Alex at the beach (Montauk & Cutchogue)

First Day of School

4 Month Check-up

Catherine had her 4 month check up the other day. The visit went well. Interestingly, Catherine's counts have been statistically stable since going off treatment (normal ups and downs, but nothing dramatic). Needless to say that means her platelets are still below normal. They were 117,000. At least they weren't below last month's 98,000. Dr. Joe was pleased and sent us on our way until next month. Catherine made me ask him when she can get her ears pierced and start eating honey again (she used to love PB & honey sandwiches and she really misses them). We have to wait at least 2 more months for that.

In other exciting news, Catherine started First Grade last week (CT schools start before Labor Day). She was so excited and despite sleeping in the entire summer, she was up and dressed by 7:05 on the first day of school. So far she really likes her teacher (who I have heard great things about) and a lot of her friends are in her class. They also get little lockers which she thinks is cool, they will be getting a class pet, and the first graders get to play on the big playground. So much excitement. Now we wait for Alex to start on September 8 and we can get back to our routine.

As always, or so it seems, I have someone for you to all pray for. Our good friend was on his bike last week, and was hit by a car (he was heading north going straight, and a woman heading south made a left turn right into him...she didn't see him). His spinal cord was severed and he is paralyzed from the mid-chest down. I am just sick over it. This family is always there for others in need, sending out prayer chains, cooking meals, etc. Sue had the dumb luck to call our house for a playdate just days after Catherine's diagnosis. Good thing she did as she was able to get the word out to all the pre-school parents (privacy laws prohibited the school from doing so). She was a good communications bridge for me during those days. Not surprisingly, everyone in town is there to help Sue and a meal schedule is already in place for the next four months so that they have one less thing to worry about. Many times our town gets knocked for being too elitist and homogenous, but I have to say, everyone takes care of each other and provides prayers and support even when we don't know those in need directly. We are very lucky to live here.

To end on better news, my high school friend Lori, who I know checks in, just gave birth to her second child, a healthy baby boy. Congratulations Lori...I am so happy for you for so many reasons.

Until next month!

Monthly Update - 3 Months OT

Well, our 3 month appointment has come and gone. Still cancer free so that's good. Her ANC was 1850, a bit lower than last month, but it's above 1500 and Dr. Joe said it will jump around a lot this first year. Her hemoglobin was a whopping 13.6!! It has NEVER been that high, even before all this crap. Dave and I attribute that to us finally laying down the law on getting her to eat like a human being and trying new things (ie fruits, vegetables and all different kinds of meats cooked in various ways). She's been very good about that and I am so pleased with that HGB number. Her platelets are another story. Dr. Joe just walked in and just said 98. Oh yes, Catherine has a whopping 98,000 platelets. I have to admit I was a bit surprised because she hasn't been bruising as much. They were 110,000 at the last visit so statistically they are the same. Again, this may be her normal. We've eliminated the virus theory as she cannot possibly have a virus every time we go there. The ITP theory is back in play. Dr. Joe said there really is no true diagnostic test for it, it is more a diagnosis of elimination, meaning other things need to be ruled out first. At 98,000 though, we have nothing to worry about in terms of internal bleeding, again we just keep an eye on her and wait. It's really quite frustrating for Dave and I. There really is nothing else to say about that.
On the plus side, we went to the dentist the next day. She no longer needs to be pre-medicated for that which is nice (giving your kid 1,000 mg of amoxicillin an hour before rushing to the dentist really is a pain) and she inherited Dave's fantastic teeth. They always say you should look at someone's teeth when you marry them. Obviously Dave never got past my sparkling smile to realize that we have bad teeth in my family. So far the kids have lucked out and take after him!
Hopefully next month will bring better platelet news!