Initial Chemo - Cycle 2 & Stem Cell Harvest

January 2, 2012

Hospital Check-In Day. (Rosie has a cough so there might be delays with surgery/treatments.) Hope you all had a great new year start. It was nice to be home.

Rosie's condition improved this afternoon. No fever for 24 hours and has increased energy. Still need to drink and eat more.

January 3, 2012
Due to her cough, the Femoral line surgery and WBC harvest delayed until next Chemo cycle. But she needs her Central line done next week so she can begin the 2nd set of Chemo. The harvested WBC will be transplanted back to her after her 4th to 6th set of Chemo. The Chemo will be very strong to replace the strength of Radiation therapy and will affect her stem cells. She need to recover from her respiratory infection first before any surgery to prevent pneumonia from anaesthesia.

Enjoying some toys from the playroom. Due to her cough, she had to stay in her room for the whole week. She did well with toys, TV, and laptop.

We might be sent home tomorrow. :)

January 4, 2012

The doctors decided to continue with her Chemo by inserting a PICC line on her arm (Like a regular IV). They can insert it without putting her into general anaesthesia, just a local one.

So we're not going home after all. That's okay at least we don't have to come back next week. Rosie was weak this morning but is feeling better this afternoon even with her cough.

January 5, 2012 

New hat and scarf from Grandma

Surgery booked tomorrow morning. She is recovering well that they might be able to do the central venous line under general anaesthesia. Chemo starts right after surgery.

January 6, 2012

~ Currently in OR for her central line. God please watch over her.

~ Surgery went well. She's enjoying her food and cartoon shows while they start her 2nd set of chemo. Thanks for everyone's continuous prayers, have a great weekend!

January 8, 2012

My heart is still going fast...Rosie started coughing from her cereal and I was scared she could choke and stop breathing so I lifted her from her chair. Next thing I noticed one of her IV line was disconnected so her nurse came and left to set a new line. As we sat back in bed, noticed blood dripping down her pants and another one of her 5 IV lines came off from her line. Good thing grandma went running to the Nurse Station. Had 3 nurses help us out. All lines have been fixed and connections taped, it's a good thing Chemo wasn't running on the lines yet 'coz that will be very bad. We plan to stay in bed now for the rest of the evening. That's enough excitement we need in a day.

January 9, 2012

Trying a new look

Packing up to go home soon

January 13, 2012

Early start on the road, time for Rosie's weekly outpatient chemo.

Winter drive went well and chemo and dressing change went smoothly. Rosie has low WBC (low immunity) so we are staying home for the weekend. Need to be healthy so her surgery for Jan. 24th won't be delayed. Have a great weekend everyone!

January 16, 2012

We went today for a check-up with her neurosurgeon. No concerns, her incisions healed well. Lord, We Thank You!

January 17, 2012

~ Our roller coaster life: back at sickkids. Rosie spiked a fever. Her WBC very low at 1.0. better if. above 2.0 and Hbg is also low requiring transfusion and admission. We pray for her recovery so they can cont. with her surgery on Mon.

~ Thanks again for your ongoing prayers. Rosie is feeling better tonight.

January 18, 2012

Rosie has been fever free over 24 days. wbc still low at 0.3 and she is doing better today. Spent the day in the playroom.

January 19, 2012 

~ WBC gone up to 3.5, yippee! Rosie has some sore throat today :( and her platelets dropped at 7. She needs another transfusion.

~  Rosie slept almost until noon today. Got excited from dad's visit last night. Her throat is not bothering her this afternoon. Transfusion went well.

January 20, 2012

Rosie having her last weekly chemo for cycle 2 of 6. Possibly home for the weekend. Then back Monday for her stem cell (wbc) surgery/harvest and then start of cycle 3. Thank you Lord for always looking after Rosie. Have a great weekend everyone!

Her Intensive (cycle 4 to 6) Chemo starts on mid-Feb. It's a different selection of Chemo drugs that are stronger than what she gets now. Currently, Rosemary is doing well despite of her low blood works earlier this week. The transfusions & meds helped her a lot. Her blood results were good today. She's happy and playful. Now at home enjoying her toys. Thank God for Sick Kids hospital. We pray for an uneventful and healthy weekend.

January 22, 2012

Time for bed, early on the road tomorrow for Rosie's surgery and transplant. Thanks for everyone's continuous love and prayers.

January 23, 2012

Rosie's femoral line surgery went well. She's cheerful and hungry for fasting all day. We just have to keep her flat in bed for the next few days while she has it to prevent complications. it's tough. at least they only need it during her stem cell harvest for 2 days then will take it off. She's been good cooperating tonight.

January 24, 2012

Machine that filtered her Stem Cells out of her blood. Similar to dialysis.

Rosie had to lay flat for 6 hours during her stem cell harvest. She had some restless moments but she did very well. Thank God they collected enough, we can go home tonight and just return for chemo on Fri.

January 26, 2012

Rosie's Breakthrough: First time she didn't fear the visiting nurse and even cooperated while the nurse flushes her central line. She always amazes me!

Also See Highlight # 3 - Halfway Chemo