Induction is officially complete! Along with a heaping bowl of Raisin Bran and an egg that rolled out of a Flintstone’s-caliber chicken, Amelia swallowed the last of her steroids this morning – and punctuated her meal with a whiny “I’m still hungryyyyyyyyyyy”. It’s incredible to think that one small person has the capability to triple the entire family grocery bill!
According to Amelia’s oncologist (whom we met with on Thursday – more on that later), we should start seeing Amelia’s mood, sleep, and appetite return to a more normal state after the steroids clear her system in the next few days. I look forward not only to having my girl smile again, but to banishing the convenience food that has bred like bunnies (expensive organic bunnies, that is) in my freezer and pantry. It will be a wonderful day when I can again cook a meal with yummy foods from our Farmer’s Markets.
Molly is still trucking along making the best of everything, as is her nature. She subs in for Amelia when playtime with friends comes along, has voluntarily potty trained through long car rides and abundant household chaos, and seems to intuit that Amelia is not really herself right now (but will be soon), so is best left alone for the time being. She seems to be content with just being near Amelia, and doesn’t insist upon interaction. I’ve never really been in the presence of such an adaptable, perceptive, and happy-go-lucky little person!
This Thursday, we met with Amelia’s oncologist to discuss her next phase of treatment, called consolidation. This will be less intense as a whole, with periods of heavier medications, and will last for the next 6-8 months. Though Amelia’s bone marrow results won’t come back until the middle of next week (the holiday delays the labs), Dr. Chaleff feels confident that they will show remission. At that time, we will decide whether or not to participate in the next clinical trial and find out what her treatment schedule/medications will be as we complete this year and move into what most people call “spring”, which is known as “winter, part deux” here in Maine (or at least in my house).
I will post again next week, when we receive results from Amelia’s Day 29 bone marrow. When you think good thoughts this week, please include a wish to send our rain to the southwest where they actually need it. Twelve inches of rain in 34 days is quite enough thank you! Not only is the garden overrun with slugs and the driveway turned to a porcine version of heaven, but it is cramping our style to be confined indoors. Send us the sun and enjoy the 4th!
(Amelia following one month of intense steroid treatment - she gained 12 pounds in two weeks,
an increase of 32 % her normal bodyweight. Poor kid - she felt as bad as she looked.)
(Two weeks later, nearly back to her normal weight and feeling infinitely more like herself.)
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