Saturday 28 March 2015

March 28

This is just a quick post to update everyone on the crazy week that we've had here! And maybe request a prayer to kick all this sickness out the door and bring some peace back to the Horsman household :). About ten days ago it started with Charlotte - she was up half the night complaining of a sore ear.


The next day we took her to our doctor and she had a bad double ear infection. We got a prescription and headed home.
About 5 days later Evelyn's cough that had been hanging around seemed to get worse so it didn't surprise us when early Monday morning Evelyn woke up in the middle of the night complaining of a sore ear. She was finally able to sneak in a little bit of rest in the early morning hours and knowing we had to head to clinic first thing I let her sleep. Around 9am us three girls headed to clinic.

Evelyn got blood work done, was checked by the doctor and sure enough had an ear infection. We filled her prescription and headed home.


Tuesday the girls were feeling ok and we even squeezed in some play time with cousins.
 


Unfortunately the feeling good didn't last long - Evelyn's fever returned late that afternoon. She also hadn't had a wet diaper all day and wasn't interested in food or drink. We were a little worried she was becoming dehydrated. Since clinic was closed for the day we packed up and headed to emerge at Mac. Since we are usually stuck in a little room, often for hours, we dropped Charlotte off at her cousin's house. By the time we got to Mac Evelyn's fever had subsided with the help of Tylenol.




She was once again checked over by the doctor and because her blood counts were nice and high (a huge blessing!) and she was finally eating and drinking something we were able to go home.
Wednesday was a quiet day at home. The girls were still dealing with runny noses and coughs so we spent the day at home catching up on housework and rest.


Once again the rest didn't last long because Thursday morning Charlotte woke up with another fever and complaining of a sore throat/ear. Since I had to take Evelyn to clinic for her chemo treatment I dropped Charlotte off at our aunts house until Steve could come home from work to take her back to the doctor. Off Evelyn and I went to clinic. My instincts told me Evelyn seemed a little off and sure enough, I was right - halfway to clinic, while stuck in traffic Evelyn complained of a sore tummy and promptly threw up over everything. I didn't have a change of clothes but thankfully we were minutes from my sister's house where she was able to help out with new clothes, a comfy blanket and a reassuring hug :).

Evelyn felt much better once she was out of the van and in clinic. Her blood work showed that her counts had stayed high and we were still able to go ahead with her chemo.



Yep - those are boy pajamas but we made due and Evelyn was happy with the comfy clothes and this momma was happy that she had anything at all to wear! :).
We got home early afternoon and just as we were settling in to relax Evelyn's fever came back. So as I took Charlotte to her doctor appointment Steve headed back to Mac with Evelyn for more blood work and swabs.


It was determined the antibiotic prescribed to Charlotte wasn't working and was cause for her fever. We got a new prescription and headed home. Thankfully the clinic at Mac was still open so it was a quick visit for Steve and Evelyn and they were home before dinner. We all went to bed praying for a quiet day on Friday. The morning came with no fevers and happier girls :). I received a call from our clinic nurse to say that Evelyn's swab came back positive for entrovirus and rhinovirus - typical viruses and something that just had to run it's course but was the cause of all the return fevers. In children with low immunity fevers tend to come along with the viruses. She informed us that Evelyn's fever may return but reassured us we wouldn't have to go into Mac over the weekend and just to treat it with Tylenol. Evelyn also started another round of steroids on Thursday which we were actually thankful for this time around - the steroids bring up her immune system and help to recover quicker from colds/flus. It has been a stressful and exhausting week but we continued to gain our strength from our Heavenly Father. It was tough but we strived to focus on the blessings in this rough week - the support and help of family throughout the week, the amazing team at Mac and the ease at which Charlotte and Evelyn went with the flow. We know that this is the seasons for colds and flus and this too shall pass! We look forward to warmer weather and hopefully less sickness! :). After that crazy week and dealing with steroids we are having a quiet weekend at home getting in lots of rest and relaxation :).


To end on a positive note - Evelyn usually sits on my lap when she gets her chemo but this past week she decided to sit all by herself and did great! :)


Lindsey and Stephen
Psalm 62:6-8 - "He only is my rock and my salvtion, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Tuesday 10 March 2015

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."