First, I have to share something. In a home where cancer is a common word, sometimes our kids just don't use it correctly. Like, when fighting over who gets the stool at the sink first to brush teeth. Things might be said like, "well you got the stool first, you always go first". And then a sibling retorts, "well you got cancer first." Um, yeah. I don't really get it either. But, our older kids were 3 and 4 years old when Air Bear was 2 and got cancer. So, they really have no idea how awful cancer (and all that comes with it) is. My son was SO thrilled today that we got to go to Air Bear's Hospital, he yelled as he jumped out of the car to go to Chinese class "I get to go to Erin's hospital today!!" He loves, like LOVES, like super-duperly loves her hospital. They have an amazing playroom on the 3rd floor and that is just about all he remembers from the whole cancer experience. He dreams about living in that playroom. Our kids are now 6, 7, and 8 and they have odd conversations about cancer. I try my best to explain what we went through, but they'll never completely understand. I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that they only remember the bright happy things about what we went through.
Well, let's shout it out! YIPPEE!!!! Yippee for another successful hospital visit! It's amazing how quickly time flies and we don't think about cancer coming back. I hardly bat an eye about going to get a blood draw now. I didn't sit and worry if this one would show signs of her cancer coming back. It is just one of the perks of getting further and further from where we were on June 1st 2010 when we found out our Little Air Bear had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. We are in the clear to come back in one year. We get a whole 'nother 365 days away from the hospital (and all the memories that come back when I visit). Niiiiiice.
**Pictures from today's visit**
Playing in the waiting room. She had just gotten her poke in her arm to draw blood and was a champ at holding still and not crying! And, she had it all planned out how she was going to pick a prize from the prize box for her sister and brother instead of herself. Sweet, huh?!
Getting ready for her ECHO
We get these yearly because her hard core chemos can cause future heart damage.
She watched Frozen on the TV while I watched the ECHO of her heart.
Results say everything looks fabulous! Take that nasty chemo!!!
Her older siblings enjoyed playing in the playroom while they waited!
A new toy in Oncology - she was excited!
She colored a picture for me.
"To Mom - Luve Erin"
She's growing!!
She is in the 0% for weight, but she JUMPED up to the 11% for height!
Wowzers!
She branched out here and chose chocolate milk instead of Root Beer.
Awww, Dr. Verma . . . let us count the ways we love you!
"Mom, let me listen to your heart."
Labs from 42 Month Clinic
White Blood Count 6.2 (normal 6.0-10.0)
Hematocrit 40.9 (normal 34.0-40.0)
Platelets 241 (normal 150-400)
ANC 1600 (normal 1500-8500)
Previous Labs from 36 Month Clinic
White Blood Count 7.6
Hematocrit 40.1
Platelets 238
ANC 2800
Hi there, I'm Lindsey! I have a question and would love to speak with you! Please email me when you have a chance, thanks so much!! lindseyDOTcaldwellATrecallcenterDOTcom
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm Rachael. My 7 mos old is in treatment for aml m7 non downs. She is on chemo only protocol unless relapsed. Would you've able to email me at rbabykakes04@aol.com ? I have yet to find another case like mine that was chemo only until I found your blog. Thank you so much
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