grouchies

Paige went up to the H a couple days ago with a fever. So she'll be there for at least a few more days getting antibiotics.

fuzzy bunny hair

Because Paige went so long between her second-to-last and last rounds of chemo, her hair began to grow back, just a little. It's soft and fuzzy, and is starting to get dark in places. But the last round (which was last week) will kick in at some point here in a few days, and then I think she'll be bald again. But it's fun to get a preview of how cute she'll be while it's growing in!

As soon as her blood counts recover from this last round, they will do a bone marrow biopsy. I expect that will be withing the next three weeks. If the lab people see any cancer cells at all, even just 1%, it means that the chemo was ineffective.

So please pray like mad!

Thursday

Ben stayed with Paige during her two day chemo run. She's back home now (they drove in the blizzard) sans Broviac. Somehow it came out earlier today, and it looks like the cuff stayed inside her when everything else pulled out. She might have surgery in the future to fish it out of her chest. Pray that it won't lead to an infection in the meantime.

Wow. The boringness of my blog amazes me. Sorry folks. I guess I can be thankful that there is no current crisis.

I just heard a sqeak in the kitchen, where Francesca, my cat, had cornered a mouse. The same mouse, I believe, that she had mortally (or so I thought) wounded this morning. It was huddled earlier today in the sleeve of a fleece jacket, and from what I could see, looked bloody. Luke asked me if God could heal it, and then wanted me to pray, so I did. And there you have it, now it's running around my kitchen.

Saturday

Paige went on a green marker rampage today at Grandpa H's house. It's on her legs, feet, hands, and face. She was suppossed to go to the hospital Friday to begin chemo, but her ANC dropped back down to around 100. So we're waiting at home until it goes up again. She keeps complaining of her "Ow, tummy." We're not sure if the pain is from all the antibiotics or the chemo.

Thursday

Paige came home yesterday! Her counts zipped up to over 600, so Laura B. who had been in the hospital with her for two days delivered her to us. It was my dad's birthday, so Mom, Dad Paige and I went out to dinner together. Paige was great, and had fun dipping her bread into marinara sauce like the big people. She melted down at the end, and we had to wisk her away from the other patrons, but overall, she was great.

Luke is very sick with a cough and runny nose, so he and Ben are over at Ben's dad's house till the kids can be together again.

Something for prayer: I have been looking into alternative treatments to complement Paige's chemo, and have run things by my naturopath (sp?) and the oncologists. But I have been doing some online research, and I'm interested in looking at the nutritional component. Please pray that God will help me find just the right thing for Paige, and that He'll help me feel at peace, and not like Paige's health is in my hands. (Which it's not, but it could feel that way if we end up doing a labor intensive diet, like gluten-free.) God is a smart guy, and I know that he can direct me, and keep me peaceful, so please pray for us, and pray that the oncologists will be open-minded to untraditional nutrition ideas. Anything is better than the dreadful hospital food, which consists of lots of white bread and fried food!

Monday

Paige's white blood cell counts are taking their time recovering, so it looks like she might still be in the hospital for her birthday celebration (Sunday - her actual birthday is Monday) :( We had a big shin-dig planned and Keith and Ethan are scheduled to be here then. Mom was up at the hospital today, and said that Paige seems to be feeling fine. Her latest thing is to say "Oh my goodness" or, even more adorable, "Goodness goodness goodness." She also has a thing for the song "Jesus wants you for a sunbeam." It's funny, because at that age, Luke was always having us sing that song to him too. Sometimes she cuddles her doll, and sings "Sunbeam" to her. And other times she picks her up and whacks her head on the metal bars of the crib.

Friday

Paige has been home for awhile, but went back to Dartmouth tonight with Ben due to a fever. Her immune system (as is normal after each round of chemo) is very weak, so it's not surprising that she seems to have caught something. She would have gone up tomorrow morning to get blood and platelets.

She has a funny new habit of calling Luke "brother." Though they still fight alot, they also have fun together. Tonight they were deeply absorbed, sitting side by side in a chair watching Finding Nemo. And earlier (of course while I was on the phone) they were nearly frenzied, jumping on the couch, hollaring and laughing and wrestling. They seem united in the phone conspiracy.

Her next, and last scheduled, round of chemo is right after her birthday (which is March 26). It is so bizarre to think that this may be it, that after the last round we may be done with chemo (and possibly cancer) forever. I'm almost worried to let myself hope.

I am so blessed with my little family. Thank you all for praying for us.