Chemo Cycle V Day 11

Well, this would be a first.

Eleven days out from the first infusion of chemotherapy for each cycle has meant an extended stay in the hospital, if not a stay in the ICU watching Zoe experience tortuous side effects.  Well, today is Day 11 of her fifth chemotherapy cycle and she is at MGH receiving platelets, but there hasn't been a hint of fever or nausea, she has been eating and drinking orally, and, though physically quite weak, her mind and spirit are blossoming.  Praise be to God!



We don't have her Absolute Neutrophil Count back yet, but we are guessing that she is hitting her nadir about now and her body will begin to rebuild in the next few days.  It is difficult for me to convey what it means to us to have Zoe home, to watch her peacefully sleep in her own bed, to hear her giggle at Cam coo and squeak and squirm on her bed next to her.  It may be Day 11, but it won't be another hospital admission.

I learned from my brother's neuro-oncologist at MGH that Zoe, because she is a child, can tolerate a great deal more chemotherapy, and recover from it much better, than the typical adult.  Although this works in Zoe's favor, it works against that of my brother as he faces month 10 of his brain cancer treatment.  Just a few days ago, I left Zoe in her transfusion room on MGH Yawkey floor 8 and went up to floor 9 to witness my brother and his wife meet with their doctor and look at his latest MRI and discuss the next steps.  Someday, I'll have the time and wherewithal to process that surreal moment...