Macoweeni and Peas Sandwich

Good Appetite

Rena has an amazing and strange appetite today.  She started the day with oatmeal and a hard boiled egg, moved on to chicken noodle soup after about an hour, then smoked salmon, and now macaroni and sliced hot dog sandwich.  For the latter she requested a hot dog bun on which to place her macaroni and sliced hot dogs (keep in mind - Nate and I are vegetarians).  She calls it her macoweeni and peas sandwich. 

Post Day 8 Treatment

Day 8 was rough. It was a very long and difficult day for Rena.  Every child responds to the treatments a little bit differently and we are working with the doctors and nurses to minimize Rena's discomfort based on her specific response to treatment. We are told that this first period will be the most difficult and that things will improve with each visit.  For now exhausted Rena is sleeping peacefully.  We have a whole week until her next treatment and are very glad she will have several days to recuperate.     Her appetite returned this morning and she was able to eat a hard boiled egg and oatmeal.  She demands her hard boiled egg and oatmeal every morning.  It's really cute.

Day 8 treatment tomorrow

Rena has just gone to sleep and we are planning for a big day at the outpatient Cancer Clinic tomorrow.  There will be more tests and other not so fun things happening, but the clinic is designed especially for children and we are sure Rena will receive excellent care just as she did during her stay.  It's tough for Rena to think about going back after only a few days at home.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

It's good to be home

It's very nice to be home.  Rena is doing pretty well and is able to relax in a way that just wasn't possible in the hospital.  She is being a real trooper and taking all of the icky medication when asked.  Her throat is becoming a little sore, which happens with some of the chemotherapy agents, and she is feeling somewhat achy and tired. Rena is taking it easy today relaxing on the couch and watching some of our favorite TV shows that we missed while in the hospital this week. I'm busy trying to organize the 20 pounds of hospital paperwork and taking care of a few things around the house.

Headed Home TODAY!!!

We are all very glad to be heading home today and right now we are trying to be patient as the discharge papers go through.  Thanks to Marylou and Nate, Rena will have a very clean bedroom and bathroom to come home to.

We will have a few days rest at home and return to the clinic on Friday for additional treatment. We are overwhelmed by the love and support of our friends and family. Thank you again!

Post by Rena

Hi!  I'm glad to be going home tomorrow because I'm tired of having tubes constantly hanging from me. I'm glad to be going to bed because I'm tired. Thank you for the gifts and balloons and prayers and messages. 
Rena

Goodbye Blasts!

Something that we're realizing is that we need to become proficient with understanding Rena's bloodwork. We receive the blood results each morning and we have started charting a variety of blood counts. These include: white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelets, absolute neutrophil count, and blasts. Each of these give us an indication of how Rena's body is responding to Chemo, and where her immune system is at.

This morning we were happy to hear that the Chemo, which started a few days ago, has decreased the blast count (or immature white blood cells) by 89%. Were hoping to have them down by 100 % tomorrow, and if that happens (and a few other things look stable) we can finally come home from the hospital.

Day 2

Rena is having a better day.  However she is alternating between being very sleepy and very nauseous.  Nate and I have started keeping a detailed journal of all the medications and how they effect Rena so that we can help the doctors find the right balance.  We already know which are our favorite nurses and Rena is speaking right up when she wants them to do things a certain way.

The hospital room is filled with presents and balloons which have all helped to keep Rena cheered up - thanks again everyone.  Nate's mom brought a large framed picture of Nate, Rena, and I at Christmas time and we've hung it on the wall.  She has her special cow boy blanket on the bed as well.  We are doing our best to make her comfortable.  

Hoping for a good day tomorrow so that Rena can relax and revive her spirits.

Day 1 of Rena's Chemotherapy

Hello Everyone!  There are so many people that love Rena!  So I am starting a blog to help communicate with everyone as much as possible.

Yesterday Rena went into surgery to have a central line put in so that it will be easier to administer the chemotherapy agents and to draw blood.  She spent the night recuperating from that.

Today Rena is beginning her first day of Chemotherapy.  The doctors are following sophisticated treatment plan that will last over a year.  8 months of which will be more intense, but after that it will be maintanance.  The drugs seem mostly to be making her feel very tired and a bit icky. 

Rena is in a very excellent hospital.  She could not receive better care.

We are grateful for all of the well wishes, notes, messages, balloons, presents, and most of all your prayers. They mean alot!