August 21 - Day 1 (of treatment)

I just wanted to quickly update everyone on what happened last night. Evelyn's Port IV was inserted and recovery went well - she was so tired all she wanted to do was sleep. Back in our room one of the nurses came to take her blood so they wouldn't have to wake her at 6:00am but unfortunately no blood was coming out of her Port IV and it looked like it was leaking. They poked and proded but nothing was happening so they decided to take off the dressing and see what was going on. As suspected the needle was not inserted right so they had to take it out and re-insert it. The surgeon and nurses decided it was best to redo the needle right then. There was a lot of crying and angry glares from Evelyn but they were able to make quick work and it was redone, dressed quickly and she was fast asleep by 1:30am. Her arm IV was also taken out at the same time. She slept until 7 this morning and was pretty sore. The nurse was able to give her some morphine this morning to ease some of the pain. Today's plan is meeting with the doctors to discuss details and giving Evelyn her first dose of steroids. No chemotherapy today. We received some good news - results from the lumbar puncture came back and there was no leukemia hiding in and around the spine. We also wanted to mention Charlotte met with the Child Life specialist yesterday and today. Their job is to make siblings of the patient (and patients if old enough) feel more comfortable and understand what's going on around them. She received her own 'Evelyn' doll, was able to colour on a face and put in an IV into her. Charlotte is adapting well and has been a big helper to her sister. Sorry if these posts are a little lengthy - there is a lot happening and lots of information being thrown our way so the doctors can start treatment as soon as possible. I hope to post pictures once things settle down :).

Philippians 4:1
"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength"

Lindsey and Steve