Tuesday 19 October 2010

Millie's October 2010 Update

Millie is one SMART cookie and she knows if 2 parents come to clinic with her then she doesn't get our undivided attention, she prefers to have 1 parent take her. This time it was Brady's turn. That doesn't happen very often so it's always a treat for Millie. She loves her daddy time, even if it's while having poisons injected into her little body.
Brady said everything went really well. Millie was able to make her usual craft with Pat. Pat is a volunteer that seems to always be at clinic! I have started to wonder if she lives at the hospital. ;)
Millie and Pat making bracelets (Millie is showing it in the picture, but it's hard to see)
Clinic Stats:
Height: 104 cm
Weight: 16 kg
ANC: 4200
Millie's ANC made a HUGE jump from last month. It was 700 which is way low and now it's 4200, which is too high. While she is in her Maintenance phase they like to keep her ANC at a safe level for her to be out and about, but it can't be at a "normal" level either. It's a constant balancing act.
We have been having a problem with her chemo since she's been in Maintenance. Her blood counts have always been too low to have the full 100% dose that most cancer children have. She was taken totally off everything back in August when we went on our Make A Wish trip since her ability to fight infections was basically 0%. They have slowly moved her back up, but she hasn't been able to handle more then a 75% dose without her counts dropping. These first few months have been so frustrating. I feel like we just can't get in a groove and once that happens maybe life will start to feel semi normal again.
They have put her back on a full 100% dose and will check her blood counts in 2 weeks to see how she's doing. I hope we get this all figured out soon, Millie just doesn't handle it well and I hate seeing her sick from it. She was up all night throwing up and her legs were really achy. I felt so bad for her and there was nothing I could do. Every time we gave her medicine to help with the nausea or her aches she would throw it right back up. It broke my heart. She was just standing there in the middle of the night covered in vomit and crying about how she hates this. She kept saying, "I hate this mommy, I hate this". The poor thing was so exhausted already from being at the hospital and she just wanted to sleep.
She is doing better now, but Cancer Sucks.
AND NOW
for Millie's hair growth
Isn't she cute!
i LOVE those cheeks, I just want to pinch them!

14 comments:

Brady said...

Boy is she cute!

She spent the morning asking Amanda if it was time to go to the hospital yet. It's odd how much we both enjoyed our time up there getting her chemo.

Thanks to all the wonderful people at Primary Childrens Hospital for always making her time there wonderful!

Kristin said...

Oh, poor little sweetheart, that is so hard to stand by and watch...

Brinley had a very difficult time in the beginning of maintenance too, it took almost a year before we felt like we were in a groove with meds, counts, etc. I think they should warn parents that maintenance is not a walk in the park! I had expected it to be much different than it has been.

Give her a hug for us, and good luck on steroid week!

Missy said...

Oh my, that sounds so terrible. Poor little thing. I hope things start balancing out.

Her hair looks great, she looks like a little pixie. Very sweet.

Anonymous said...

She is so smart :) Im so sorry that she hasnt been feeling good. Poor little thing. She is one tough cookie though and you are tough too having to watch her be so miserable yet being so strong for her. You really are a great example to me. Give Millie hugs from me and Sky. I love those pictures of her, they are darling!

Crystal Isaacson

Chelsea said...

We love Pat the craft lady too! Im sorry Millie was so sick, we should have gotten the girls together for a throw-up party.. sounds like they were both hit pretty hard last week :(

I am LOVING her hair coming in! She is a doll. Love you both! XOXOX

Jodi said...

Just when I think she can't get any cuter, she does. Love her stylish looking short do! Hoping things get sorted out soon in regards to her doses. I hate to think of her being in pain. Love to all of you. xoxo

Lindsey said...

Her hair is coming in so dark! I love it!!! She is so adorable, and so tough!! Keep it up Millie!! We love you guys!

Jesse C said...

She is so cute.

I hope you can find the right balance for her chemo, throwing up is no fun at all.

di said...

Millie looks absolutely adorable, funky and stylish in her short-do and outfit. So sorry she was so sick last week. I have to agree that....CANCER SUCKS!!!!!!!
Grandma Di-Di
A MILLIE FAN!

Emily said...

Breaks my heart:( Cancer does suck!!!! But Millie looks SO darling with her cute little do:) Good job Brady and Amanda...you guys are champs!

lindsay Roscoe said...

I commented yesterday, where did it go?

Briana said...

oh, poor sweet girl!! the thought of her throwing up all night - even her medicine - breaks my heart. hang in there millie! i hope they get the right chemo dosage worked out soon!

Piano Mom said...

Oh Millie, we are so sorry you've been so sick on the chemo! It really stinks to be so sick and it's not fair that these cute little kids have to go through this. No one should have to, but for some reason it is our lot in life. Hang in there Millie!

Amanda, it must be so hard to watch Millie struggle. You must have lost lots of sleep too, you are amazing to keep up the good spirits about everything. You are a wonderful example to us all!

Dani said...

Poor little Millie. I am so glad that you said maint. isn't easy because I had the same thought as you. I just keep counting down to maint. but I will stop and just know that this crappy cancer will be around for another 3 + years. Her hair is adorable! Is pat there early in the day? We have maybe seen her once, but we are usually in the door at the first apt of the day and they never have anything even out yet in the waiting room.
Hope Millie is feeling better!!!