Okay, so it isn't as sad as it sounds. We were sailing through the weekend and early part of the week with fewer problems than I remember from before. Before, when she would take her steroids, about 30 minutes later she would be writhing from stomach pain. We didn't have as much of that this time. But, this week, after Fiona stopped taking the steroids, she's having more problems. When we talked to her oncologist this past week, we decided to write down when and what her problems were. Her head hurts, her legs hurt a lot and she still has stomach problems. Last night was pretty bad. She took a long time going to bed. She took a nap yesterday, after I rubbed her legs for a while. So, that made it harder for her to go to sleep. But at 10:30pm, I was seriously drooping. So, Hubby got her and laid down with her for a while.
It took us forever to find some regular tylenol for her to take. She won't take the syrup or the chewables, the little weirdo, but most of the adult stuff, it's extra strength which is too much for a 5 year old.
Today is going much better. She woke up in a good mood, ate some breakfast and loved wandering through Target this morning, most likely because I bought her a package of paper for just her and Buttercup. Then we went to a carwash, which is always fun for little kids and got her a cheeseburger happymeal, without onions, and even convinced her to go to the childcare place at YMCA.
We are back to the everyday chemo, which is much better. I have no idea why guys take steroids on purpose, it doesn't look very fun to me. I should find a picture of Fiona on steroids so you can see what it did to her, but unless I post one of her not on them, I guess you can't have much of a comparison. I will post her shelf in our kitchen. It's much less crowded than it used to be, but this is all her stuff.
5 comments:
Yes, I understand. I'm the cancer Mom who wrote yesterday-I can't remember on which entry. I'm not sleeping again tonight either. They switched my anti-depressant this week and it's wreaking havoc-tired, achey and depressed-I guess you have to give it some time. Your little girl is beautiful. How can we sleep when we've been rubbing legs and running all over town all day to find the perfect food to meet her steroid cravings? The steroids are rough. My sweet little girl turns evil on them. She was punching out her sister last time. This treatment is better. I hope you got sleep tonight. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts the next few days and check in. Thanks for giving me some late night commiserating options.
'Roids are the worst! I've seen how they change the appearances and personalities of several children. And I agree, I don't know WHO on this green planet would willingly take them without some medical need!
We have finally rid ourselves of all the drugs and needles and other medical stuff. It completely took over a counter in our kitchen, a shelf in our fridge and the top of a cedar chest in the guest room. Every drug comes with side effects that require more drugs to offset. It's crazy!!!
Hang in there my friend. I hope you find time to nap at least. If I can entertain your girls so you can catch a few zzzz's or get a workout in or whatever you need, just e-mail me.
Of course I have no idea how hard this really is, but just want to express sympathy and tell you we'll be thinking of you. Can you pretend like she's a newborn and "sleep when the sick child sleeps"? I'm sure you have too much to do to allow yourself daytime naps, but you probably should when you can.
It's pretty tough. I don't do chores while she is asleep, I just hang out with myself. I have always had a hard time making myself sleep during the day.
We did take good advantage of her steroid cravings in order to bribe her to take them. We went to Olive Garden and Subway and McDonalds.
Lori- we still have a sharps container in the garage. We are past the point where we should need one, but it's still hanging out. Plus, the syringes and alcohol wipes and other things that are clogging up the laundry room.
I know this is off-subject but I wasn't sure if you would check old postings for comments. And I HAD to tell you that the Scrubs musical was on again last night. Between "So You Think You Can Dance" (meets my talent based reality show criteria) and the Scrubs musical, it was a great night of television! Of course I feel very guilty saying I lounged around for 2 hours watching mindless television when you're sleep deprived and starving for a free minute. But I thought of you and Fiona when it came on last night. Hope you're managing to get some personal time somehow!
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