Friday, December 12, 2008

Better Days .....





Thankfully, the past two days have proved to be kinder to Miss Zoey than Wednesday.It was as if her tiny body said whoa ... what the heck are you putting in me? After a bit,her body started adjusting and compensating for the orange nasty stuff.The same orange nasty stuff that is the only choice,the only option, if she is going to beat this thing.Her body has done a few different twists this time around.One being a sunburn type thing.That is what it seriously looks like.Any exposed skin,meaning not covered by her onesie or leggings or diaper,looks as if it has been sunburned.Really strange but from what I have been told,really common.Just pause and think about what is coursing through her veins and it makes sense that this toxic cocktail can actually burn your skin or rather appear to be burned by it.Very scary this chemo business.We have had visitors the past few days.My mom spent the day Thursday we us and my brother came by that same afternoon.We had a great visit today from our friend and resident Chaplin,Steve.We are so blessed to have found him on our journey way back when and we are so lucky to have him in our lives today.So thanks Steve for taking such a big chunk out of the end of your day,a Friday at that and passing the time with the princess and I. Today also, my friend Debbie,or Debra as she is known in some parts,came and SPOILED the princess.And when I say princess,let me tell you a few things she brought Zoey.First she brought her a pink princess wand.Then there was a glass dispenser with a pump, that we are going to very stylishly use for our infamous antibacterial hand gel obsession stuff.The stuff that we buy by the case,literally.She also brought her a very regal looking leopard print,pink and brown blanket and some gorgeous little lounging jammies.I will take some pictures as soon as she is finished with this rounds meds.Hate to have any of the "side effects" do damage,if you know what I mean.Speaking of meds ....tomorrow at two ..... finished.I am so proud of this little girl,once again.It is mind boggling to stop and think of what is being done to her body and then to look at her and see her smile and sit and roll around and just act as if this is no big deal.She is a superstar.Our littlest hero.Our warrior girl.Mark is with her tonight.I came home to happy boys and girls.The little guys have also weathered the week in a stellar manner.They have manged to keep their routine and have fun and not have their lives disrupted too badly,thanks to the love of our family and friends.Jess is home until the first week in January.I hope Zoey finds her way home before too long so we once again can spent a little family time ... all together.That's the hope and prayer.It becomes the waiting game after 2 tomorrow.Hard to know what to expect.This second round has proven to be slightly different than the last so we will have to take it one day at a time once again.This afternoon we got a new roommate.Her name is Sol Marie.She is a 2 year old little girl with AML,just like Zoey and Down syndrome as well.She is on round three and has never been home between rounds.She is so stink'n cute AND she has a head full of hair.I swear it is growing.Miss Zoey is holding tight with her hair as well ...maybe a little thinner but pretty much all there.I think this round will be a different story.I am prepared in some ways but in others ...not so much.I know,it's only hair.A small price to pay for a lifetime cure.That's all I've got.Tomorrow I am going to do some more Christmas shopping and try and finish things up.We are also going to a welcome home party for Tate.Remember Tate?The McKay's newest addition from the Ukraine, that they adopted through Reese's Rainbow?Well ...he's home and we are off to meet him tomorrow afternoon.I am so excited.Afterwards we are going to head down for a visit with Zoey when it gets dark so the boys can see the decorated grounds at the hospital and love on their sister for awhile.Time to call it a night.It' going on 1am and I am feeling the hourly nighttime diaper changes in the hospital routine.Thoroughly exhausted,I am.Hope everyone has a great weekend and once again we thank you for your prayers and support.

10 comments:

My name is Sarah said...

Hey Zoey, It's me Sarah. My mom just read me your update and I am thinking you are a very brave girl. I'm glad to see you are still smiling. Sorry about your sunburn - that's no fun. I've been thinking about you everyday. Hugs.

Shannon said...

She has the most beautiful smile. Her whole face lights up. Still praying for Zoey.

Anonymous said...

Happy to see Miss Zoey is feeling a bit better. No fun with the "sunburn" though! Love the picture of Zoey with Mark..precious as always! Prayers still coming your way every day! xoxoxo

Kari said...

Love these photos! Nice to see her smiling :)

~KC: said...

Heather,

Everything is going to be OK ~ , Everything will turn out for the best for all of you. Always remember, LOVE is the most powerful HEALING FORCE there is.

Sending prayers of strength, love and healing energy your way, every day ~

Love and peace ~

Claudia said...

When I look at these pictures I just thought "she is magic" Her smile is so likely to Mias smile, it makes me think that those little ones really shine. After all. I think and pray for you, and I hope you can go home between 2 and 3. Well, step by step.

Love
Claudia

Kacey Bode said...

I check you blog often, though haven't been great about commenting. I always leave teary eyed, you are living my worst nightmare, and yet seeing Zoey's smiling face is so heart warming. Thank you for updating so often, I am always thinking about you guys, and praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather & Mark

It is 11:45pm and I thought I must look one more time. I was beginning to get a little concerned as it had been a couple of days since you bloged and Zoey was a little under the weather Wednesday. And there she was with her special smile. Relief ! Mark - love the photo of you and Zoey - of course I am a bit partial, you being my nephew and all that.

Glad Jess is home for a couple of weeks. The boys must be happy their oldest sis is with them. I'm sure they will be "over the moon" to see Zoey, the decorated hospital and all those presents in the lobby. I had heard that (on TV) toy company (?) had donated a huge amount of toys to the Children's hospital in LA.

I guess a little sunburn look is okay as long as she is smiling. Of course she is a little California girl!!

Take Care,

Bluebelle

Reagan Leigh said...

So glad to hear the little princess is feeling better. She looks great in the pictures! I can imagine what a shock to the system that must be!! I'm so glad that she (and you) are getting some visitors! I'm sure that helps the day go by a little faster!
Take care and you are of course always in my prayers!
Tera

Kele said...

Lovin' the picture of Daddy and Princess!!