Steroids, Joyful Steroids - Part Two

So, I apparently exceeded my character limit in my previous post. I blame the Mayo Clinic for publishing such an extensive list of side effects for oral steroids (though perhaps should point my finger right at the source, no?). However, let's continue, shall we?

...and this tiger.

The kids also made a very hilarious comedy video. If I can figure out how to upload it in an expedient manner (opposed to the 1-plus hours it is telling me it requires), I will share with all of you. It's quite funny. Really.

That about sums it up.

Update: Amelia has been of of steroids for nine days, and is now beginning to act like a human again (though a human that seems not to require sleep). She didn't make counts to begin her newest chemotherapy (that is, her immune function is too low), but we are hopeful for Monday. Though it proved to be a challenging couple of weeks, we are happy to be at home, instead of hospitalized due to some sort of infection or other strange-but-not-uncommon event. Amelia is cheerful, Molly is Molly, and we are hanging on for the ride.

Steroids, Joyful Steroids - Part One

It’s been a weird week. Amelia is approximately halfway through delayed intensification, and has been taking many chemotherapy drugs, including – dum dum dummmmm – the wicked steroids. The Mayo Clinic lists potential side effects of oral dexamethasone as follows:

Day 29 - Buh Bye Steroids!

Originally Posted Jul 4, 2009 6:31am

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.

Princess or Professional Wrestler?

Originally Posted Jun 24, 2009 4:41pm

Great news...Amelia's Day 14 bone marrow showed that her blasts (leukemia cells) are down to 1%. This is a very positive outcome and bodes well for her future treatments. This shows that her body is responding very well to the chemotherapy, and that achieving remission by Day 29 is very realistic indeed.

Thanks and Good News

Originally Posted Jun 10, 2009 7:36pm

First of all, I must express our gratitude to you all. I always knew that Amelia was loved by many, but the outpouring of support from friends old and new is absolutely staggering. Truly, words cannot express what this means to our family and Amelia's healing process. Thank you all!

On to the great news (wishing I had some Monty Pythonesque animations for this announcement)...