Clinic Day 3-1-11

Procedure Day for intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate). Everything went as scheduled, Mimi even got a foot massage right before we went down. She woke up shortly after the procedure, asked for a munchkin and off home we went. It is weird how routine these things have become, I still get knots in my stomach before she goes under, but it doesn't scare her she knows what the plan is and just goes with it.

Her counts were great ANC was 2200.

Oh and one more BIG thing. Mimi asked when will she be done taking chemo and the official date right now is November 6th, 2011. Seems surreal.

Winter Wonderland at Camp Sunshine

On Tuesday (2/22) we made a quick trip to clinic for counts which were great so with giant smiles on every one's faces we filled the car up and off on our adventure we went. The whole time the girls thought we were going to visit Auntie Tracy for a couple of days. They were getting a bit suspicious asking why we need our pillows, towels and a bunch of outfits. Mimi and Iza were very confused as to why there were bathing suits packed, I was able to somehow make answers up. Wednesday we woke up ate and back in the car we went I told the girls to take a long nap, when they woke up Mimi read a sign that said we were in Maine. A couple miles later she saw a sign that said "CAMP SUNSHINE" with an arrow to turn left. All three were screaming "Turn LEFT Turn Left!!! Can we go there??? Can We stay!!! Pleaseeee" To which Tracy and I replied "Sure!"

Three Very Happy Campers

It was so great to be back! The girls ran around looking for counselors from the summer and were overjoyed to find some of their favorite people. I kept another secret, one of Mimi's friends from clinic was coming to camp as well the girls were all happy to see each other.

The five days were filled with winter activities; ice skating, snow shoeing, horse drawn slay rides, walks in the snow, sledding. Aside from outside fun the girls enjoyed games, arts and crafts and the indoor pool, Iza and Mimi got to go daily and loved it! The talent show was such a hit! Iza sang Baby by Justin Bieber she brought her J.B. pillow up on the stage with her. Mimi did three cart wheels. While Magi went right up and sang Three Little Monkeys, no fear of the audience at all. We were all equally tired at the end of each night.

The Gang

While the kids were off doing their activities with some wonderful counselors, adults got fun time also, as well as some time to be able to meet and talk to other parents who understand, relate and share their stories.

We had such an amazing summer session last year that I wondered how the winter session will be and it was so wonderful. It truly was a Winter Wonderland. We got about 16 inches of snow during one of the days, it was beautiful to just sit at the fire place in the dining hall and look out the window as the snowflakes were dancing.

Gorgeous View of frozen Sebago Lake.

Once Again Thank You Camp Sunshine and everyone who makes it possible we can't wait to go back!!!

we are counting down the days until March 18th when we go back for a special Twin with Cancer weekend.

Colors.

A new found love for finger painting.

All girls at Home.

I did not have to explain to Iza why she had to go to school and Mimi did not because Iza ended up with a fever Monday night so all the girls have been home. Iza has been really funny at night the fevers are causing her to have full our conversations while she is sleeping. Tuesday night she was chasing someone in the hallway, she got me out of bed to help her, it was more of a nightmare but she laughed about it in the morning. Last night she kept talking about taking pictures at Sea World, Disney and something about ketchup.

They are not too miserable but since Iza's fever has been coming and going Since Monday night I have kept her home, Magi is stuffy and sneezy, Mimi on the other hand has been the healthiest of them all. She has been reading books to Iza and Magi, playing Uno, Go Fish, writing notes. So learning is still happening even though they are not in school.

They are getting a vacation before their school vacation.

Fever.

Yes. It has been a while, almost a year. But it decided to creep up on us Sunday night. Mimi went from fine to all sorts of pain and fever in about an hour. Her biggest complaint was her leg she could not walk on it, I remember this happened last year during fevers also. It took me a minute to find my thermometer which read 100.7, while I was dialing the on-call Onc. it kept going up higher. She was miserable at home and the drive there but perked right up with Tylenol and Kyle "the man with the crafts and movies." She had a pretty good night we both slept through all the vitals, I made sure they actually came in because I did not remember and neither did Mimi.

In the morning she seemed fine and then fever came back again, 102.9, came down with Tylenol but as soon it was wearing off fever was back. She spent the day taking cat naps, seeing some friends, making crafts. Her blood counts were not terribly low so that was not a concern. At some point in the morning she had a flu swab, a tiny q-tip in the nose, she was not a fan. Results showed she in face did have the flu so we had the option to stay another night or go home with a box of Tamiflu. Mimi chose home sweet home!

Her chemo is on hold, so for now we will just do the Tamiflu and Tylenol as needed for fever. Spinal Tap has been rescheduled. Also no school, which is really hard for Iza because "that is NOT fair!"

Magi had a lovely date day with Daddy she keeps telling me she wants to go on dates all the time, I am not sure if Dan knows what he started... She went to the mall, got her hair trimmed, picked out valentine gifts for everyone and also had lunch.

Wish List for Camp Sunshine.

In the mail this week we got a newsletter from Camp Sunshine. The girls were interested in the stories most of them were about all the donations the camp receives. On the back of the newsletter was the camp's wish list. Both girls decided they want to use their money and buy some things on the list and drive it to camp.

We will be shopping this week and filling a box of arts and crafts supplies, birthday candles, stickers and whatever else the girls think of. If anyone else would like to contribute to our Wish List box for Camp Sunshine let us know :)

What the girls DON'T know yet is that the week of Winter Vacation they WILL be going to Camp Sunshine for the winter session. I have not told them yet so far I have been able to keep it a secret. I can't wait to see their faces when they find out. They have been asking to go back almost daily, they wished it while they blew out their birthday candles and even asked Santa!

Snow Happenings.

Since Christmas there has not been a full week of school. I am hoping that this week will be a full week, that the letter of the week "D" gets a full five days, and that we can return to our regular scheduled chaos.

We have been quite busy, reason why had no time to update. We have all enjoyed the snow, yes I said WE ALL. I think I like it more this year because I am not watching it from the hospital windows like we were last year. So fat this year we took full advantage of the cold New England outdoors as well as the the craft closet indoors.


Last week Mimi has a clinic visit for counts, on the worst snow day, we figured if the awesome nurses can get there so can we! Clinic went well Mimi's counts did not change much since last time ANC was 1400. She is still on 50% of her dosage of her daily Mercaptopurine. We go back on the 15th for a spinal tap, I did not tell Mimi yet since last time she spent two weeks looking at the calendar being upset about it. We will just focus on Valentine's Day for now!

Our Snow Happenings in Pictures...

We melted crayons into hearts.

Nice to keep little hands busy peeling wrapping off the crayons.

The girls made a three layer cake for Chris & Meg's 1st wedding anniversary.

The were very excited to play Cake Boss.

Newspapers in the making. This one they came up on their own to stall bedtime before yet another snow day they stayed up making newspapers out of newspapers.

Sledding!!! Magi's first time and she loved every second, she is a dare devil just like her sisters.

Iza and I walked out to the fresh deep snow and made a giant heart path.

This is a hawk. Something we usually don't see outside of out kitchen window. We watched him have his lunch this day it was pretty amazing, although it was "just a bird eating a bird" to the three year olds.