Today's chemo

Something on the night before chemo is amiss at our house. JR and I can always tell when chemo is the next day, because for some reason no sleep is to be found. Sweet Gracie couldn't sleep much because she had such bad aches. Ever since chemo first started, her Vincristine makes her muscles and joints aches. But, we found it strange that she hadn't had chemo in a month and it still affects her. It makes me wonder if it's something she'll suffer with the rest of her life, or if (hopefully) it will pass in a year and a half when treatments are finally over. Eva woke up with the roosters at the crack of dawn, and today managed to jump out of her crib. The thud on the floor was rattling!

Chemo went pretty well today. Her blood counts are higher than the doctors would like, because during maintenance they want them to consistently be between 750 and 1500. But, they think the month's worth of chemo will take care of that. She has been fighting a stomach bug, so that's most likely the reason for the higher count of 2500. Her numbers spike a bit when she's not feeling 100%. Otherwise chemo went very fluently. Grace set a new record today!!! Accessing her port (needle into her chest port) is really tough for her, but she did it in 8 minutes flat! WOW! We have a system for accessing her port and so that she can be in control-the nurse doesn't come near with the needle until Grace counts to 3. When she got to two she was having trouble and I said "all I know is any girl who can ride SPlash Mountain (thank you Disneyland!) at the age of 5 can do anything!" She shouted out 3!!! She constantly amazes me with her fortitude and bravery! Her nurse was cheering. So awesome! She starts her monthly round of steroids tonight. Things are going pretty well for little Grace. By the way, highlight of the Disneyland trip (thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa!) besides all the wonderful things, was to hear Grace state, "I don't even feel like I have Leukemia." Music to our ears!