November 12, 2009

AFP 1.5

A good check-up and shopping trip today. Our new doctor is just fine, even though we do miss Dr. Radhi. He is just used to us and all of our idiosyncracies (like the fact that Leah does not enter an exam room to sit and wait until the doctor is ready for us). Leah's platelets are still a little low, but this seems to be "normal" for her, although we do wish they would go up a bit more and stay there.
Everyone at our house is tired out, but tonight we still have swimming lessons and Chris is helping out with the K-5 wrestling program. Luckily tomorrow is Friday.
Our next visit is scheduled for mid-March---it seems so far away now, but we know it is also just around the corner.
Last night I had laid everyone's stuff out for the morning and told Chris about it. He looked at me and said, "where are you going to be in the morning?" He did know Leah had an appointment but thought it was next Thursday. Here I have been worrying for about two weeks straight and Chris doesn't even have it on his radar yet. In his defense, my worrying isn't very productive and it isn't going to change what happens anyway, so he is actually better off not thinking about it. We don't sit around talking about cancer or doctors or what Leah has been through very much. We are very aware of it, but it's not a great topic of conversation.
I am ready to enjoy the holidays now and need to start planning for that. There are lots of things on my "to do" list.
Thanks for checking in on us and all of your prayers.

November 5, 2009

Where does time go? I groan when I think that next Thursday is time for another Iowa City visit. When Dr. Radhi asked me in July if I wanted to wait six months in between appointments I told him that was too much time in between. I still think that, except now that it is appointment time, I wish we had a bit more time without remembering and worrying about cancer.
Leah looks great. She has grown a little more and when I had the girls try on their clothes hers are starting to look a little short. It is hard to know if she was just always going to be this petite or if a part of it is from the treatment she received.
We had both girls conferences the other night. Both had good reports from their teachers. Leah still is all about school and learning more. Chloe probably enjoys things a bit more without getting as worked up about stuff as her big sister. They ride the bus each morning and Leah is ready to go 30 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Chloe slowly gets herself ready and will just lay on the floor doing nothing just to see Leah freak out about the prospect of missing the bus. It is humorous and annoying at the same time.
Reeve is still trying to hang on to some of her baby behaviors, but is horribly offended if her sisters call her a baby. She likes to be carried around yet, but is seeming more grown up each day.
Next Thursday will be our first visit with our new doctor,Dr. O'Dorisio. Most Iowa City faces are new to us it seems, but she did round on Leah once, and was a part of the team that decided her treatment. I have contacted Dr. Radhi about the prospect of doing blood draws in Iowa City but seeing him, and he is still looking into that. We are once again praying for a great check-up - low AFP, high platelets, and everything else to be where it needs to be as well. We are approaching the four year anniversary, or cancerversary, of Leah's diagnosis. I am not sure if that is making me a bit more on edge as well - just this time of year brings back a lot of memories. If you still check in, thank you. We are blessed to have so many people who have prayed and continue pray for Leah's complete healing here on earth. I will update again after our appointment next week.