Chemotherapy Course 3 done, only 9 more to go!!!
This session was a pretty interesting course. Little Miss LadyBug battled a flu bug most of the weekend and Monday morning she had passed it on to daddy. After about 20 minutes it became pretty apparent daddy was not going to make it up to the hospital with us (Never a dull moment in our house!) So Rylie and I quickly got ready and made sure daddy was settled into bed and then we headed off to get this months treatment.
Rylie of course did wonderful again. Many people have told us little kids are resilient when it comes to these sorts of things and each time we go up for chemo Rylie seems to amaze us just a little bit more. As we have mentioned before, She is just a little rock star when it comes to these doctors appointments. She is 2 so obviously she puts up a little fight but for the most part she just goes with the flow and does what she is asked to do. Primary Children's has a wonderful department of individuals (Child Life Specialists) that work to make the kiddos feel more comfortable and at ease during these scary appointments and procedures, and man do they do a great job. It's nice to have people there that help you explain things you have no idea how to explain. Luckily, oncology has there own child life specialist that is there every day of the week so Rylie has gotten to know Miss Rachelle pretty well, which helps comfort her a little bit more. I think the familiar faces are becoming a comfort to all of us. PLus, It did not take Rylie long too realize Rachelle brings toys, books, and lots of fun other things to play with. Rachelle is the only one that lets Rylie paint on everything and anything in sight all in the name of familiarizing her with different medical devices. It's amazing... before this nightmare started Rylie didn't have a clue as to what a blood pressure cuff was, what a stethoscope looked like, hell... she barely remembered what a shot was. Now, after some playing (teaching) with Rachelle she is almost a pro at all things medically related. I know it shouldn't amaze me, she is a pretty brilliant child but the fact that she knows what to do with a stethoscope just floors me. What 2 year old knows how to do that?!? She literally walks into the out-patient oncology office and goes through the motions like it's nothing... like it's completely normal. It is just amazing to watch. Each time she seems to learn a little more... we just might have a future oncologist on our hands! :)
After a little bit more teaching, we move into the portion of the appointment we all hate...Rylie gets accessed. This has become a pretty tough few minutes after our recent ER visit. Things hurt pretty badly in the ER and nothing went according to plan so she gets a little anxious now. There is not a lot of fighting but there are lots of tears and pleas for help and as her parent it just completely breaks our hearts. This time was especially hard. As soon as they pushed the cart of sterile supplies in the room she knew exactly what was about to happen and she immediately turned around, jumped into my lap and started crying telling me she wanted to call daddy. It literally ripped my heart out. she might only be 2 but she has quickly figured out her daddy is there to protect her and not having them there really scared her. So, we compromised and as soon as we got all hooked up we called daddy and got to talk to him for a little bit before.
While we wait to see our attending oncologist Rylie is started on an hour of IV fluids. The chemotherapy Rylie receives can pose some possible risks to the liver and kidneys so it is important she stay hydrated throughout this process. Getting her fluids is usually the calm before the storm, we are able to cuddle up and enjoy a movie before we get down to the nasty part of the day. Then, we are off to the treatment room to start the chemotherapy. Believe it or not Rylie actually really looks forward to moving to the back... there are LOTS of toys and goodies back there... and our favorite Nurse Miss Becky. I don't know who loves her more, Rylie or us. These nurses have become like family to us, I don't know what else to call them. They have literally walked us through some of the worst and scariest moments in our lives. Seeing there faces each month brings a sense of calm to this entire process. In just 3 short months we have become so comfortable with them, it's hard to imagine trusting anyone else with our girl.
This session was a pretty interesting course. Little Miss LadyBug battled a flu bug most of the weekend and Monday morning she had passed it on to daddy. After about 20 minutes it became pretty apparent daddy was not going to make it up to the hospital with us (Never a dull moment in our house!) So Rylie and I quickly got ready and made sure daddy was settled into bed and then we headed off to get this months treatment.
Rylie of course did wonderful again. Many people have told us little kids are resilient when it comes to these sorts of things and each time we go up for chemo Rylie seems to amaze us just a little bit more. As we have mentioned before, She is just a little rock star when it comes to these doctors appointments. She is 2 so obviously she puts up a little fight but for the most part she just goes with the flow and does what she is asked to do. Primary Children's has a wonderful department of individuals (Child Life Specialists) that work to make the kiddos feel more comfortable and at ease during these scary appointments and procedures, and man do they do a great job. It's nice to have people there that help you explain things you have no idea how to explain. Luckily, oncology has there own child life specialist that is there every day of the week so Rylie has gotten to know Miss Rachelle pretty well, which helps comfort her a little bit more. I think the familiar faces are becoming a comfort to all of us. PLus, It did not take Rylie long too realize Rachelle brings toys, books, and lots of fun other things to play with. Rachelle is the only one that lets Rylie paint on everything and anything in sight all in the name of familiarizing her with different medical devices. It's amazing... before this nightmare started Rylie didn't have a clue as to what a blood pressure cuff was, what a stethoscope looked like, hell... she barely remembered what a shot was. Now, after some playing (teaching) with Rachelle she is almost a pro at all things medically related. I know it shouldn't amaze me, she is a pretty brilliant child but the fact that she knows what to do with a stethoscope just floors me. What 2 year old knows how to do that?!? She literally walks into the out-patient oncology office and goes through the motions like it's nothing... like it's completely normal. It is just amazing to watch. Each time she seems to learn a little more... we just might have a future oncologist on our hands! :)
After a little bit more teaching, we move into the portion of the appointment we all hate...Rylie gets accessed. This has become a pretty tough few minutes after our recent ER visit. Things hurt pretty badly in the ER and nothing went according to plan so she gets a little anxious now. There is not a lot of fighting but there are lots of tears and pleas for help and as her parent it just completely breaks our hearts. This time was especially hard. As soon as they pushed the cart of sterile supplies in the room she knew exactly what was about to happen and she immediately turned around, jumped into my lap and started crying telling me she wanted to call daddy. It literally ripped my heart out. she might only be 2 but she has quickly figured out her daddy is there to protect her and not having them there really scared her. So, we compromised and as soon as we got all hooked up we called daddy and got to talk to him for a little bit before.
My lame attempt to cheer her up when she was missing her daddy... banana bread and juice.
While we wait to see our attending oncologist Rylie is started on an hour of IV fluids. The chemotherapy Rylie receives can pose some possible risks to the liver and kidneys so it is important she stay hydrated throughout this process. Getting her fluids is usually the calm before the storm, we are able to cuddle up and enjoy a movie before we get down to the nasty part of the day. Then, we are off to the treatment room to start the chemotherapy. Believe it or not Rylie actually really looks forward to moving to the back... there are LOTS of toys and goodies back there... and our favorite Nurse Miss Becky. I don't know who loves her more, Rylie or us. These nurses have become like family to us, I don't know what else to call them. They have literally walked us through some of the worst and scariest moments in our lives. Seeing there faces each month brings a sense of calm to this entire process. In just 3 short months we have become so comfortable with them, it's hard to imagine trusting anyone else with our girl.
Our Favorite Nurse Miss Becky. Always willing to play and be silly :)
So, we get some medicine, play, get some more fluids, de-access, pick up our perceptions, and then head for home!!!
Two of her favorite things... a sucker and a quick nap
This round was a little tougher on our sweet ladybug. She has been battling some nausea and just over all feeling pretty crummy. Hopefully, this next week will go quickly and we can get her feeling better in time for the 24th of July celebrations! :)
Thank you all again for all of your love and support... with your help we know we will make it through this year!
FIGHT- CONQUER- WIN!
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