3rd Chemo Treatment

Kayleigh had her 3rd chemo treatment today.  We weren't sure if this would happen or not today, because she threw up and was sick to her stomach all morning.  The doctor felt it was medicine or food combination related and moved forward with the treatment.

This was the first time that the nurse had to access her port while she was awake or not sedated.  Jason and I were a little nervous about her seeing the needle and tube being poked into her skin (into the port underneath).  Needless to say, she was quite frightened, but once we convinced her that the cream we put on an hour before the appointment was a numbing cream, she was fine.  What a brave trooper she was!  The nurse invited Kayleigh to help with her blood draw and with the saline and heparin injections (not the chemo itself).  We couldn't believe she was allowed to help, but what we couldn't believe even more, is that she chose to help.  Imagine, a little girl sitting on the examining table with a large gun-like looking syringe (actually 3 combined syringes) hooked into her port, pulling up on the syringes and drawing out her own blood.  She did it, she actually did it!  I sure don't think that I could've done that to myself!  I would've fainted!  How about you?!?!  We ended up being at the clinic for longer than anticipated, just over 2 hours, waiting for lab results.  We were very happy to find out that all blood levels had improved and she did not need a red blood or platelet transfusion today. :)

As I mentioned above, Kayleigh was having tummy issues this morning, as well as last night.  I also mentioned that the doctor thought it could be medicine or food combination related.  My guess is, it's a combination of the medicine and the food.  However, I have to say, I've never seen a child eat the way she's eating right now!  She's wanting complete meals about every 2-3 hours.  Hunger is a side effect of the steroid she's on twice daily.  It's a wonder she hasn't had more stomach aches than she has!  Boy, is she becoming a plump little cutie with her chipmunk cheeks and Buddha belly.  :) The doctor said that she should lose the weight soon after she stops the steroids, which will be on day 28, around September 22, at least for now.

As for her hair loss, it is happening slowly but surely.  A strand or two at a time on her shirt, brush, pillow, and larger amounts when shampooing her hair. :(  It's inevitable that it's going to happen and something that will take some time for us all to get used to.

Her daddy (Jason) would like for me to add how much he loves her and how proud he is of her.  He's not the only one! :)