for an update on what progress the treatment is having. We should have the results sometime on the Monday 13th and will update you then.
In the meantime, enjoy the summer and Happy 4th July.
Love,
Emma & Gregorio.xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)