We are home and we are done! And, it has been bitter-sweet. Michellie and I arrived to St. Martha's to start for 10 am. Before we left the house Michellie broke out in hives which lasted to the hospital. Once there, they decided to give her some antacid medication for the incredible acid stomach she had been enduring for the last 4 days. She was put on IV for fluids for two hours, and then also asked to swallow the antacid medication, and given Benedryl (which Michellie really stresses about). For all of you who know Michellie and her inability to swallow pills - they might as well have been golf balls to swallow. She tried her best with applesauce, and it wasn't ten minutes and she began spitting up, then the hives started again. So, after consultations back and forth with the IWK it was decided that they would pull one of her chemo drugs that causes her such incredible hives and welts too, the Bleomycin. We were relieved and so was the chemo nurse. Michellie had a short 15 minute infusion of Vincristin, and then a follow up of more fluids. We were wheeled from the oncology ward which is outpatient only, and down to the children's ward for the evening for observation and fluids. Michellie was trying to be excited about the fact she was really done chemo, but she was groggy from the Benadryl, anxious about hives and nausea and cancer coming back and back aches etc. It wasn't until we had watched a little Oprah and relaxed that she started to feel better and get really hungry. For the first time, of all the stays in the hospital, Michellie didn't want to sit in bed. She wanted to go for a walk. She wanted to eat. She started to giggle. And, then, we found the celebration treat - Ice Cream Drumsticks. Like a kid in a candy store, Michellie lit up with the idea of such a decadent treat after all this time. We bought a second supper, snacks and a Drumstick. Guess what she ate first! And here is a photo of celebration with the dinner that followed the treats!
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| Ah, a celebration dinner and yes, Auntie Char that is the white board you sent. There was a lot of incredible art being produced throughout the evening. We even had some fun with handwriting analysis and the changes that Michellie has experienced with her handwriting from the fall until now. You never know what discussion will come up next with Michellie and her deep thoughts! |
So, after a fairly good nights rest, two nose bleeds and some aching in her spine, Michellie was ready to escape the hospital. We tried to eat breakfast (toast) but it immediately gave her an acidic feeling, followed by nausea, so we skipped eating the rest. We came home with a diet plan to limit the amount of acid production, some more meds, and of course a full blizzard to even things off.
We did make it up the driveway, but there is over a foot of fresh snow and more is swirling around the house as I write. It is a snow day at the school, so Michellie has one less day to miss. It is warm, so if the blizzard stops, perhaps we will be able to take advantage of the fresh white stuff for some more coasting! David has shovelled our path to the door 3 times so far this morning, as well as a small path at the neighbors so she could get out. Who needs the gym when nature calls?!
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We believe that it was Michellie's body that let us know not to add that last chemo, and it was your prayers protecting her and guiding that helped us through. Thank you also for the wonderful emails that have been pouring in with ideas and words of encouragement. Each one lifts us up a little higher and supports us to the next place. You all make such an incredible difference for others with your thoughts, kindness and love. We are tired again today - a nap is definitely in order, and in a few days we should be able to really embrace the idea that we are truly finished with the chemo. Wow!
