Chemo is Done!

     I am so thankful that all of the rounds of Chemotherapy are done for our little Hazelnut, because it has been a rough couple of days....We did get to go home on Saturday morning, and I am so thankful; but she is having such a hard time eating and drinking, has vomited a couple of times and all around just feels pretty crummy.  Her disposition has been so much better since returning home though, so I know that being here is making her feel better.  In addition, upon coming home, 3 family members were coming down with colds!  We had to send my youngest (Jonah who is 10 months), to my parents' home to keep the germs away, and he is currently still there and has an ear infection.  I haven't seen him very much since Hazel's surgery and I miss him terribly!  But I am beyond grateful that we have the support that we do, who is willing to take care of a sick child in order to keep our Hazel safe (THANKS MOM & DAD!). Elizabeth, our 4 year old, was put in quarantine in her room for a few days' but I heard no complaining because she got to watch all of her favorite movies, play with her Leapster Explorer and look at her favorite books! Aaron kept his distance the first couple of days, but with the help of Zicam and Dayquil, he kicked that cold right out the door!
     While at the hospital, I made sure to document those last few moments of Chemotherapy.  I took pictures of her giant apparatus of an IV pole, and shot of her very last mL of drugs. 

      
     We also had a sign posted on her door during her last infusion, which was signed by many members of the staff and several friends on the floor.  We will cherish this forever.

 

      As the last mL flowed through my daughter's veins at 10:00 at night, several nurses came into the room and joined us in a countdown.  The second that IV machine began beeping, we all cheered as Hazel exclaimed, "My chemo is all done!".  The nurse unhooked her from her pole and she jumped down from the bed and yelled "I'm free!" and asked if we could go on a walk.  It was such a beautiful moment!  We then went around to every nurses station, on both wings of the 4th floor so she could tell everyone her amazing news!  I relished in all the celebrations happening around my daughter and feel so grateful for such a wonderful staff at CHLA.  On our way back to our room, Hazel was greeted with a huge surprise, which was completely fitting for the moment: Princess Ariel had come for a late night visit!

     When Hazel saw her, she didn't even know what to do with herself.  She took her everywhere, and showed her everything; down to the carton of milk she refused to drink during dinner!  They walked, they sang, they danced, they curtseyed, and chatted the night away.  Ariel even read Hazel a bedtime story, but when it was time for her to leave, Hazel had a meltdown.  I'm sure it was hard for Princess Ariel, but she stayed through the meltdown to comfort her when she was ready.  This just spoke volumes to me. 

      Now that we are home, we will probably be here for a few more days until Hazel will most likely spike a fever that will send us back to the hospital for neutropenia.  After that, she will be going through a full work up to make sure her body is prepared for her upcoming Stem Cell Transplant, which is tentatively scheduled to begin October 1st.  This workup will include several scans (the MIBG that I posted about before is one of them and will be on September 18th), blood checks, dental exams (to insure she does not have any cavities or any other ways an infection can be introduced) and much more.  So this will be a busy month for us.  I am anxious about this phase ahead of us, but as I have been reflecting on the journey we have had over these last 4 1/2 months, I can see my mighty God's fingerprints all over it.  The reality of these promises have been amazing to behold:

• Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you"
• Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismays, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"

     And even though I am anxious about the days to come, I can remember His faithfulness over these last months and remind myself that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" Hebrews 13:8.