Ending Round 3

Thanks to all the prayers Katelyn's fever didn't spike at 101! We were very glad when her body fought off the fever. If it had spiked we would have had to do blood cultures and start her on antibiotics, which she would have had to stay on until her ANC recovers from this round of chemo. It would have been a pain, and Todd and I want her on the least amount of drugs possible. As I mentioned in a previous post, there are more side effects to this chemo; thankfully the only abnormal side effects Katelyn is experiencing is nausea (which is a bummer) and for a few hours after the chemo she gets a small rash on her head. It's not really a rash, her skin gets red and blotchy. It resolves itself within a few hours so we haven't had to give her anything for it or worry too much about it. The nausea is a bummer though. She can only have three doses of her anti-nausea a day, and it's spread just a bit too far. If she could have four, I think it would be perfect. We added another anti-nausea med at night to help with the time lapse, and it is combined with benadryl. Needless to say, Kate has slept a little better the last few nights.

She only has three more doses of chemo in this round. Today at 4pm and 5pm, and then tomorrow at 4am. The 4 O'Clock chemo kicks her butt. It is called Ara-C (well, that is the acronymn for the real name). Since the drug is so strong it comes out in all bodily fluids. With the first two rounds of chemo we didn't have to worry about tears and saliva. I wasn't allowed to change diapers as the chemo does come out in urine and feces. This round is so much more potent that I can't even have her sneeze or cry one me. Although we don't share utencils or drinks anyway, I especially can't eat or drink after her. The doctor said that the intensity of the chemo that Kate is getting is stronger than they can give any adult. Kids bodies are so much stronger than ours. I do my best to stay away from the bodily fluids, mostly for the sake of baby number two. Katelyn has to have eye drops four times a day during this chemo. As I mentioned it comes out in bodily fluids, it also can affect her eyes and cause conjunctivitis. The drops prevent that from happening. They don't hurt and she always says she's ready for them, but she cries because it's scary. I think she thinks we are going to poke her in the eye. She has been a champ through it, as soon as we're done she sits up and says she's ok and it doesn't hurt. She is incredible. A lot of the time Todd or I put visine in before we do hers just so she can see that we do drops too. Katelyn is amazing, and I feel incredibly blessed to have her as my daughter.

Just to remind you all, the Dinner & Auction is this Saturday! If Kate is feeling well enough Todd and I will both be in attendance. I hope she is, as I think it will be fun.

Julian High School
Live & Silent Auction with Dinner
5:00 PM
$20 Donation

I hope to see all of you there!!!