March 4, 2006

Leah has started round 5 of chemotherapy and is in Iowa City tonight with Chris. We left on Friday morning and were admitted to the hospital by 10 AM to start hydration so chemotherapy could begin. Our initial check-in at the clinic where Tom helped us went well and Leah's port accessed and had blood return right away. Chris worked on Friday and arrived in Iowa City around 6:30 PM. My mom and I left shortly after that to return home. Leah was not happy to see me go, but Chris played Memory with her and read her books and reported that the evening went well.

Today Chris and Leah had a few visitors-the Ramkers and Mrs Larson, which helped break up the day. Leah is up A LOT to use the bathroom so she is not getting much rest and is very tired (probably crabby, too). I will go to Iowa City tomorrow and be there with her until Tuesday afternoon when we plan on being discharged.

The biggest bit of information we have received is that surgery is scheduled for March 29. This is exciting and scary at the same time. We are grateful that the tumor has shrunk enough to do surgery, but this is a major surgery with risks, too. Two pediatric surgeons will work together to perform her surgery which they estimate will take nine hours. In addition to removing the tumor and a portion of her liver they will also need to enter the lung cavity to remove the two spots from her right lung. The doctors have indicated they believe this is scar tissue, but without being certain and wanting to leave nothing to chance are planning on removing those as well. The gall bladder which is located close to her liver may also be removed to assist with surgery. We are asking for many, many prayers that her surgery is successful-that doctors can remove the entire tumor and the spots from her lung, that Leah does not have complications from surgery, and that there are no other surprises during this phase of Leah's treatment. Right now a scan is scheduled for the week before surgery to see one last time what her tumor looks like and the shrinkage that has occurred in round 5. We will be admitted on March 28 in order to have an NG tube inserted for Leah to be prepped for surgery. I am already dreading this and asked if there is any way to do this that won't be traumatic. Unfortunately, there is no way to do this except while Leah is conscious (and probaby having a fit).

Since I have been back in Denver today, Chloe and I have enjoyed being at home and spending time together. She has been quite happy to spend time with me. I even finished reading a book (back in my "normal" life that was a daily occurrence, now I have read so little that reading anything is impressive) and attempted a little cleaning. Chloe and I also took a fast trip to the mall to buy some decorative pins for the tops of crocs that she and Leah have. They are cute-and quite a fashion statement.

Please continue to remember Leah in your prayers-especially for more tumor shrinkage and a successful, uneventful surgery that places her on the road to recovery.