The Candy Cane Express!!

Today Catherine, and especially Alex, got a huge treat - a train ride with Santa Claus. This was Alex's first train ride and being the boy that he is - he loved it. The train ride was compliments of a family whose son was treated for leukemia about 12 years ago by Dr. Joe (the head of the practice we go to). At least that is what his grandmother told me on the train so I hope I'm right on that info. It was amazing - patients currently being treated and those who are cured and their families met at the New Haven terminal where there were goodie bags (always a hit with Catherine), performers, and food. All the doctors and some of the nurses were there too with their families. It was nice to see everyone from the office, but Catherine did seem a bit confused when she met Dr. MJ's kids and Nurse Jenn's family, as if they wouldn't have one - it was actually funny. Rudolph and Frosty were there and of all people, Alex was PETRIFIED, literally shaking in my arms. Took a while to pry the death grip he had around my neck, but then he was back to his old rambunctious self. Of course Catherine kept her eye out for Dr. Elisha whom she loves. I was sure to take a picture of her with him and Dr. Darryl so that she can always remember them after they leave.
Speaking of that, we think Catherine may be having some issues with all the change going on at the doctors' office. She has been acting out a bit lately and not wanting to go to school. She has also been misbehaving at our weekly visits. On top of that, she seems to be realizing that what she is going through is not normal. She wants her hair to be long and she is fighting me on her medicine. The other day she asked me if she still had leukemia. Dr. Elisha said that she may be ready to see a child psychologist to help her work through her feelings (I could probably use one too!) Being the crazy mother that I am, I quickly put a call in to my friend's mother who is a psychologist. I was so happy to hear her affirm what I have been beginning to think - that Catherine is tired of all this shit and that despite some people saying that a child her age doesn't understand everything going on around her, she does understand and she is not a happy camper. Our pediatrician, Dr. T, ageed. We happened to have a scheduled visit with him Saturday - Catherine's first with him since her diagnosis. She was so excited to see him, probably because nothing tramautic ever happened to her during those visits. Dr. T and I had a long talk and plan to have another, but basically he said that Catherine is at an age when she is beginning to understand the world around her more and her place in it. She is seeing the upheaval of the changes up in Guilford, and unfortunately she is privy to my conversations with the doctors and she can tell that I am concerned about their departures. The only way she knows how to express her anxiety is to act out. Short term, we think that the best way to deal with this is to stop revolving her life around her counts and her illness and to stop talking about it at home as much as possible. From there, I will meet with a child psychologist alone to see how I can help her manage her feelings. All fun stuff during the holidays!
I have to say, this holiday season has been difficult. Although Catherine is doing great, it is hard, especially when I see Marlo Thomas and the St. Jude kids everywhere I turn. Of course, this is just another bump in the road and we'll get over it and move on.
We are scheduled for an LP in 2 weeks which would bring us to the end of the first 84 days of Long Term Maintenance. Based on the expected last date of her treatment (April 21, 2008), I have basically figured out that Long Term Maintenance consists of 7 three month cycles. So 1 down, 6 to go!
I've attached some pics from today. Enjoy!