Not Today Either

(PHOTO: I wish she were still feeling like this now! This was taken while at CHOP last week. It reminds me of when I was pregnant with her and Dr. Cordero did an ultrasound and said, "I think it's a girl, but until I see a cell phone I'm not going to say it's a girl." Looks all girl to me! Chatting and shopping!!)

Last night Christi finally perked up and watched a DVD while making those cute little balloons clowns blow up and twist. (She's really good at it!) She ate a popsicle (first thing all day) and I thought things were on the upswing. I emailed my wonderful substitute teacher informing him I thought we'd both be back at school on Friday.

The shot was hard last night. At one point Christi said, "Dad, give it to Buttercup instead. I don't care if it kills her. I don't want that shot!!!" Christi loves her cat; therefore, I knew how horrible the injection was.

Then midnight arrived and her horrible pain was back. Her mouth/throat sores from the chemo, her eyes and her headaches all returned. We gave her different pain medications at various points throughout the night. I woke her at 6:00 AM and asked if she thought we could go to school or if I should call Mr. Jones to teach for me today and she whispered, "Call Mr. Jones". So sadly I did. She just loves school and I know how much she wants to get back to school and her friends!

Today she's complained that her back hurts as does her head, especially where the bumps are. I said, "I didn't feel any bumps yesterday." She said, "They're tiny now, but they really hurt." She ate a bit of a milkshake, and a few spoonfuls of Cheerios but that's all so far today.

Thankfully, it appears that Shayla just had a case of a "nervous stomach". She was fine at Mrs. Depinet's and fine at Grandma Nee Nee's. I do think she has been very worried about Christi and perhaps this is what happened. (She's also not very fond of school although I am always happy to get responses from staff about how polite she is.) I wish we had a guidance counselor at our k-8 school so that Shayla could talk to someone, but funding cuts a couple of years ago removed that option. Shayla seems okay, but I really wonder what's going on and how we can help her.

Well, Grandma Nee Nee used to be really high on my "I want to grow up and be just like you list" but all that has changed in the past 24 hours!!!!! (She's #1 on Shayla's list now, but not mine.) Grandma Nee Nee bought Shayla the pet she's been wanting - and not just ONE, but TWO HAMSTERS! Furthermore, Nee Nee didn't think they belonged in her condo as Shayne and I suggested, but in Shayla's room. Happy 7th Birthday, Shayla! (And how do you know if they're male or female? I'm thinking we may have TONS of hamsters in days to come.) ARGHGFGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! OK, I'm over it now. Yet when Christi woke up today she asked, "Why does Shayla have three pets and I only have one?" Oh my!!

So Shayla arrived home this morning to get changed into fresh clothes to go to school. Well we didn't communicate clearly enough to Nee Nee as she told Shayla no school today and she was coming home. When Shayla walked in the house at 8:00 AM I had her clean clothes lined up. She told me that Nee Nee said no school and I had to tell her that wasn't correct. She ran past me and locked herself in her upstairs bedroom sobbing. This is so hard! I'm anxious for her to come home from school today - except she'll probably ask me to hold one of her furry critters! YIKES! I love you sweet Shayla!