Just like daddy

So we saw Charlotte's neurologist on Monday.  I explained to Charlotte how we were seeing a different doctor, one who looks at her brain - just like daddy's.  It went okay.  We met with the resident first.  Started off with history, lots of questions and Charlotte showing off her skills (ie. knowing her shapes, counting into the teens, 'spelling'.  She will spell out a word, and for each letter she will tell you what sound it makes and words that start with the letter - my smartie pants).  At this point, the resident made the comment "so, why are you here".  Which were sort of my sentiments too.  And then he saw her run.  Or lack of running if we want to be entirely accurate.  But please don't tell Charlotte that - as she thinks she is 'superfast'!  To be honest, Nathan is faster then Charlotte.  So, yes, Charlotte has some gross motor delays.  The neurologist came in and checked Charlotte out.  After a few tangents, the point that she had been seeing physio last year, and they closed her file because she was progressing so well, it was determined that these delays are likely due to the effects of her chemo and the fact that she hasn't been well the last 9 months and hasn't had the opportunity to work on her gross motor skills.

For example, I'll list you the side effects of Vincristine (which she has already received 15 times, and will get 26 more):

• Constipation
• Pain or cramping in the abdomen
• Jaw pain, problems chewing
• Pain while urinating
• Blurred vision
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Trouble Walking
• Hands or feet feel numb, weak or tingle
• Muscle cramps or muscle weakness
• Hair loss
• Low levels of sodium in the blood
• Seizures
• Weak or hoarse voice (rare)
• Problems with swallowing (rare)

Isn't chemo fun? (note, this is just the effects of ONE of the 12 different types of chemo she has/will get)

So, it's really hard to tell where Charlotte would be with her gross motor skills if she hadn't have got cancer.  Now, the MRI is really just a diagnostic tool, they might see something that might explain why she has a delay (or they might not).  But, it's not going to provide a 'fix it strategy'.  So, with that being said, the neurologist said they would just leave it up to our oncologist.

Well - that leads us to today.  Charlotte's counts were good enough to start her second phase today.  We saw Charlotte's oncologist - and he want's to go ahead with an MRI.  It will occur when this phase is done, probably before Christmas.  Fine - I've resigned to it.  I also asked if we should be starting physio again, and they will likely get a physiotherapist down to the clinic to see her.

Charlotte did awesome today.  She had to fast again for her lumbar puncture.  We were there at 8:15 so they could start hydrating her for her Cyclophospamide.  She didn't get her lumbar puncture done until 10:30 though.  After a 10 minute cry for food, she was content to cuddle, and I was pretty happy to have Charlotte cuddles for the 90+ minutes!  Then we had a busy day of some serious playing, some treehouse and snacks (or picnic as Charlotte likes to call it).  We packed up at 5 to head home.

So, we have another long weekend of driving to Children's hospital every day for chemo.   rough summary of our month:

• Saturday/Sunday/Monday (10th/11th/12th) - quick trips to Children's for chemo (ARAC)
• Friday (16th) - in for lumbar puncture (which means fasting till 10:30) and ARAC
• Saturday/Sunday/Monday (17th/18/19th) - quick trips to Children's for chemo (ARAC)
• Friday (23rd) - longer day for Vincristine and PEG-asparaginase
• Friday (30th) - Vincristine
• oral medication at home (6TG) until the 22nd, and possible extra visits for blood transfusions

I apologize for the longer post which is full of details - these are more for my records and the couple people who want them!

Charlotte continues to amaze me!  She cracks me up all the time these days, and I'm loving seeing the magic of everything through her eyes.  She is non-stop chattering, and her little voice can only be described as 'happy'.  I'll leave you with a couple pics of my little superhero in her newest 'shark' hat and her cape!