'I don't want to go to bed'

At 7pm this evening Catherine said 'I don't want to go to bed' and smiled mischieviously. Once I managed to get her in the bed, she actually asked for prayers AND her bedtime song which we sang whilst she bounced her teddy bear up and down. She was still awake by the end.

This is my Catherine.

Before diagnosis she would never want to go to bed and she would always want her bedtime song, probably because it meant she could stay awake a bit longer. Since treatment began she would put herself to bed and then not want any singing because she was too tired. It has been so nice to see some of her old energy and fun now that the first phase of difficult chemo is over.

However, surprisingly today we found out that her neutrophil count (the part that helps fight infection) has gone right down again from over 12 to only 1.2 in just a week. This is due to the oral and intrathecal (spinal fluid) chemotherapy. This is not unusual and to be expected, but we were surprised that it had gone down so drastically so quickly. This means that we need prayers to protect her from infection again.

Catherine's blood test went really well today. She still doesn't like having the cream put over her portacath to numb the skin, but taking the bloods was easy and she didn't worry at all! The nurse commented on how good she was. I think Catherine was happy because she knew she would get a purple balloon afterwards! She also likes the nurse who she calls 'that nice lady'.

This afternoon, I told Catherine that we had some good news from the hospital. She gave me a huge smile and then ran off to play with her friend Hannah. I am glad that, at this moment in time, she is feeling so much better in herself. It is lovely to see.