CYCLE #3 DONE!

     Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, thoughts and support this week, because they have moved mountains!!  Cycle #1 (which is the same as Cycle #3) proved extremely difficult for our little Hazelnut; filled with cries of "I want to go home!" and "All done!", swelling, hives, extreme discomfort, disinterest and grumpiness beyond belief.  So mentally, physically and emotionally I prepared for another week of sleepless nights, agonizing days and watching my daughter suffer through something we willingly put her through.  However, God, once again has proven how faithful He is.  Despite some slight discomfort, redness, itchiness and moodiness Hazel seemed to almost breeze through this week!  She ate about one-and-a-half meals each day (instead of not eating or drinking at all, per usual), she smiled and laughed, played with toys and play dough, sang songs, listened to music and we read tons of books.  Additionally, each night after the Chimeric finished, she got out of bed to go for a walk!  Comparatively, this week was an absolute miracle! 

     We arrived home on Friday afternoon and she felt well enough, right from the get-go, to play with her siblings.  Usually it takes about a week for her to recover fully, but it was as if this cycle didn't even happen.  We have all been enjoying being home and the beautiful weather we have been having in Southern California.  

     Now this coming week is an EXTREMELY important week for our little Hazelnut.  It is disease assessment week, which means she will have a full work up of tests and scans to determine the status of her Neuroblastoma.  As many of you may remember, we got so very close to the NED (No Evidence of Disease) result that we have been praying for, but there was a spot on the kidney that was indeterminate.  This week could very well be a very BIG week for our family.  It is quite possible that Hazel is cancer free, and we ask for all of you to be praying for that!!  However, with Neuroblastoma, it is also quite possible that her disease was resistant to Immunotherapy and maybe began to grow back.  So, suffice it to say, we are all quite anxious and trying our very best to put our trust in the Ultimate Healer who has carried us through this whole journey.  I am not sure when we will get results, but for all of our sakes I hope it is quick!