Evening Update

Well, we were ready to “write her off” last night, but today was a much different day. Praise God! I know it doesn’t change a thing, but I’m happy I could converse with her a bit, even if she is “loopy”. She was awake for about an hour this morning and again was awake for about two hours this afternoon. She ate very well today: bread stick, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, strawberries and bread knots. Currently, Shayne is reading “Danny Champion of the World” to her.

She was very lovely today with lots of hugs and kisses for everyone. Dr. Maris said he’d stop back tomorrow. He was pleased she was feeling well and was alert today. I think adding in the Atavin was a good call. It’s at a low dose and is to help calm her, reduce fear and make her less anxious. I think it’s working! Her heartbeat and her breathing continue to both be slower, but that is to be expected right now. For the most part, she is pain free.

I'm verry surprised that none of her hair has fallen out from the eight days of radiation. The staff at radiation told me it would fall out by Friday and so far nothing. I’m quite thankful about that. No need to further humiliate her in my mind. She’s been through enough. Let’s give her peace and dignity now.

I still break down realizing she will not be able to return to school, one of her favorite places in the world! She was so excited about starting the flute in band this year. Last week her dance classes were to start back up as were her religion classes, piano and Girl Scouts. She talked about wanting to be on the basketball and soccer teams. This disease is relentless, taking so much away from innocent children. Next week will be her class’s field trip to Put in Bay Island, but she will not be there. Just two short weeks ago I somehow thought that she’d be able to go back to school – maybe in a wheel chair and maybe not for a full day, but still I thought she’d somehow be there. This is heartbreaking.

Shayla spoke with me last night, but did tell me that I didn’t need to call and check on her two times per day. Tonight she called me to make certain that I didn’t give her old Pokemon shirt she grew out of to “the poor people” (which I didn’t – yet) and that I didn’t throw away her old pink flip flops (which I did). That earned me a screaming, “Mom!! I wanted to keep those!!” and a click of the phone. Well, at least it made Christi giggle about Shayla, our little packrat always wanting to keep everything.