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Hello Friends,
Lauren is doing well and has had a good month. Her monthly IV chemo went smooth and her bloodwork looked good. We had a nice Thanksgiving and it is amazing the difference a year makes. Last year she was completely bald and frail and she just looked like a cancer kid. This year her hair is still short but you would never know just by looking at her the hard times she has had to endure. She continues to amaze me every day. Last year 2 days after Thanksgiving we were admitted to the hospital for fever and that was our last inpatient hospital stay. As much as I hope and pray it was our last admission ever, I know we are only one fever, one virus, one infection away from being back at the hospital on the 7th floor, where we had to spend way too many days. I am thankful for where we are now and how far she has come.
One piece of positive news is Lauren had her 12-week follow-up ultrasound for her blood clot and the doctors are comfortable dropping her blood thinner shot down from twice a day to once a day. It is a big relief for all of us – especially Lauren. We should be able to stop the shots completely at the end of treatment once her port comes out. Her port makes her more susceptible to developing new blood clots.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.
We are so thankful for the support we
have received from this group.
XOXO,
Shawna
McKinley is doing really great. She's loving school, LOVING dance & enjoying being off chemo meds. It really is amazing how much she's grown, how much she's developed & how much more personality she has since she's stopped chemo. All things are looking great which is wonderful news. We've been very busy with advocating & promoting childhood cancer awareness month & attending a lot of events. We did have one scare at this months appointment but all was confirmed negative with an ultrasound. Myself, a few other "cancer moms" & McKinleys oncologist were all concerned about a vein by where her port was placed especially since she had a clot in the past. But all was confirmed ok with a quick ultrasound (Thank God). I'm not sure I'll ever be able to take a deep breath but I do try too. We are praying for a Halloween at home this year (last year we spent 8 days in the hospital fighting a nasty virus over Halloween). And although the nurses & staff came by her hospital room to trick or treat, I'm actually looking forward to sweating & fighting bugs on Halloween night this year. It's the little things 😉 Thank You as always for keeping McKinley in your thoughts & prayers.
xoxox,
Karen
LAUREN'S CORNER