A Different Kind of “Hardest Day”

Today was Day 1 of Kira’s 2^nd chemo treatment cycle.  She is scheduled to have four cycles.  We have evidence that her chemo is working very well (chest x-ray showing considerable reduction of the mass), and that her body is recovering well (blood counts and bone marrow production).  Most importantly, we have seen Kira’s radiant smile and felt her wellness this past week!  Due to all of that joy, it was very hard to start another cycle today.  Within hours of the start of the treatment, her radiant smile was gone and she looked sick again.  She slept a lot today and was given a lot of anti-nausea medication.  Hopefully we’ll see her smiling by her birthday (Oct 7).

So while it was very difficult to go through the week of August 22^nd when the cancer was diagnosed, scary to start learning about Lymphoma and the treatment, and crushing to see Kira go through the 1^st treatment cycle; today was a “Hardest Day” because we had to see her go back to being sick again.  She really enjoyed this past week (driving, going to school, movie night out, riding (yes riding!) her horse, no longer itching, coughing, and no fatigue!).  We know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so let’s start planning her birthday bash!

It could have been MUCH harder today… I was able to work today, come home and have a wonderful dinner, then go see Kira and Linda at the hospital this evening thanks to a wonderful, loving, and supportive community of family and friends! 

·         Thank you to Nancy and Nicole for setting up the websites for chores/rides and dinners.  Thank you ladies! 

·         Thank you to Mary for watching over a sick Graham today

·         Thank you to Susan for the wonderful dinner

·         Thank you to Sue and Kirsten for taking care of the horses

·         Thank you to the Mortenson’s for shuttling Kelsey to/from her basketball workout

·         Thank you to Angela for taking Megan to ballet

·         Thank you to Amy for bringing her back home

…and a continued shout-out to our Team Kira Captain, Lora Baier, for being our compass right now!

p.s.:

·         We received official word today from the Make-A-Wish Foundation that Kira gets a wish!  That was very, very cool.  She’s good to go, now just needs to decide on a wish.

·         We got more Team Kira bracelets!  The kids will be selling them at school tomorrow.

·         Team Kira is still growing!  Just passed $6,500 today!  Wow, thank you!

Hugs,
Jeff