We’re SO close to the end, less than 4 more weeks of therapy, which makes the events of this last week that much harder.  Since I always like to get the bad news out of the way first, I’ll start with that.  It’s been an eventful week with lil Lulu.  We ended up in ER again, this time with 103.7 fever, headache, vomiting and wicked-scary cough (the biggest concern with leukemia patients since this could turn into pneumonia).  Our good friends took Max so Jimmy and I could both go in with her.  You know the drill by now: total panic and desperate crying from Lulu when she finds out we’re going to E.R., the usual tests, prodding, poking, fluids etc. … We ease the pain and much as we can, and ever since the infamous 4-nurse and 6-missed port pokes, we ask for someone to come down from H.O.T. to access her difficult port.  We were SO lucky to see our dear Linda come down.  This is the nurse that Lulu once told me if she could have another mommy, she would want it to be Linda.  It was like seeing family when she came and helped tremendously.  Hours later, her counts came back high enough that we could leave for that day.

Day 2, fever returned.  I took her in so Jimmy could stay home to protect Max from seeing his sister go through it all.  Repeat of above plus heightened anxiety and, luckily, another great nurse from H.O.T.  She was additionally given Tamiflu and antibiotics.  Her fever finally seemed to break.  We left at 11pm only to return to clinic the next morning.  This time for surgery consult (for hernia and port removal), chemo, bloodwork, and nose swabs.  That’s 3 days in a row of port-poking and rollercoaster anxiety.  I must tell you though, that as petrified and Lulu has been (literally shaking and crying with fear at times), she always pulls it together and finds what we call her ‘brave spot’ to get through the actual procedures.  She truly amazes me and I continue to be impressed by her sheer will and tenacity.  She even seemed to be bouncing back and so much better that afternoon.  We also had an unexpected visit from Bo’s mom Annika, which brightened our day immensely!  She and her crew were donating a $10,000 check to the MACC clinic from The Go Bo Foundation.  We just love them and the work they are doing.

(Elephant to color on from Annika)

Long story short-ish, we’ve found out she has Human Metapneumonia virus and, as the name would indicate, one that can turn into pneumonia.  We also found out that her IGG (immunoglobulin – important component of the immune system) is low, which may be why she’s been getting sick more often and severely.  She will need and infusion of this, which can be risky.  Allergic reaction is possible (we NEVUH want to go through that again) and because the product is harvested from over 10,000 blood donors there is risk of contracting serious viruses.  Of course, we’ve consulted with the nurses and doctors, read the information and feel this is a necessary risk.  She will receive the infusion over 4-8 hours tomorrow.   Please keep her in your thoughts.  We are so close to the finish line!

Which brings me to the good news that’s really great news: March 6^th will be her VERY LAST DOSE OF CHEMO!!!!!!!!!  That’s right, a mere 3 weeks away!  She will have a highly anticipated day at Children’s where she will ring the bell, signaling the end of her treatment.   We’ve heard just a few others ring it, and it’s the best sound you’ll ever hear.  Both Jimmy and I get choked up just thinking about it.  She is scheduled to have her hernia surgery and port removal on March 11^th, barring any illness or low blood counts.  The light – no, the rainbow— at the end of the tunnel is brightening, just have to move through these last storm clouds.  We have decided to homeschool her until she is finished with therapy.  Her doctors and teachers concurred, knowing there is strep and flu prevalent in the school right now.

The first year off therapy she will have monthly blood work and checkups.  Year 2 will be bi-monthly, I’m foggy on the rest, but I believe years 3-4 will be every three months, year 4 will be every four months, and year five will be every 6 months.  After year 5 we use the word CURED.  Have you ever seen a prettier word?

I’ll try to keep updating you in shorter spurts over the next few weeks.  Thank you for your continued support, love and good juju for lulu — and a.l.l. of us.