Two Weeks; Chemo #4

Call me crazy, but I think Avery is really starting to like the Hospital!

We made it through another round of Chemo yesterday! It's such a long drive, but they were quick to get us in & out in 2 hours. The doctor came and spoke to us and wanted to know how Avery's been doing & the side effects she's been having. About an hour before we made it to the hospital her feet began really bothering her. They were so swollen. We stopped for her to us the bathroom and she was not able to walk. Both feet had swollen up so much that her little toes you could barely see with all the puffiness going on. They were really hurting her, I was hoping that someone wouldn't come ask us what was going on in the bathroom to make this little girl cry so much. Back in the car I tried to elevate her feet to see if that would help. We had already given her pain medicine 2 hours before, so it was to soon for that. I asked the Doctor about this and she just said it's yet another side effect of the steroids, along with her belly being hard & bulging, swollen face, increase appetite (she wants lots of pizza, any hour, any time), change in taste buds (doesn't like sugar anymore, that's crazy for her), change in mood/behavior. While on steroids they want them to gain 5 to 10 lbs to be able to handle the times they won't feel like eating or if they get mouth sores & can't eat. Basically for the feet, there isn't anything we can do to ease the pain. She has barely walked these last two days. It's so sad. The Doctor told us once she had to be on steroids for 7 days after 3 days she quit taking them. She just couldn't take it anymore. I said really, "And you put these poor kids on them for 30 days straight".

Accessing the port was scary again for her. The child life specialist was trying to help me distract her. Avery just kept saying are they going to poke me again? Are they? Are they? I said it was only going to take a minute and that's way we numbed it. When they got the needle inserted she still was crying, "Are they going to poke me again". It was all over they were withdrawing her blood and then started giving her the Chemo. Her blood work came back good. Her HCT (Hematocrit) which is the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells was 23.1, last week was 28.3 as long as it's over 20 they don't need to do a blood transfusion. Her ANC was 800, which is up from the 500 from last week. She's been very tired & weak, had lots of stomach pain, her belly has had some problems & then her feet are swollen & it hurts her to walk.

Thursday May 5th, 2011: Something that made us laugh:)

Mom: Avery there are so many people that love & care about you. I got a gift from work today to give you. There was a present left in my car today just for you from Addie in your pre-school class. The Primary leaders want to come visit & bring you a present. And Macie & Sadie want to come & see you & bring a surprise. You are so lucky that so many people care about you so much.
Avery: Wow mom, sounds like we're going to have a full house. And then as sweet as could be, I'll share some of my gifts with Kelsi. She needs some too. Thanks sweetheart for making mom smile:) Dad, me, Grandma & Grandpa Adams all got a kick out of it.

We are very grateful to the long list of people who have showed their love & support to our family. We thank you for making all this a little bit easier by your encouraging words, service, prayers, visits, thoughtful cards, dinners, fundraisers for Avery, plays dedicated to her, special gifts for Avery and every one's love & concern.