2230 20/10/10
Exactly as expected Anouk has had a rough couple of days, the chemotherapy attacks all fast growing cells, the tumour, her bone marrow, her hair follicles, the lining of the gut. Hence she is experiencing the side effects related to this, her stomach is sore and irritated, she has needed blood and platelet transfusions, her temperature has gone up, she is still being sick, she is on antibiotics and extra pain control and is now being fed via her veins, with a little bit trickling in to her stomach through the tube. She has slept or sat quietly in he push chair for much of today. It helps to visualise those hideous tumour cells, suffering more than she is...
She is still managing the odd lively and smiley moment, and continues to cope incredibly well with all that is being thrown at her, she is becoming quite an expert on her own care, which syringes should be used, how to turn her feed off, where linen is stored etc etc.
Anouk is quite specific about what she wants and doesn't want and is giving all visitors a hard time, Nicola, Grandma and Jo have all been told in no uncertain terms when their presence was no longer required. Anouk does want to rest and understandably does not appreciate her mother being entertained with tales from the outside world when all she really wants is a cuddle and silence. It is all a balance, and she does seem to appreciate short visits from people who don't mind being insulted... and i certainly do! We will let people know if it appears as though she will not be up for company.
We have been looked after by gifted and caring nurses - nursegate appears to be over, perhaps coinciding with when Anouk's care needs have been more acute and we have got over the 'sensitive new kid in school' experience. The environment is still something of a challenge particularly as the pumpatron is laden with more and more pieces of equipment and Anouk still insists on trips through the hospital and onto the rather uneven terrain of the car park for a change of scene, she is very keen to go down any slopes as quickly as possible, we took things a bit to far when we sprinted down the steep and slightly uneven road form the car park today, somehow managing to drag the pumpatron behind us - great fun but not so good for the stomach we discovered...
We do not know how long Anouk will be in this phase, much of it will depend on how quickly her blood recovers and if she picks up an infection. We have been told that we may get home for a couple of days before the next lot of treatment (cycle) starts, they are prepared to send us home if she is well and if her blood counts have reached a particular threshold, when they have picked to a higher threshold the next cycle will begin.
Her treatment started on Thursday 8/10/10 which is called Day 0. Her next cycle wouldn't start until at least 21days had passed.
We were very lucky to have a number of visitors over the weekend. Uncle Ben has bought a new..ish bike so it outside to have a look at that. Although in the end she wasn't very impressed.
Dressing up is still a big part of the process although she has at time been pissed off at the number of pics her father has ben taking..as you can see.
Cafe society in the mornings with daddy still happens, all be it in a quieter "cafe".
Anouks version of using a laptop keyboard is however more in tune with...Karate!
We notice that there have been very few comments lately. I think that we are all at loss of words. But we also think that we speak for all in admiration of your strength and the way Anouk is coping with this difficult treatment. We continue to send positive thoughts and love.
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