Week 45 complete

I am happy to announce that Cheyenne was discharged from the hospital after receiving her chemo.  Her bloodwork this morning had not changed any but they were okay because it also had not changed for the worse.  Sometimes counts come up after transfusion and then go back down after a day.
We are headed back tomorrow afternoon for her follow up appointment with ENT, and then next monday for the ECHO of her heart.  She will be in clinic wednesday for her counts and physical and if all is well she will be admitted at night fo her LAST chemo.
The kids are all glad to be home.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

update may 28 morning

We had a pretty uneventful night.  We were up quite late because who knew that a blood transfusion gives you more energy than a shot of expresso.  Cheyenne was bouncing around until 1am.
On the plus side she slept in until 1030 this morning.
I got her counts back this am.  Her ANC has crept up to 0.1.  This is encouraging, it means her body is starting to rebuild her bone marrow, hence her immune system is at least working.  She is still neutropenic but 0.0 means there is nothing.  Usually once Cheyenne starts to move up she rebounds quickly.
Cheyenne's haemoglobin has jumped up from 63 to 91.  I wasn't really that impressed by the counts I thought it should be higher until the Nurse Practitioner told me most people only gain 10 points from a transfusion and some require another one the second day.  So I will rejoice that this is not the case.
If Cheyenne continues to remain fever free she will have a 48hr(from last fever) blood culture taken tonight and if all is good we will be discharged tomorrow at some point.  Before we go home the will give Cheyenne her vincristine chemo.  That way we won't have to come into clinic on Thursday morning.  That will save us some time.  Thursday afternoon Cheyenne has a follow-up appointment with Dr MacLean(the ENT surgeon).
Thanks to those who continue to keep us in your prayers.  It helps to know that so many are praying for you and you don't feel alone.

update may 27 evening

Cheyenne received her bag of blood around nine this morning.  Because this was her first time they monitored her closely for reactions.  This meant vitals done every 15 minutes for the entire 3 hours it took for her transfusion.  Because it is done according to body size she didn't receive the entire unit but about 1/3-1/2.  Cheyenne had no problem getting new blood because hers was sick.  She was proud because she thought that getting blood was a badge of honour (just like her friend Crystal).  Since she woke up from her nap this afternoon she has been wired and chatting up a storm with all the nurses.  They are suprised by her turnaround from last night.  At the moment as I type this she has disconnected her heart monitors and is using the oximeter and 2 straws and making monster sounds.  The change is welcomed.  Thanks to all who have been praying for us today and sending encouraging words.  We appreciate it.

update may 27 morning

We ended up in emerg last night with a neutrpenic fever.  Turns out her counts were unreadable at 0.0.  Coming in her hemaglobin was 90, but with all the fluid they gave her because she was dehydrated she dropped to 63.  They are currently type and crossing her for a blood transfusion.  This will be her first transfusion which is rare for oncology kids.  They usually have had many by this point.  Please pray for this mama because a ball of nerves wouldn't even begin to describe how I feel right now.  Cheyenne has slept pretty well once she got into familiar ground upstairs.  She just woke up and is quite puffy from all the fluids.  Please pray that Cheyenne's transfusion will go well, without reactions and they will be able to find the source of her infection soon.

Week 44 complete

It has been a busy week, and rather cool too.  Cheyenne headed to school tuesday and wednesday.  She had a fall on the playground and hit her port.  And yes, we hyperventilate about this.  If it gets damaged or infected she would have to have it replaced.   We headed to McMaster thursday to get an earlier look at it.  It appeared to be ok and she got her chemo through it with no issues so we were happy.
Tonight putting Cheyenne to bed I noticed she was complaining of being cold and took her temp.  She has a neutropenic fever(we are to call at 37.8), we called the oncologist and they said if it geta any worse I am to bring her in.  I am to check it every couple hours.  Last I checked it had come down to 37.7, so hopefully she can fight this without iv antibiotics.   Please pray for continued strength as Cheyenne finishes her chemo.  2 weeks to go!

Week 43 complete

Another week has quickly passed along with another hospital admission for chemo.  Last wednesday night Cheyenne was admitted to receive her chemo thursday.  She was more tired than usual and slept most of the day.  This was easier because we had the room to ourselves until almost midnight thursday.  It was a pretty quiet admission because I tried to pack light and didn't bring my usual crafts.  I have learned my leason and will pack it and leave it in the vehicle next time incase the opportunity arises.  There is only so much Caillou one can watch and still be classified sane!
We were able to be discharged fairly early but by the time Cheyenne actually woke up and was ready to go it was almost noon.  She bounced back pretty well and the kids have all enjoyed the beautiful weather over the weekend.
Cheyenne was able to go to school today and hopefully tomorrow aand thursdaay also.  We head back to McMaster on friday for her small outpatient chemo.  3 to go!

Pictures and an update

Cheyenne and I are headed up to the hospital tonight.  Her counts were good (4.5) and they have a bed for her, so she will be getting hydrated tonight and chemo tomorrow.  If all goes well she will be getting discharged home friday morning.  The countdown is on.  This is her second last chemo admission.  She has 4 chemos left.  The thought makes me giddy.  Although we are nowhere done in terms of doctors appointments, follow-ups and tests/scans, I am ready to slow the pace down a little. 
Here are some pictures of the last little while (as promised)

Look who is climbing, everywhere.  No desire to walk on her feet yet her knees serve the purpose.

Wyatts SuperSib trophy

Flying kites in the pasture field.  Ignore the orphan outfits but after washing all the snowsuits and putting them away I wasnt too fond of getting them back out for 1 cool day.

Week 42 complete

Last thursday Cheyenne had her chemo treatment and bloodwork done.  Her ANC(neuts) counts were very low, 0.1 but her Hmg and platelets were good.  We were on fever lookout friday and she ran a lowgrade fever most of the day but thankfully we were able to avoid a trip to emerg.
This past week was hard on many other levels.  Wednesday morning we got word that one of the boys from clinic lost his battle against cancer.  Matteo was just 2 days shy of his 13th birthday.  I also later found out that another boy from clinic passed away wednesday evening, Matthew, also 13 years old.  These people become our families, we see most of them on a weekly basis, and we very much share in each others victories and mourn with each others losses.  It really makes us be grateful for each day we are given with our families.
Thank you to all those who have kept Cheyenne and our family in your prayers throughout the past year.

Week 41 complete

It has been such beautiful weather and we are enjoying getting outside, so much so that I keep putting off updating the blog. 
Cheyenne was able to go to school 2 days last week and today as well.  She enjoys school once there and comes home with plenty of exciting news but getting her there isn't as easy.  She puts up quite the fuss getting on the bus, it is probably a small issue but those who have dealt with Cheyenne know that once you make a statement, you need to follow through.  I told her she was going to school, and all was well until she found out that I went to town for groceries and Brielle got to stay at Grandmas by herself.  In essense she thinks she is missing out on something better. 
The kids have been having so much fun in the sandbox and on the bikes, a few minor wipeouts (Cheyenne is a clutz) but lots of smiles and exhausted kiddies at bedtime.
Last friday we headed down to clinic for counts and her little chemo.  Cheys counts were down to 1.1, so they were dropping but she wasn't neutropenic yet.  We are headed back thursday morning for clinic and then thursday afternoon we will be spending in pre-op to visit the anaesthesiologist.  This is in preparation for her sedated MRI mid June.  This appointment is pretty boring and considering we have to do it every 3 months, I wish we could skip it. 
We are so thankful for all who have faithfully prayed for, and continue to pray for Cheyenne and our Family.  I know that I previously asked that you would pray for Wyatt as he was having a hard time and feeling very left out.  Wyatt got a few parcels last week in the mail from Supersibs.  He was so excited, he got 2 beads to start his very own Beads of courage-sibling.  Friday a trophy came in the mail.  To say he is proud (it even has his name on it) would be an understatement.  I will try and get a picture and post later this week. 
We are now counting down the chemos with Cheyenne, 5 to go!