Chemo break

Although Olivia is on a chemo break for 2 weeks, all the medicine she's been taking is starting to take a toll on her. Olivia has not been playful and active for the past couple days. She has been complaining of stomach pains (chemo side effect), gets irritated so quickly probably because she gets tired so fast too. She has been sleeping a lot this week, which is good. Usually when she's irritated, she would take short naps during the day and that would make her feel a bit better. Today she was just so tired that she slept early and was not able to eat dinner. She probably had 3 naps all day and yet it was not enough. I would like her to eat something but sleep is better for now.

I feel helpless when I see her in pain. She would always just tell me to stay with her. I would hug her for a long time hoping it will make her feel better. The next phase of chemo (Delayed Intensification), which is the worst part as I was told, has not even started yet. I hope and pray Olivia keeps the strong fighting spirit. I continue to pray for our family's strength too. This is when she would really need us the most.

We heart Olivia!

Today, Olivia received a bunch of 'hearts' from all her friends and teachers from school! It made her so happy! Mommy helped her read all her cards one by one. All the hearts were so creative! Special shout out to her best friend, Elyse! She had a big smile when she saw the card from her. Thank you so much everyone for making Olivia feel so special!Truly made her day =)

Done with Interim Maintenance 1

Today marks the end of the third phase of treatment. Her blood counts were good and so she was able to get chemo. I'm so proud of Olivia that she just had 1 delayed chemo session for this phase. Next phase will start in a couple weeks as long as her blood counts are good. I'm already starting to get nervous with the upcoming chemo treatment, as it is the most intense one. She will be getting most of the same medication she was getting during the first month of diagnosis, but at a higher dosage. There will be a time where she will be getting chemo for consecutive days too. For those of you who recall her first month, it was really a tough one. She was very moody, always hungry, and gets tired so quickly. At least we can say we know now what to expect and we'll be prepared for it.

Olivia has been tip-toeing while she walks for the last couple days. If I ask her why she walks like that, she says it's because she can't walk. I asked her doctor about that today and he says it's because of the chemo she's taking. We were not able to go to physical therapy after chemo because she got so tired and fell asleep right after chemo. We'll try to go again during our next hospital visit.

Here are some pictures from today. She received her Ella Barbie from her nurse because she was such a good girl today. It's the bald Barbie that comes with wigs. She actually loves it! One of the wigs is neon pink and she's already requesting me to get one for her too!

Home for Valentines

Olivia was finally able to come home on Friday afternoon after a 3-day stay at the hospital. Although still congested, she's feeling a lot better. She'll be able to rest and recover at home. She said she missed her brother and her bed =)

Happy hearts day everyone!

Need sleep

I feel bad for Olivia because she is having a hard time sleeping due to congestion. She's been up all day and we just gave her Benadryl to help her congestion and to try to get her to sleep. Good news is that she's been fever free for more than 24 hours and her lungs are clear. She might be able to come home tomorrow as long as blood cultures are negative for infection.

Today she gave me a really big tight hug! I feel rewarded =) It can get tough especially now that I'm back to work and at the same time attending to the needs of my other child. I can't really complain though. I know things could be worse. I am just glad Olivia has no fever. I hope this virus goes away pretty soon.

3rd hospitalization

We are at the ER with Olivia at 5am waiting to be admitted. This is her 3rd hospitalization due to an infection since diagnosis about 3 1/2 months ago. The last time was around Christmas time.

Olivia woke up with a 101 fever earlier this morning. She's been congested and coughing since yesterday and just looking at her, she doesn't look well. She went to bed with a 99 degree temperature. I knew it will only be a matter of time before we make that phone call to the doctor. When her temp goes to at least 100.3, that's when we call.

This time all our bags were all ready to go. I prepared them about month ago as soon as we got home from last hospitalization. It really helps to be organized. While waiting for the doctor to call us back for instructions, we got ourselves ready and even had enough time to throw in Olivia's favorite sinigang on slow cooker. It should be ready for lunch today!

Chemo done for the day

Olivia just finished her chemo and is doing well. Just waiting for her to wake up then we'll be heading back home.

Thanks to her baby dolls for keeping her company. Snow White and Cinderella have good fashion sense sporting their beanie and bandana!

Livi's day out

This morning, I told Olivia that we will be bringing her brother to school and that she can see her teachers too! She was so happy and excited! She was screaming "Yay! I'm going out!!!" She stayed inside the car while her teachers came outside to say hi. Thank you so much to her teachers! You made Olivia so happy! Great way to start her day. Now, off to the hospital we go!

Tinker-Livi

I am amazed how such a sweet and caring girl Olivia is growing up to be. Whenever I offer to give her something she needs, she never fails to tell me to give some to her brother too. She always checks up on us if we are alright. I know she gets her strength from us and definitely from prayers, but what she might not know is that we get our strength from her amazing will power and such positive outlook!

You can tell she's lost a lost of weight, but actually she's just back to where she was before she got sick. Now that I look back at her pictures from her first month of treatment, I can't believe how much weight she gained then!

This was her 2 months ago. She had the cutest chubby cheeks!

This is her now. She's loving her tinkerbell costume, she doesn't want to take it off! This whole tinkerbell idea is actually helping because I tell her that her food is the pixie dust and it will make her fly!

She had blood counts taken yesterday and everything is looking good! Her next chemo is on Monday. It's been a little over a month since she's been sedated for chemo. I have no doubt that she will do good!