Shayla's Seven!

(Family Photo)
("Grandma" Donna & the "7" year old!)
(Check out the cousins' shirts! "Ashley is my favorite" and "I love Shayla" - so cute!)

It doesn’t seem possible to now have a SEVEN and an EIGHT year old living in our home, but indeed we do! Praise be to God!! Shayla makes the Thomas team complete!! At the party, we had a wonderful feast compliments of my sister and of Shayla’s Godfather (Uncle Gil). The darling cake (complete with a: Buttercup, bunny, and two hamsters on it) was made by Sherri and delivered by Grandma Donna and Shayla’s Godmother (Great Aunt Marty) knew exactly the gifts to purchase for Shayne and I. Shayla had a nice day! I just wish Christi’s would have felt better.

Last night was the most difficult night Christi experienced in a very long time. She was restless complaining of pain in her: head, eyes, ribs and spine; yet refusing to take any pain medications. Oblivious to it all, I feel very guilty now! (I was cuddle up with Shayla in my bed because Christi asked Daddy to sleep with her last night. I had no idea until morning.) I try to tell myself that this is all related to the chemo; yet, it is most likely continued disease progression. She doesn’t feel well and therefore we don’t either.

Sadly, today she spent most of it in her bed. The wonderful party goers took turns visiting her in her room and of course Cousin Shelby is the perfect medicine so it was nice to see her up at times and playing with Shelby – even if not feeling the best. She did come down stairs for a brief time after Shayla finished opening her presents so she was able to hand deliver her gift she picked out last week (a new Care Bear) to her little sister. (And when I took the birthday cake up to show her before it was cut she thought it was really cute.)

I’ve already notified Mr. Jones that I will be taking Christi to the hospital to get her blood counts checked tomorrow. (This is currently scheduled for 3:30 PM – after school; however, as miserable as she is I realize now there is no way she’s going to be able to attend school tomorrow. I’ll call and get an earlier appointment scheduled as soon as they open.) When Shayne told her tonight of our plans and the possible blood and or platelet transfusions needed tomorrow she said, “Good because every time I blow my nose it’s all blood.” (Perhaps a platelet transfusion tomorrow)

Tomorrow she also has an appointment with Cindy to have her hair cut very, very, very short in preparation for “the fallout”. Even though it will be terribly sad for all of us (she worked so hard to grow it back!), this should make things more “tidy” when the dreaded event occurs.

Happy Birthday to the most awesome little sister – Shayla Marie!
Love, Mommy

PS: HAPPY BIRHTDAY, sweet Mrs. Cook!!