Hi all – sorry about sending the random picture earlier, was trying something new on my phone and thought I was just uploading it to the site. Happy so many of you enjoyed it!
I’m going to use pictures with captions to walk you through our day…
We arrived at MSK after a hectic morning of getting everybody out the door and ready for Halloween. Nicole and I went as the characters from The Elf, Sally was our little Christmas tree.
The morning started out with some OT and PT before starting Day 2 of “the red stuff”.
The nurses in our wing were all dressed as Minions. Our Leukemia team was dressed as Alice and Wonderland characters. There was a competition between the various teams on the floor, each has a theme, and some take it quite serious!
Treatment began with “the red stuff”, although Sally became agitated shortly after, and we noticed her back was red where the chemo goes into her body through her line. Nicole and I had a bit of panic and told the nurses who stopped the treatment. We were afraid that the red stuff was leaking into her skin. Luckily, it turned out to be that Sally’s skin was irritated from the disinfecting solution they used to clean her dressing. She was given some Benadryl and treatment resumed.
Sally fell asleep after getting the Benadryl. We received a couple visits while she slept just before Nicole had to head out and meet with the people doing Thomas’ evaluation next week. Uncle Jeff kept us company.
The Mad Hatter, AKA Dr. Steinherz, came by for a visit. We loved his costume!
Adrienne, our in-patient primary nurse came by to visit. Their theme was A Bug’s Life, and she was a flower.
She wears Sally’s bracelet on her communication tool.
Within minutes of waking up, we received a visit from Princess Scarlett, who was in a wonderful and talkative mood! We also got to see Cami and her parents, who continues her amazing recovery. Although Scarelett put a spell on me with her wand, and haven’t been able to stop eating candy since.
As the celebrity Sally is on the floor, she had to change wardrobes. Costume two – a ballerina in a pumpkin tutu.
After treatment ended, we headed over to the in-patient side, who won the contest. Their decorating was quiet impressive with large oversized flowers.
And had to pose with one of those large flowers and her flower nurse, as costume #3 was a sunny flower.
By this point our little Sunshine was exhausted and ready to head home.
So we headed home, and Day 2 is in the books. Sally heads back for the final treatment day of this cycle and receives yet another intensive chemo with lots of side effects called Cytarabine. Like Red Devil, it’s been used for over 40 years with no alternative developed in that time!
One of my favorite moments of the day was towards the end. The floor was mostly empty and Sally and I were sitting quietly alone by the fish tank in the waiting area. A little girl dressed up as a vampire came up and sat next to me and struck up a conversation for fifteen minutes. 7 year old Stella has cancer, and was in town from Tennessee for treatment. She had to be put to sleep to have a bone marrow sample taken, but was fine and showed me her scars. She was just looking forward to going trick or treating later, and using packets of fake blood on her face to make it look like she was a real vampire out drinking it. She asked all about Sally and what cancer she had, and had questions about her treatment in a way that showed she was an old soul and has already been through a lot.
The maturity of these kids is amazing, they experience things that most adults can’t endure, I can’t tell you how much I admire their strength. Please keep Sally in your thoughts and prayers.
Matt
Matt,
I have a cancer diagnosis and am in treatment currently. I am inspired and uplifted by the love your family shares. Sweet Sally is in my prayers and will remain there as will all of you. These kids are teaching us adults powerful things about life and love and strength and hope. There is purpose and meaning in Sally’s journey. Thank you for sharing her with us. Much good is growing in light of her sunshine.
Continued love and positive energy from the heartland to y’all.
Sometimes I just don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read your posts…Sounds like today was a good day though…
Always in my thoughts and prayers…
Love, cj
As always I am amazed by your family’s strength. Praying for a speedy recovery.
You all looked Great! You are all in my thoughts and prayers daily…And I haven’t taken Sally’s bracelet off yet..xoxo
You guys looked Amazing!!!! Poor Sally when I saw her back I felt sick to my stomach. But yet she carries on. Talk about a fighter. Her parents are pretty Amazing too 🙂
I agree with CJ, your posts are heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. I know none of the treatments are easy for Sally yet you focus on all the small inspiring moments throughout her day and it brings on a smile. I am beyond impressed at the amazing decorations and effort the medical staff puts into turning the hospital into a fun and uplifting place during holidays. Bravo to them for being so amazing.
Thinking about you guys all the time. My prayers are always with you!
Matt
It is such a blessing to read and follow your blog on facebook. Sally is always in my prayers. I just love her sweet cheeks. However, It is not fair that children’s cancer is only funded at 4%. Thank you for giving facts, too. It will help me lobby my senator all the way in Missouri. Sending hugs and kisses to your sweet sunshine.
Jeni