Chemo/Spinal Tap

Grace had chemo and a spinal tap yesterday. It's amazing how she handles it all. The night prior to chemo she was up all night with her leg pains that she gets from her medicine. And, then of course she has to fast prior to her spinal tap, so she was one tired, hurting girl. Still, she pushed on and was so strong and brave for her chemo day. She did an amazing job accessing her port (in just one minute!!!!!!!!). The spinal tap is her least favorite part because the sedation medicine bothers her, but she just trusted me, layed calmly in my arms and let it happen. I don't think we'll ever be used to laying her on that bed and allowing them to inject chemo into her spine. When we see her sedated there, our hearts just burst. But, she is amazing through it every time. Grace's blood counts were lower than her last appointment-at 1.1 (which is good-it means her medicine is doing just what it should). Typically when they give Grace chemo they inject the medicine into her spine and also withdrawl spinal fluid to test for Leukocytes (Leukemia in her spine-which thank heavens-never crossed into her blood/brain barrier). This time they could only give her the medicine, but not test her fluid. The smaller needle we opt to use so she doesn't get her spinal tap headaches wasn't cooperating-needless to say her back is pretty sore. So, in terms of her chemo treatments, things are going well and she's right on course. We're so thankful she's responding so well to her medicine and it's curing her of Cancer. We were excited when the doctor gave us an official date. Only 4 or 5 more spinal taps and of course many more chemo treatments and medicine, but if all continues on course, Grace will officially be done with Cancer treatments on October 16, 2010!