Happy Birthday!

Well, this week certainly had its ups and downs. Last Friday, Catherine went on all her meds and getting her to take them was no easy task. She actually said to me, "I wish my counts were low again so that I don't have to take my medicine." We certainly can't fool her! Unfortunately, the timing of the steroids coincided with her fourth birthday. On Sunday we had family over to celebrate. Friday's dose of the Vincristine gave Catherine its typical side effects - jaw pain so severe she can barely drink and a terrible headache, on top of that the 'roid rage. Sadly, it was not the happy day we had hoped it would be for her. Still, Dave and I prayed that Catherine would be in a better mood for her actual birthday when we would have some of her neighborhood and school friends over for a celebration. While the day started off a little shaky (still had that headache and jaw pain), once Catherine's friends started trickling in to the backyard, her mood changed for the better. The kids enjoyed a very creative treasure hunt put together by Dave, a jolly roger pinata, and a cake that had a picture of Catherine with her Backyardigan toys. All in all, the day turned out great and Catherine (and Alex) had a fantastic time. Dave and I would like to thank everyone who sent Catherine a gift or a card for her birthday, she loves getting mail!
The rest of the week brought much of the same, fatigue, pain, moodiness. Catherine started a little 2 week summer camp at her school. She had some trouble separating from me (which the doctors tell me is very normal) and was tired the first couple of days, but by Thursday, which was dinosaur day, she was feeling much better.
Today, Catherine's counts were through the roof - a result of the steroids. She received a PEG-Asparaginase shot - the second to last one she will ever get on this protocol. Thank God because it is an intramuscular shot, and even with the EMLA cream, it is extremely painful and always leaves a major bruise. It was also the last major chemotherapy (other than what I give her at home), treatment in the Interim Maintenance Phase. On June 23, assuming no more delays, we will begin the dreaded Delayed Intensification phase.