February, March and April 2013

Madelyn’s school, Mt Erie Elementary, asked her to write a story about perseverance which is the school’s Yearbook theme.  They are going to include photos from her parade and her story.  I thought you all would enjoy reading her story which she titled (all on her own) “My Hard Days.”  I loved hearing what was significant to her about this journey and the parade:

Madelyn doesn't really see her fight against cancer as perseverance.  She was diagnosed when she was four years old.  Fighting cancer is all she knows.  It is (was!) her normal life. 

Madelyn is rockin’ life these days.  She is full of a whole new kind of energy.  This spice and vivacity has permeated us all.  We are all rockin’ life these days. 

She has also started loosing that steroid look and her feet are kicking up in the air again!  She is actually jumping rope!  

Madelyn is able to focus her mind much easier and has been making great strides in her reading.  She continues to create constantly.  Coloring, drawing and now adding writing to her pictures.

Another big Thank You to Jake Whittenberg of King 5 News for the very well done piece:

Madelyn's Parade

 

Madelyn’s first post-treatment appointment… aka OFF CHEMO... included a Complete Blood Count, EKG (to make sure the chemo did not effect her heart), thyroid test, urine test and doctor’s exam.  All were normal.  And her counts were awesome!

WBC 8.4    Platelets 256    Hem 41.2    ANC 6,216

We have not seen counts like that since this whole nightmare began and since, frankly, I even knew what a WBC 8.4 meant.

Her second post-treatment appointment read about the same!

WBC 7.6    Platelets 239    Hem 38.6    ANC 5,062

Her port removal surgery went without a hitch.  She was scared going into the OR (who would not be?) but played it like a pro.  “Mama, I am scared.  Let’s go get it over with.”  Post surgery lasted just a few short hours and finished with a “Mama, I’m gonna throw up.  But it’s ok, let’s take a bucket and go home.”  We made her wait the nausea out a little… but finally she said “it’s ok Mama, let’s go home.”  She had one day of pain pills.  (I mean seriously.  A little pain in one specific spot compared to all over body pain for 2 ½ years.  No biggie).  The very next day we were at a fundraiser for the Anacortes Fire Fighters who were doing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Firefighter Stair climb.

We were at Children's at 6:30am.  Enough said.

Whale and blanket got name tags too.

 Fun nurse.

Gettin' her gown on!

After surgery she spent about an hour in the recovery room and then came to us in her room.

Watching My Little Pony.  Yes, Peter likes it too.

Starting to not feel so good...

See ya!

Shortly after therapy ended we started to taper her medication for her foot and leg neuropathy.  Peter and I were anxious to get her off all drugs.  We started a very slow taper on Feb 9^th (ending a month later).  She has only had minimal pain since.  The only medication Madelyn is on right now is an antibiotic which she will, most likely, stop taking at the end of this month.  She has not been medication free since 2010. 

Life is seriously good.