Swimming and Clinic Day

Monday night day Dad had to shave Karlee’s head with a blade.  She was starting to get stubbly in some area’s and was very smooth in others.  We decided at the start of this journey that we wouldn't let her look ragged and scruffy.  It is kind of strange to shave your daughters head, but at the same time she has very soft hair that is easy to shave.

Last blog I forgot to mention that Karlee is on oral chemotherapy.  Medication isn’t an issue for Karlee anymore, but this one seems to be an issue for Mom and Dad.  Karlee needs to take the chemo on an empty stomach (nothing for 2 hours before or 1 hour afterwards) and at bedtime.  Because she is also on Septra we have to try and remember to give her Septra at supper time and chemo at bedtime.  We always remember the chemo, but the septra has been a little hit and miss.

Tuesday night the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts went swimming at the wave pool with their families.  Karlee was very excited to go swimming again as she has missed a few times due to not feeling well or being recently accessed.  They don’t have an issue with her going swimming, but would like it to be a few days after she is accessed to minimize the risk of infection from the needle site.  Karlee had a great time playing with Erica (one of the Beavers) and swimming in the waves.  She still wears the lifejacket, but now had no fear of the waves and doesn’t mind getting her face and head wet.

It is interesting watching people’s reaction to a bald little girl.  One of the other leaders who lives on the same street as us looked at her and said is she yours as he tried to figure out why we would shave her head.  Had to explain to him that she had leukemia.  Other people just get a sympathetic look on their face and don’t have a clue what to say.  Some kids ask questions and we can explain to them what is going on.  This is actually enjoyable to explain to them that she is sick, but that the drugs to make her better cause her hair to fall out.  They are really fun to talk to and answer questions from.

Today was clinic day for Karlee.  The drive up to the hospital was an adventure for Jennifer.  About half way up there Karlee started saying she was hot; as she got closer she started saying her tummy was hot and moaning a little.  Before Jennifer knew what was happening Karlee was vomiting in the back seat all over herself, blankie and the car seat.  We have said this before, but we need to have extra clothes in the care.  It was nice that we were going to the hospital as they have PJs we can borrow.  Today was a very easy day at the clinic with only a CBC (complete blood count) and 1 type of chemotherapy.  She didn’t even have to see the doctor today.  The chemo was ready at 10:10, but it was almost noon before she got it due to a busy clinic day.  Everyone was home by 1pm and Karlee had a fun afternoon at home.  Karlee's counts are starting to drop.  Her hemoglobin has dropped from 122 last week to 91 this week.  This means she is probably headed towards another blood transfusion.  She has blood work at the South Calgary Lab the next 3 weeks so we will have to call up and get the counts.

Wednesday night was supposed to be a busy evening, but everything seemed to fall apart at once.  Ryley had a play date with Levi after school and had a great time.  He was then supposed to have a a dry land practice at a local school.  It appears the school was double booked so that was cancelled.  Jennifer was supposed to have a massage tonight, but Jodie had 2 sick kids at home so she cancelled (which we didn’t mind).  We had a nice relaxing evening watching a little TV and doing a lot of nothing.