She's Famous!

Today began early for us as we headed to the hospital to begin the Delayed Intensification phase of Kate's chemotherapy. Shortly after checking in, the staff asked Kate if she would please talk on the radio. We weren't aware but The Neal Boortz Show (a nationally syndicated talk radio program) was at the AFLAC cancer center today broadcasting live. They were holding their WSB Care-a-Thon to raise money for the center. Although Kate was a little nervous at first she really did a great job and had fun too. I didn't have any idea how many people listened to that program until I started getting all of the emails and phone calls from friends who had heard her on the radio. Jason's lab tech, Michael, heard her and gratefully called Jason so he even listened as he was heading into work. Kind of a fun opportunity for Kate.

As far as the treatement goes, Kate did the best she's ever done with all of the pokes and prods! She braved the finger poke, eyes clenched shut and teeth gritted but without tears. Kate received IV chemo, Vincristine, and a new chemo drug called Doxorubicin. That Kool-Aid red medicine can make the kids nauseous, so she also had some Zofran, an anti-nausea medicine. Although she wasn't psyched about the lumbar puncture with intrathecal Methotrexate she managed it well and for the first time ever we spent the 30 minutes after the procedure (where they force a drugged child to remain in a flat position to avoid post tap headache) without any fights. Maybe she was extra tired, perhaps they gave her more medication but whatever it was I hope that we duplicate that next time. After the LP, Kate laid on her back and even slept for part of the time. It was heaven. When it was all over Kate had had it though (understandably so). Her patience was gone and she was a little grumpy. Neal and Belinda had wanted her to talk after her treatment she wasn't up for it and we didn't push our luck. Here are a few more shots of her moment in the spotlight.

Kate and Belinda Skelton. Kate wasn't shy at all and hopped right up on Belinda's lap when she asked Kate to. They totally bonded. Belinda is trying to hook her 5 year old boy up with Kate.

Kate really got into it by the end. She put on the headphones and was moving the microphones all around. At one point, Neal got up and she took his seat!