Consolidation

Today was day 1 of our second round of treatment, called consolidation. In order to start the phase your ANC needs to be at 750. When we went to the hospital last Thursday, to start consolidation, we found out Sofia's anc had dropped to 598 (they were 620 last Monday). So instead of doing all 4 chemo's, the doctor only did Sofia's lumbar puncture and administered a triplete of medications into her spinal fluid. We were told to come back on Monday and hope for that 750 so we could start. I remembered the wise worlds of another mom going through this, "her body just wasn't ready to start that day and it needed just a little more time to get strong." Sofia ended up having a great weekend and was feeling good going into today. This morning we headed off to the hospital and crossed our fingers as we waited got the blood test to come back. Finally, she was at 2600! With that we got the ball rolling, the very slow ball. The first chemo she was to get is very aggressive and it requires a specific amount of hydration. One hour of pre hydration, an hour drip for the chemo and 4 hours of post hydration. Lots of sitting around, playing games and coloring. After the first chemo was complete the nurse came in to teach me how to administer her chemo into her port at home over the next 3 days. What's scarier than getting chemo? How about when your mom tells you she needs to give you medicine and she's in a disposable smock, gloves, a mask and major eye protective gear. I told her I asked for all that stuff so I can play dress up nurse at home. Fingers crossed it goes well! As we were getting ready to wrap up they went over our instructions... Chemo pill is to be taken at night on a completely empty stomach, that means no food or drink. But don't forget that be cause of today's chemo, she needs to drink a ton of water. And don't forget she will also need to keep the nausea at bay, so give her some zofran too. So which is it, Drink all you can tonight or nothing my mouth for the chemo pill?? And when is the zofran happening??? It's quite the learning curve. Now we are home, water drank, meds down and Sofia's fast asleep. We struggled to get her medicine in as she kicked and screamed, but it's in there. Day 1 of 50 is done! Going back in on Thursday to check labs as these meds should make all of her counts drop and she might require a transfusion. Praying for little to no side effects and an uneventful week so we are good on Christmas! Oh, and Noni... He's awesome, just like his shirt says 😘