Friends

Charlotte and her buddy Cooper playing the Wii

Charlotte and her buddy Cooper werew playing the Wii. The steroids make Charlotte gassy, and she lets one rip while they are playing. Naomi looked at me, horrified. Cooper calmly says, "I sometimes toot like that too" and they continue on.  I LOVE that little boy.

Another Chemo Update

The word from today's chemo session: Charlotte's red blood cells went up on their own, so she didn't need a transfusion this week. Must be all that meat she's been eating. Her blood pressure has also increased, unhappily, so they have increased her blood pressure medication. Just one more week on steroids, then hopefully the moodiness and the high blood pressure will disappear. Just learned 7th Graders are called "Sevvies" by the older classmen. Tried calling Naomi a Sevvie today, and was told not to do that. Hmm, I'll think about it.





These are our science guys that work at our non-profit dental research organization, CR Foundation. They are a group of college age guys who are finishing their bachelor's with plans to go on to dental school or other master's programs. They all decided to visit Charlotte and bring her some gifts. Most notable, they decided to shave their heads in support of Charly. Makes me all sniffily.

  

A Little Humor...

I really can't go on without sharing the funny side effect of steroids...hunger.

It began about Naomi's birthday. Charlotte would begin to list what she wanted to eat at the next meal while she was still eating her current meal. The nurses warned us that some children wake their parents at 2am, wanting to eat. More than a few suggested we pack a snack next to the bed. Charlotte returned home excited to pack a snack at her bedside. She chose a granola bar and fruit snacks. The next morning, she mournfully says to me, "I did not wake up to eat my snack!"

Most of the hunger/cravings seemed to be in her head. Once presented with the food, she would eat a few bites and then she would stop and rest. Monday, we had a few neighbors stop by with treats and presents for Charlotte. As she munched on a Rice Krispy Treat, she looks me in the eye and says, "You want to know why I was sad when I looked at the present, mom?"

"Why were you sad?"

"Because I was hoping that somebody was going to bring me meat."

"Meat!?!"

"Yes" huge sigh and big doe eyes "I really want a Big Mac."

"A Big Mac?"

"or a taco... from Del Taco"

Charlotte's been on a fast food ban. The dietician stressed that while her immune system is low, fast food and eating out should be avoided. By Charlotte's reaction, you would think she hadn't been fed in years. Where she had just had a portion of chili and spaghetti.

The next morning, she caught me getting ready for work around 5:45am. She wanted to order breakfast. "I would like 5 pieces of bacon and a toaster waffle, mom." I told her I would give her 3 pieces of bacon. I came out from putting on my jewelry and grabbing my purse to go, and she informed me I overcooked the bacon, making it too crunchy. I did notice that it had not stopped her from finishing 2.5 slices of bacon.

This morning was the first 2am hunger call. The granola bar still sat on her bedside table, but Charlotte decided she didn't want that. "Mom, I want the ham or turkey that goes on sandwiches, but not a sandwich."

"You mean cold cuts?"

"Yes, and I want a toaster waffle."

"Charly, you ate the last toaster waffle yesterday. There's more in the garage, but don't make me go out there. Can I get you something else?" "Yes, you don't have to go in the cold garage right now. I want Triscuits with cream cheese on top...and a piece of toast... and don't forget the ham."

Charlotte gets her snack, and starts heading to my room to watch cartoons while she ate. I told her no way and took her back in her room, and stayed with her while she ate and talked about what she wanted to eat next. "Mom, can you find out if I can get a Costco Chicken? You know that chicken and broccoli casserole you make, that is my favorite." I promised to try and remember to call the dietician and see if Costco chicken was risky, and when she was finished, tucked her back in and kissed her forehead. As I left, she whispered, "mom, just one more thing I got to tell you" "What's that?" "Tomorrow, after dinner, I want brownies."

Another Round of Chemo Update

Charlotte finished another round of chemo Friday. Her immune system is still extremely low. Her red blood cells are low, and the doctors told Sean that she would probably need a blood transfusion next week. From what we were told, eventually they know Charlotte will start having allergic reactions to blood products. They said it won't be a major deal, they will simple pre-dose her with Benadryl before transfusions once this occurs.


All things considering, things are going well. The worst part is her belly aches in the evening. Usually, a warm beanbag laid on her tummy helps. It's amazing how quickly she is losing her hair. It started Tuesday. Thankfully, I had made an appointment with photographer and we took photos Wednesday. Afterwards, she had her hair cut into a short bob by my mom. Mom warned me that we will have to shave it when it starts to get patchy. I expect it will be sometime next week at the rate it's going. Charlotte brushed her hair behind her ear yesterday and held out a small clump of hair to me - "my hair is like a Truffula tree". (Charlotte has been watching the Lorax movie a lot this week)


Dandellion fluff for hair, three weeks exactly from diagnosis.

Naomi starts 7th grade Monday. I took her in for a manicure and a much-begged for an eyebrow wax (I told her she would have to wait until Jr. High). Thankfully, she didn't scream. By the way she timidly asked the beautician if it would hurt, you would think she hadn't been incessantly bugging me all summer to get her brows shaped. I took Naomi to her open house Thursday evening, and her teachers seem very nice. She will be taking Drama; Art; something called CTE, which seems to be Home Ec; and creative writing. Her creative writing teacher is also her English teacher. 6 of her teachers are guys, and she is a little curious how that will be, as she has only had women teachers.

Thanks again for all the love and concern coming our way. We wouldn't be able to do this half as well as we are without everyone supporting us. I expect there won't be any signifiant news until the end of the month, when they review Charly's second bone marrow test and tell us the next stage in her treatment.

Hats

Online hat shopping with Charly this evening. Considering how fast her hair is coming out, we ordered a couple so she can decide if she will enjoy wearing hats, or if she will decide bald is beautiful.

Trying out one of Naomi's old hats, this one fits.

Naomi hat

Trying on some of Mom's fun hats.

I think it's too small. NO MOM! It fits!

Mom found this last year. "It's nice and soft, and my ears are warm!"