Welcome

to Hannah's blog. Hannah, a happy healthy 7 year old was diagnosed on January 30, 2007 with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor.

It's new

I know it's new, and lots of junk still here, but it's a new template I'm trying out. Still lots of work to do, we'll see!!

Friday, March 16

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we are dressed in green today to celebrate with the nursing staff, and the proton staff. Hannah was handing out stickers, and putting them on her wheelchair. Today was treatment #7. We only have one more week and one day of the full spine and head treament, so we're counting down those days. Once that part is over, her treatments will only be about 1/2 hour in length which means less anesthesia, so maybe a better reaction afterwards.

Yesterday and today Hannah had some nausea in the morning before her beam treatment. When we arrived for treament yesterday she did throw up, then it became a question of whether or not they would treat her. Since she is face down during treatment, and her face rests in this mesh mask made for her, it's dangerous to be on the anesthesia if there is a risk of vomiting during the treatment. They gave her a couple anti-nausea meds and she perked right up, so they ended up going ahead with her beam treatment, because she really shouldn't miss a day. Today she had the nausea again, but no vomiting. They think it's probably just one of the side effects from the radiation.

Her appetite is also still dimished, but they are not treating it with meds yet, because her weight has remained stable. Today after her treament, she simply refused to eat. I finally ended up bribing her to eat, and it cost me $2.50 for lunch and $2 for dinner. She tried to get me for snacks too, but I rejected that for fear of becoming broke. She likes to browse the gift shop for things like little trinket bath toys and I like it also because it gets us out of the room for a while.

We're excited that Colby and Dad are coming tomorrow. We hope they're coming anyway. The weather today has been very bad, it started snowing about noon and hasn't stopped. Most of the day you couldn't see outside at all. It may be turning more to rain now, so we'll see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully, the ferry service will still be running and we get to see Colby and Dad!

Today was toy day Friday. Our nurse, Rachel (who is just the best) picked out some horse items especially for Hannah, and today Hannah chose an airhog flying airplane! We spent a good 30 minutes tonight flying it in the hallway with Nicholas, our next door neighbor with ALL (leukemia). He is just the cutest little boy, he is 6 years old, and undergoing chemo right now. He got the biggest kick out of sharing it with Hannah. He is always bringing her little gifts, today it was a pinwheel, yesterday a NY Yankees baseball card since he knows she is from New York. Hannah also gets de-accessed on Fridays, so it's nice to have the tubing off of her port. Fridays are good days all around.

We heard today that there is another child starting proton beam on Monday with the same diagnosis as Hannah. This child is 8 years old. I feel like we're the seasoned old timers now. Our first day I felt like anyone could have picked us easily out of the room, the family that looked scared and uncomforable and were crying by themselves, unable to talk to anyone else in the room. It's not easy now, but it is easier than it was. We usually see the same familles, and the same adults there for treatment, because our times are pretty consistent. I hope that this time we can be the ones to provide a little comfort to the "new family" as they start their journey also.

XO
Kim and Dave

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous said...
     

    Hi Hannah,

    It is Julia, I hope that you are feeling better. I like your picture with all of your stuffed animals. Glad to see the tooth fairy was good to you. Take care and get well soon. Love Julia Mele

  2. Anonymous said...
     

    Happy St. Patrick's Day Hannah This is Ms. Zaweski from the office at Cutchogue East. You look wonderful in your picture. Keep on Smilin'!!
    Love from all of us at Cutchogue East
    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

  3. Anonymous said...
     

    Hi Hannah and Kim,

    Thank you for setting up this blog so everybody can keep track of your progress. Happy St. Patrick's Day :) Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Be strong and be well!
    Love, The Schmidt Family

  4. Diane said...
     

    Hello Hannah,

    You look so pretty in Green. We can not wait to see you and bring you french fries or a kids meal from non other than McDonalds. Mom says she has to bribe you with $$$ boy your going to have alot of money when you get home. Abigail is in a play with your sister Colby this Friday and they are soooooo excited we will video tape it for you so you can watch it. Today is Kaitlins 17th birthday can you believe it??She cant wait to see you she wants to babysit you two when you get home she said hi Hannah. So the tooth fairy gave you a Webkinz what did you name it? We made a cd and hope you can listen to it. Abigail cant wait to see you on line with her Webkinz next week. What a great view you have from your room. We hope to see you soon. all our love comes your way xox tom, Diane, Kaitlin, Abigail and Joseph

Post a Comment



 

different paths

college campus lawn

wires in front of sky

aerial perspective

clouds

clouds over the highway

The Poultney Inn

apartment for rent