One Tired Puppy

Yep, that's me. I am so tired. The nurse woke us up a million times last night. She isn't one of those "hip" nurses who carries a flashlight so she doesn't have to turn on lights either. So, I went ahead and got up and took a shower after she took Summer's blood around 5:00 a.m. That is the first shower I have had at the hospital this week. I am feeling pretty good right now, but I didn't pack any hair products so I'm sure I'll be sporting my usual ponytail again today. Nothing to get all spiffy for anyway. Just another day at the hospital. I was hoping we would be going home today, but it looks like it will be at least tomorrow. The nurse yesterday told me they drew blood and did a blood culture so we have to wait 48 hours after that to make sure there is nothing growing in the culture. Yuck! So much for having a night off this weekend. Tomorrow will make a week we have been here, minus the 8 hours we got to go home on Tuesday. At least I am getting some pretty good cuddling in at night (the daytime too).

Yesterday Summer had an awesome day. She ate, she played, and she didn't nap but about 30 minutes. Not sure that last part is good, but she wasn't a tired puppy all day like she has been. I wonder what today will bring. She has to take the Bactrim this morning so that should be fun. Right! She also has some mouth wash to swish to help heal up the sores in her mouth. We are supposed to do it 4 times a day, but we haven't even made it close to that number so far. Maybe today she will be cooperative. I got some swabs from the nurse so I could try to just swab it around in there, but she decided she'd rather try to swish. That was only after lots of threats of me leaving the room if she didn't stop pitching a fit. Man, this cancer stuff SUCKS!!!!!!!!! We are still on cycle one and I already feel like pulling my hair out. I hope I don't jump off a bridge before December.

She is adjusting okay to having no hair. She has been holding teddy tight with the hand she usually twirls with. I did get to hold her hand a little while we were sleeping last night too. She still has not said a word about her hair. I haven't really put her in front of a mirror because I don't want to freak her out. It doesn't look that bad, but I did butcher the final haircut. Looks like a used a lawnmower after drinking a bottle of vodka. I didn't have either though. One of her friends came to visit her yesterday and her eyes were still swollen from the allergic reaction she had the day before. Her friend didn't really recognize her I don't think. She wouldn't come near her for a while, but I can't say I blame her. She is only 2 too. Thankfully, before the visit was over, they were making puppets together. One of my friends from high school sent a really nice package for Summer that she absolutely loved - puppets, stickers, and jewelry. What more could a girl ask for? Thank you Dusty, Travis and Easton!!! You guys rocked her world yesterday. I am trying to spread the packages out a little so she can really appreciate each one. We have another one waiting at home, but I haven't opened it yet. I haven't really had time because, ya know, I'm not home much.

We will be headed for the last dose of radiation this week here in a few minutes. We have six more after today. Summer is still sleeping away in the bed. I don't wake her until we are walking out the door. I always carry her down to radiation. No wheelchair for my baby. She wants Mommy to carry her. Not that I blame her. I am a pretty awesome carrier. LOL

She also gets another dose of Vincristine today. It is just a push so it will not confine us to the room for any amount of time. Yesterday we went outside again for a while. She wanted to go twice, but the second time we tried it was raining. Maybe this afternoon it will be pretty so we can go get some fresh air.

She is eating again, at least trying to. Some things hurt her mouth. Unfortunately her favorite food is one of them - spaghetti. She had some bread with butter, a few bites of pizza (some she chewed on a second then spat back out on her plate only to pick some of them up and put them back in her mouth - GROSS I know), some pink icing from one of the cupcakes I had to run to Wal-Mart and get them to make while I waited, Cheez-its, a few bites of Fudge Rounds, and one bite of cottage cheese. She also had almost two 8 oz. Sprites. So, that is something to be thankful for. She has her appetite back for the time being, now if only those pesky mouth sores would go away. She is still complaining of her belly hurting. Her eyes are red and raw from all the rubbing. Other than that, she is doing good. She is talking again. Thank you God!

I hope today brings me a cooperative and playful little girl. I never know what I am going to get, but I do still have her in my life and I am thankful for that. Now if only I could find the remote and fast forward to December. Wouldn't that be nice?