Christmas Eve Chemo

We spent Christmas eve morning at the hospital. She had a scheduled spinal tap and chemo that day. Same time last year, Olivia was also at the hospital on Christmas Eve. She was confined in the hospital then for about 2 weeks already due to suspected meningitis. It turned out it wasn't meningitis and we were able to go home on Christmas Eve night after a spinal tap procedure. This year though, we decided to bring her brother with us and made it a family affair. We wanted to show Olivia our support and that families should be together on Christmas Eve as well. She was so brave during the procedure! She didn't even cry when her port was being accessed. It was a quick in and out procedure. Here she is waking up after being sedated for the procedure.   

                                  

Beginning this 3rd cycle of maintenance, her dexamethasone dosage increased because of her weight. We can immediately notice the side effects of the increased dosage as she was more cranky than ever. It was like the first month of treatment all over again. Dexa lasts for 5 days but the side effects appear longer than that. It's hard, but I just always remind ourselves that if we are having a hard time, it is harder for Olivia to go through so many emotions because of the steroids. The other day, our 5 year old son was watching one of Olivia's old videos and he said he missed the old Olivia. It has been so hard for him to witness all of Olivia's side effects from chemo. I just make it a point to always explain that Olivia needs our love during these times more than ever and that it will be over soon.

Wish granted

Olivia's wish was finally granted! Through the Make a Wish Foundation, our family was able to spend a week vacation in Florida where we got to visit a lot of theme parks. Olivia had so much fun! She had the best time ever. She truly deserved it. It was a great experience and I'm glad organizations like this exist. We saw so many kids' wishes being granted as well and it's just truly amazing for all the kids and their families. I am glad Olivia was healthy the whole trip!

                             

Thankful!

It's been a while since my last post. Today as we celebrate thanksgiving,  we think about many things to be thankful for. We are thankful for the gift of life, family and friends. Most especially for Olivia's healing. This week, Olivia will be on her 1st year of remission. Definitely something to celebrate for. God is good!

Olivia is doing well, although she has been experiencing discomfort in her legs again. The other day she was even limping while walking. Tomorrow is chemo day so we will definitely ask about her legs again.

Wishing everyone a happy thanksgiving!

Chemo day and trick-or-treating

We started the Halloween eve with trick or treating around the hospital. There were a lot of kids who joined the event,  in-patient,  out-patient and other patients just visiting for the Halloween.  Good thing Olivia had scheduled chemo so it was hitting two birds with one stone!  All the kids had fun!  We went around the entire hospital and got a lot of goodies! When we got to the pediatric ward where Olivia stays when admitted, It made me sad seeing all the patients that had to be there. One of them was Olivia's friend who usually would be in the hospital too everytime Olivia had to be admitted. It reminded me of the days when we spent most of our time in the hospital and how I wished we were home for events like this. On the other hand,  it made me smile that all the hospital staff from doctors, to nurses,  child life specialists and volunteers did their best to make the kids happy on halloween!

                    

                    

When it was chemo time,  Olivia held on to her Reese's chocolate with her candy bag on her side while getting her port accessed. She cried a little but was happy again as soon as she ate her Reese's!

After the hospital,  we visited her old school to see all her friends in costume!  It made her happy to see them and her teachers again!

Today on halloween,  she gets to pick a different outfit for more trick-or-treating fun! Happy Halloween!

1 year down; 1 1/2 years of treatment to go!

Today marks the first year since Olivia's diagnosis. I still can't believe it's been a year! Leading up to this day, my husband and I had nightmares about Olivia's condition and we think that it's because of all the anxiety remembering what we went through last year at this time. It traumatized us, but looking back we know that God had been preparing all of us for this for a long time in so many ways.

Olivia is doing great and she is scheduled for her chemo this Friday. There's trick or treating at the hospital that she might join when she's done with chemo. Last year she missed all that because of her surgery and she basically just slept all day after surgery on halloween. She didn't even get to wear her halloween costume at the hospital.  This year she will have the best time ever!

It was also a nice surprise to get the letter from Make A Wish foundation this week letting Olivia know that her wish is granted! We are so looking forward for this trip. Wishes really do come true!

Fever Update

Happy to report that Olivia is feeling better! Though she still has a slight cold, her fever only lasted for a night. I'm so happy that her body is healthy enough to fight the viral infection!

Today she had the chance to see her regular pediatrician again after a year for her flu shot. She will continue to see her oncologist for other matters as long as she is under chemo treatment. I was actually surprised that she is able to receive flu shot even under chemo. Her oncologist explained that it is the only vaccine she is allowed to take for now. They advised that she will need to take the flu shot 2 weeks before she will start another cycle of dexamethasone.When she's done with treatment (approx. 1 year and 2 more months), she will be evaluated to find out what vaccines she needs to take / re-take.

As we were walking towards the doctor's office, I got so anxious with the thought of getting her exposed to sick kids in the doctor's office. Good thing there was probably only 1 or 2 other kids in the waiting room. We had the "well kids" room all to ourselves =). One happy germaphobe mama!

First fever since April'15

It's been 5 months since Olivia's last fever. Today Olivia developed a fever of 101.1. We notified her doctor right away. If in the past we have to rush her to the hospital, this time because she is in maintenance, and her most recent blood counts were good, we were allowed to give her Tylenol and monitor her symptoms at home. I have a strong feeling this is just a viral infection.

I'm praying the fever goes away quickly and no bacterial infection develops. Other than that, we are looking forward for Halloween! Last year Olivia missed out on a lot of fun because she was already feeling sick then and we just didn't have a clue on what's going on with her. She also had surgery during Halloween last year for her port.