Dusting in pyjamas

Catherine had a huge panic today when it was time for her to have her bloods taken. It is unpleasant to see her so upset. Her favourite nurse was still on holiday and she now worries if anyone else other than her favourite nurse takes her bloods. She worried Mark today when she asked him to put in her 'wiggly' line instead. He managed to convince her that the nurse was much better at using the portacath than he was.

Otherwise she has had a good day and has been having fun making pictures by glueing and sticking different shapes onto paper. At the moment she is walking round the living room in her pyjamas dusting! What a marvellous helper!!!

We are going to the hospital on Thursday this week where we will meet with the consultant to discuss the next part of Catherine's treatment. She has now completed the induction and consolidation phases, and if her blood counts are ok, she will progress onto the next stage. She will also receive more chemotherapy through her line this Thursday and unfortunately will need to take the steroids again for a week. It is a shame as they are now just about out of her system, but we need to start them again. Thankfully it is only for a week this time so hopefully the mood swings and appetite wont be too excessive, and we wont be cooking all night?

Sometimes at the moment, Catherine either comes and has a cuddle in bed with me at night or wakes me up in the night to go and tuck her in! The problem is that Catherine gets very hot in bed and throws all her blankets off, only to get really chilly again. I also think she feels comforted when I go and tuck her in as she looks so happy when she feels 'all snuggly' again.

On Friday we have an appointment with our specialist nurse who is coming to see us and discuss future protocols for Catherine's treatment.

Please pray that the side effects of the steroids and chemotherapy will be minimal and that she will remain infection free. Please also continue to pray that the chemotherapy will be effective.