March 10

I can't believe it's been almost two months since I've posted - but that's a good thing! It's been pretty quiet over here. Both girls had a cold a few weeks ago and are still hanging onto that nasty cough but other then that we have stayed healthy. We are going a little stir crazy with all this cold weather but have managed to get outside a little bit. We look forward to the higher temperatures this week! :)

On Thursday Evelyn was scheduled for another lumbar puncture - this was her second to last one - only one more to go! She was still dealing with the cough, often keeping her up at night and not settling until she drinks something - this had us concerned since she had to fast the night before. We were told if need be she could have a sip or two of liquid before 5am - thankfully this only happened once. We were up and out the door in the early morning hours once again and arrived right on time to the hospital.

We were surprised when we realized how busy it was - that's usually a good indication it's going to be a long morning of waiting and not eating/drinking. I was a little worried her cough would affect the sedation and possibly delay the procedure but after the doctor checked her all out and she was cleared to go ahead.

Evelyn did really well and kept busy with all the toys as well as lots of crafts - her favourite thing to do at clinic lately.

We are also meeting with the nutritionist again - Evelyn went for about a month without gaining any weight but unfortunately her weight's started to climb again. Besides steroid week she eats fairly healthy but because treatment can often mess with her metabolism a couple unhealthy things can tip the scale. Our nutritionist came up with some ideas and swaps to try during steroids - even came up with a list of 'healthier' chips! :). We are hoping these things help - we have 7 more months of treatment and we can't have her gaining weight as rapidly as she is now.
Because the cough had Evelyn up at 4:30 by the time our name was called and it was our turn Evelyn was pretty tired.

The procedure went quick - they had to suction her airway and her oxygen was low, I'm assuming because of the cough (again!) but other then that it went fairly smooth. They tried to keep a mask on her but she wasn't having it.

She woke up peacefully and sleepily said to me "Are we gettin' outta here Mommy?" as she proceeded to sing nice and loud a familiar 'God song' :). Needless to say she's a funny girl after sedation. Evelyn tends to get pretty nauseous from the sedation as well so as the Gravol dripped through her IV she filled up on snacks, cartoons and stickers. 

 

Evelyn always gets a bandaid on her port after she gets her chemo and the nurses will draw faces or whatever requested. For weeks now Evelyn asks for a ghost, we are not even sure how that came about but every week the nurses come through and she gets her ghost :). I'm not allowed in the room when they do her LP so when she came out and I saw that little ghost it brought tears to this Momma's eyes - it may have just been the exhaustion but I think it was the realization that we have some pretty amazing nurses who take the time to remember what makes Evelyn smile :). It's the little things in this big journey.

After grabbing our prescriptions we finally headed home. The girls were happy to be reunited after a long morning away from each other.

We are finishing up steroid week as I write this and we will be down to single digits - only 9 more steroid rounds! We are in countdown mode - roughly 7 more months, 29 weeks, 186 days, but who's counting? :). We are trying not to wish the away the time, especially since time already flies with young kids but we so look forward to celebrating our journey and the end of treatment.
One of the many many many ways we plan to celebrate is giving back. Steve and I, along with our team and the support of many family and friends are walking 25kms for the Shopper's Drug Mart OneWalk to Conquer Cancer. Our goal as a team is to raise $13,000 - all the money donated will be for further research in all pediatric cancers. We are walking in honour of Evelyn and for all our many family and friends affected by all types of cancers. Please take a minute to look at our page and consider donating - no amount is too small. Thank you to all - we couldn't have done this without the support and care from all our family and friends.

http://to15.onewalk.ca/site/TR?team_id=2990&fr_id=1050&pg=team

I want to end with a hair update because it's been a bit!

 

 

Lindsey and Stephen

 

Psalm 27:5-6 "For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD."