IM-2

Today was clinic! We did the usual check in with vitals and hanging out in the waiting room doing a craft. We got to see a few of our friends! Then we checked into our room. That prior sentence might have sounded like we might actually be going on a vacation! No such luck! Clinic room!

Presley is doing her usual craft and touching everything in the room! I'm still smiling and doing great. But she kept telling me..."My belly says its hungry!" She was starving! No food or drink until the Lumbar Puncture (LP) is done!

 Making stickers, playing with the doctor stuff, using the dry erase makers, and don't forget turning the water on and off in the sink with her foot! When Doctor Fluchel came in for the first time the final ANC was not back. The preliminary was 730. We knew we were going to be close. The doctor did his check up and answered all my questions! Then came back in to tell us that the final ANC was 1000! So we made counts to start the next phase of treatment. I was thankful for a week off but ready to get this next phase started! This phase is just like the phase we did before DI. 5 elevated dosed of methotrexate and Vincristine. Presley handled IM-1 really well and never missed counts. This time around they will continue to elevate the dose of methotrexate and she is coming off of DI (delayed intensification) so her body might not handle it as well. So I signed all the papers giving them my permission to have an LP and a flu shot!

 And we are off with buddy loaded in the backpack and all! From our clinic room to the first floor RTU (rapid treatment unit). I use to hate this place. I still don't love it, but it's starting to warm up to me. We get a lot of reminder calls and pre-operation calls.  The nurses on the other end are now our friends and yes I know them by name. I'm so thankful for all these nurses. They make our time here at Primary Children's the best it can be. Today was no exception.

I'm checked in, got another bracelet for the occasion. Still happy, I'm a trooper. Its now 1:00, they are running late in RTU so we wait! We do a lot of waiting. When Nurse Wendy was checking me in she let me use her radio (I know that's not the name) that they use to talk to the other nurses in the hospital. I called Nurse Becky (in the back) to tell her what snacks to have ready for me. Two bags of Cheetos, Oreo cookies and waffle cookies. This made my day! We love Wendy and Becky! They know me by name and make me so comfortable while I'm getting my LP!
Leaving your baby with a stranger while she goes under anesthesia is a hard thing. Not just once, but I can't even remember how many times she has done this.  But now its not some stranger. It's Doc Fluchel, Wendy (during procedure nurse) and Becky (checking her vitals while she wakes up). As I shut the door behind me today leaving Presley my heart was full. I know these nurses and doctors love Presley and will do what's best for her. I have no doubt about that. They know Pink and Brown is her favorite and always go out of their way for Presley. Can you see why I'm warming up to RTU. I use to dread RTU days. It was just so emotionally draining. It still is but the peace I feel when I had my baby over to those that love her is much better than what I felt the first few times we went to RTU.

Here I am waking up! Look Becky had all my snacks waiting for me. We then made our way back up to clinic to get chemo! 

I am brave! Getting my port sticker off is never my favorite but I feel better when Kristen is doing it!

McDonald's french fries....It was worth the wait!

When we got home she was very concerned why she had 3 band-aids! One for the back poke and one for the port but why another one? We got the flu shot taken care of and she didn't have to feel the poke. Today was a good day, for a clinic day!