Treatment Update: An Unscheduled Trip
February 4th, 2008 | by Emily | See all Treatment Update entries |
Some days when I wake up, I’m just never sure where I might end up at the end of the day. Luckily, today in the end, we ended up at home looking forward to sleeping in our own cozy beds. Maddie has been a little sick (aside from the whole leukemia thing) since last Wednesday with a cough and some cold symptoms, but no fever. After a call to the clinic on Friday, we decided to watch and wait to see how things progressed. As you can probably imagine, fever and infection for someone in an immunocompromised state are not a good thing. She had an OK weekend, but the cough and cold symptoms have persisted. Today, she awoke lethargic and feeling worse. We kept her home from school, and, when I took her temperature, the number 101.9 blinked from the thermometer. A quick call to the clinic confirmed that the outlook for our day had now changed. We were to scurry down to the clinic for blood cultures, CBC, type and cross, and IV antibiotic (Rocephin). Jay advised us that it could be a quick trip or, if her blood values were low, a stay in the hospital could be in the cards for us. So, as Maddie dictated which treasures she wanted to bring with her, I threw together an overnight bag just in case we ended up in the hospital. “Why are you bringing your running stuff, Mommy?”, Maddie queried. “Wishful thinking,” I thought to myself. I figured that if we ended up in the hospital, I might be able to squeeze in a run around the Back Cove or something. I had decided earlier in the day that I would do my easy run of the day in the afternoon, as I had felt pretty tired this morning after minimal sleep last night. Our trip to the clinic changed that plan, but that’s why I run by a flexible schedule these days. Maddie slept all the way to the clinic, and could only muster up a brief hello to Daisy, who had just come back from vacation. As Daisy laid sprawled out on the floor dozing away, I thought she looked like she was still on vacation. They have a swift fever protocol at the clinic for the kids with leukemia; fevers and infections are not something to be taken lightly. Immediately, when we stepped into the purple room (Maddie’s favorite room, by the way; it has a play kitchen), Nancy and Dr. Eric were in to tend to Maddie. Maddie did great as Nancy “put tubey in”, drew her blood, and hooked up the IV antibiotic. Once again, she was brave, and proud to tell her daddy all about it when she got home. She also had a chest x-ray, which, along with the blood work, were all reassuring. After having looked at all the test results, Dr. Eric concluded that we didn’t have to make a trip to the hospital, but he let us know that we shouldn’t hesitate to call the clinic if anything were to change throughout the night. Maddie and I were both glad to know that we would, indeed, make it home for the night. Before Maddie fell asleep on the way home, we talked about the fact that tomorrow she had music class at school. She commented that she hoped she felt like going to school tomorrow, as Miss Sharon’s music class is one of the highlights of school for her. As I looked back at her as she slept with her head in some funky, contorted position, I hoped so too. So, we’ll see where we end up tomorrow…
February 4th, 2008 at 10:20 pm (#)
I’m so glad Maddie loves music! I kind of wanna take credit for that, being her first music teacher! But it was probably her perfect attendance record, too. He he he!
Clint and Ollie and I are looking forward to the benefit this Thursday night with Mish and Dylan!
love you guys!We think of you daily and send you strength, laughter and hugs,
Ellie
February 5th, 2008 at 1:04 am (#)
Emily - I am so sorry to hear about your daughter! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. We will keep you in our prayers. Good luck. Best, Sarah
February 5th, 2008 at 7:37 am (#)
Emily, you are a tough cookie and I’m so proud of you! I can see where Maddi gets her spirit! Am so grateful this trip proved to be a short one and you’re back home in your routine! God bless you all! Grenda
February 5th, 2008 at 9:22 am (#)
Emily and Maddie, I am so blest to know your Mom and Grandmother, Sandra. She and I are sharing your journey as so many others are. I, too, am on a journey with my sister, and you cannot know how comforting it has been to me during this time to follow and feel the love shared on Two Trials. God Bless.
February 5th, 2008 at 10:01 am (#)
Goodmorning….We all know how Maddie loves her music…. she has been dancing in the Chewonki Kitchen since she was old enough to stand up…..I now have 3 grandchildren and all are sick with somekind of bug….It just hits Maddie so much harder…She is a very lucky little girl to have you and Brad watching over her….and still giving her a childhood….You are the best….
February 5th, 2008 at 11:38 am (#)
I hope that Maddie was feeling well enough today to go to school.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm (#)
Reading these pages remind me of the time, about 20 years ago, when the three year old daughter of one of my running partners was diagnosed with cancer. After we all took millions of big breaths, we settled into knowing that the next years would be challenging but we had a tough little girl on our hands if she was anything like her running mother and father. Twenty years later that little girl showed up as one of my research scholars at my university. Having her come back into my life was a joy that I cannot find words to explain. Maddie will be someone’s joyful moment as well. Get rid of that cold and head to music class. I am a musician and understand why it is her favorite class!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:31 pm (#)
Emily, I have been a long time friend and fan of your mother, Sandra I keep Maddie and all of you in my prayers. I know that you are going to come out on top in all of your endeavors. The photo gallery is a wonderful gift. Thanks. Carrie Brown.
February 9th, 2008 at 11:23 am (#)
Maddie,
Thank you so much for coming to our track meet last night and for making the beautiful “Go U Bears!” banner. The meet obviously didn’t go in Bowdoin’s favor, but it meant a lot to all of us competing that you, your mom, and your grandmother were there to cheer us on.
The t-shirt sales went really well and we just have a few more to sell at the men’s meet tonight. We’re happy that we could do a little to contribute to Two Trials. We’ll continue to monitor your progress and we’ll be there to cheer your mom on at the trials. In the mean time, take care and we hope your cough gets better!
Love,
The Bowdoin Polar Bears
February 9th, 2008 at 10:49 pm (#)
Emily and Maddie,
Thank you for making the trip to down Southern Maine last night for the Maine State Indoor Championships. It was a great meet but it was your visit that made it a meet to remember. Our team enjoyed the chance to get to meet you and do a little something for the fundrasing effort.
The Huskies of Southern Maine
March 31st, 2008 at 11:21 am (#)
Emily, Maddie is lucky to have parents that put her first in their lives. With the Lords help and in his time good things will come to your family. My father-in-law had leukemia for 14-years and just finished getting a new treatment through iv for many hours each treatment. He said stay busy,walk.and drink lots of water this will help you to flush out the posion and not get as sick. He is at this time cancer free. May the Lord be with YOU ALL. LISA