We are now home much to everyone's relief. It has been hard to find time to blog this evening because of the amount of food Catherine is eating! I put her to bed at 7pm and at 9.30pm she was asking for 'lots of cucumber'. At 10.30pm she was asking for 'rice, peas and chicken'. She is eating huge quantities of food because of the steroids, and talks about food pretty much all day long. Her cheeks and tummy are certainly seeing the effects of all the food. However, this is a minor side effect of the treatment, and although Catherine is finding being hungry all the time annoying, at least she is not in any distress. Catherine was very pleased to be home, and today asked me why everyone was bringing her cards and presents. I think she was puzzled because it wasn't her birthday. We had to explain that it was because everyone was happy to see her out of hospital.
We spent the afternoon making a sticker chart like the one Catherine had in hospital (her idea). Every time she has medicine or a procedure, she will get a sticker and at the end of two weeks she gets a small gift. Today she has four stickers - she had two 'nasty medicines' and two 'very sweet medicines'.
As long as she doesn't show any signs of infection, our next appointment at hospital is Thursday when Catherine will be given more chemotherapy drugs. If the bone marrow test from last week was successful, and she has reached the required level, we will not need another test on Friday.
They are also looking at the genetic make up of the leukaemia cells. This is very important as it determines treatment and prognosis. Please continue to pray that Catherine's leukaemia is the most treatable, otherwise they would need to increase the chemotherapy and therefore increase the potential side effects etc.
This is Catherine's story: Expect Miracles
This is Catherine's blog. Catherine is now six years old and is in remission from leukaemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia - ALL). Leukaemia is a rare yet treatable form of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. This blog began at the start of her treatment in August 2008. The treatment lasted until October 2010. She went into remission remarkably early and the treatment was focussed on making sure the disease never returned. Over 15000 people have prayed for Catherine during the past three years for which her parents are deeply grateful. So many people love Catherine that it was hard to update everyone, so her parents began this blog to keep everyone updated. Catherine is the daughter of two Salvation Army Officers in the UK. This blog is a place to be updated, to send wishes to the parents and basically for everyone who knows Catherine (or doesn't) to be able to find out more about her progress. Feel free to post comments, concerns and questions. All prayers for Catherine at this time continue to be warmly received by her parents and Catherine's extended family. Catherine is now receiving blood tests and will be monitored regularly until she is ten-year-old when she will be give the official 'all clear'. Her parents especially welcome readers who are experiencing a child dealing with any form of cancer. Their prayer is that this blog will help them in their journeys.
Catherine aged 3
Doing her favourite thing - eating fruit!
.JPG)
More photos of Catherine when younger...
Having fun
Our family
1 comment:
Barry and Cindy are reading this while you are all fast asleep! We cannot tell you how thrilled we are that you are home, and we continue to pray for all three of you.
Post a Comment