Chemo Treatment #2

This is what the port looks like with the bandages, when we leave
the bandages will be removed.

Today Avery started her second round of Chemo treatment called Asparaginase at about 11:00. They then have to monitor her for at least 2 hours for any side effects. She gets steroids twice a day and on Monday & Tuesday she gets Septra this helps to prevent a certain type of pneumonia. She gets lots of medicine and at home we will start giving them to her. Before Chemo they always draw blood to check all her levels to make sure she doesn't need blood transfusions. Today her WBC (White Blood Count) was only .8, yesterday it was 1.4 & normal is 5.5 to 15.5. Her ANC, which tests how good her body can fight off an infection was back down to 300. In the ICU, if it gets below 500 they don't even let the children leave the room. She handled the Chemo really well today and she really wants to go home.

She's getting really good at handling her cart of med's and IV lines. When I help her to the restroom she sometimes want to go a lot faster then the IV lines will reach. I have to remind her to slow down. She's getting more used to her port, which is where she receives her Chemo. The port is used to draw blood or give medicine. Their is a special needle that is inserted through her skin and into the port when she gets treatments. She has IV lines in still and Friday will be the first time they insert the needle in the port. The first time will be fun for us, but she's tough and I'm sure it will get better. Today they took off the bandages on her port since surgery, which was taped up good and had lots of cotton balls. She did not like this. And again was upset with the nurses. If everything goes well, we may be able to leave later on today! Yeah! Let's hope it will happen!