Emmy's Story Archive

Back to Denver yesterday for second round of chemotherapy and first big checkup since we were released from inpatient care. Her blood tests came back looking ok and she seems to be taking the treatment process well. For those of you keeping score, this is week 2 of 12 on Emery's chemo therapy plan.

Emery and mama spent Thursday at the doctor for week 6 of chemotherapy treatment and per usual, she did great. How a six-month old can get repeated heel sticks for blood draws week after week and not even utter a whimper is beyond me. I think is beyond much of her care team too since their wowed comments about her behavior and demeanor stay as consistent as her radiant smile.

Monday morning we will be back in Denver bright and early for surgery number two which will be less invasive than the first, but is surgery nonetheless. They are going back in to continue removal of any residual cancerous cells. After this procedure, she will continue on with chemotherapy treatment for 12 or so weeks in this cycle before new imaging.

We are thankful for you. Thankful that you are joining us on this journey through the dark, ever pressing towards that brilliant sunshine at the other end. Having friends and family by our side is where most of that strength comes from. You are the origin. Your encouragement, positivity, and love are what carry us through this sometimes very dark space. Thank you for being by our side as we go forth together.

Positive (negative) results from these tests will not alter our current plan which has us continuing chemo through the end of April at the earliest. It is hard as parents to wrap our heads around that many treatments and that many times these caustic drugs have to work their way through our daughter's system but it is what needs to be done to ensure she will someday be cancer free. So, carry on we shall.

...little Miss Emmy's condition as been improving at a pretty fixed pace. The girl quietly napping in the crib next to us is a completely different girl from the one who was rushed down here in the back of an ambulance a few days ago. Pale, fragile, feverish, and sickly was how she arrived but as of this morning she is most definitely feeling more like herself.

When we last touched base, we had just gone over the proverbial waterfall finding out that her cancer had returned nearby the original tumor site and would require an extensive run of treatment. This new approach will consist of 54 weeks of chemo (2 days a week and 5 days a week, alternating weeks) with the addition of radiation therapy.

I am not the writer in this family, but I am the nurse. I truly love what I do, but now I am realizing the reason why I pursued this profession; to care for my daughter. This is the job I was meant to do, and by far, the most challenging of my life.