It is 6:30 on Thursday, and our nurse Paulette (who is always chuckling to herself as she goes about her duties- I never quite catch what she is saying, but can't help but smile along) is hanging Millie's final dosage of Etoposide. We're on day 5 of our stay, each day punctuated by the 2 hours of chemo doses: Ifosphomide for the first hour, followed by Etoposide.
Millie is snuggled in her bed, as the air conditioning is blowing in here- and is sleepy from the benedryl given to her to combat nausea.
We've had a very good visit, and have stayed away from the decadron (antinausea steroid that causes "moodiness"). Each day we've had Physical Therapy here working on Millie's nerve and muscle weakness in her leg. The therapy uses a microcurrent stimulator to "wake up" the Peroneal Nerve path and try to reconnect the brain to the muscle area that has gone dormant after her surgery. Millie tried really hard to lift her foot up while the electricity was pulsing in two areas on her shin and ankle, and by the third day I could really see the foot move slightly.
The physical therapists are specially trained to work with kids- and have brought balls, bubbles, and singsong voices that soothe Millie and keep her interested. They have confirmed that the muscle is activating- so the nerve is doing its job- but the muscle and muscle memory is just so sleepy and weak, it may take many more months for her to regain proper movement.
For now, her foot rolls forward and hangs down on its own, so when she tries to put a shoe on the toes roll under and cannot be straightened. It's sandals for her this fall!
Today we made a big "thank you" sign for the nurses on the floor and hung it in the breakroom with a gift of some magazine subscriptions that will be delivered through the year to "Millie's Heroes" at Kaiser Foundation Hospital.
Her chemo is nearly done, and she is now awake and demanding my computer. She just said "I really want to get on your computer because I found an art game I really like to do. Besides, art is good for you". How can I argue?
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Congratulations, Bell Ways. You have made it through to the other side in amazing style and grace. What a journey, what a family. We love you.
ReplyDeleteSangers
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice to see you at the SITE event, dedicated to Millie. I've been praying for Millie nightly (there is a special prayer I say nightly, that includes a prayer to St. Peregrine, who is known as the cancer saint)so Millie is in my prayers nightly). I've kept a little booklet of prayers to him and would love
to mail it to you. Let me know if you believe in the power of prayer and I'll get it off to you. Millie is so cute.
Vera