Sometimes I have a hard time posting about things as they are going on, in part because I have too much emotion surrounding the topic. Last Thursday Kate told me her tummy didn't feel good. She was also very pale and began complaining about her knee hurting even though she hadn't injured herself (bone pain is a big worry for leukemia kids and makes Moms very anxious about the very bad word - Relapse). The next morning Kate wouldn't eat (which is VERY unusual for her) and then she threw up later in the day. The highest her temp got was 100.0 but I just had this sinking feeling that about 5pm she'd spike a temp, so I called the clinic. The nurse said that they were seeing lots of viruses like this and not to worry too much but of course bring her in if her temperature reached 100.5. All weekend long Kate kept telling me how tired she was and took several naps at her own request. She'd perk up a bit after awaking but then feel punky again not long after getting up. I checked her temperature way too many times last weekend!
Let me say that Kate does have an amazing prognosis and the odds are definitely in her favor. I believe that she'll be cured, so it is quite unnerving that I get so anxious about the possibility of relapse. I think the combination of bone pain, lethargy, pallor and belly pain were just the right combination to get my mind whirling. There have been a few times like this in the last 10 months when my mind recalls stories of kids like Kate who relapsed and are now undergoing bone marrow transplant or in worse states.
So on Monday I called the clinic again because Kate came home from school saying that she was feeling sick. They told me for the second time, that as long as she didn't have a fever we could just keep watching her and we would check her counts on Thursday if she wasn't better. I know that it is normal to worry but each time I have a week like this I swear years are taken off of my life.
Well as the blog title implies, Kate is better! She began feeling better Tuesday evening in fact and is back to her old self. I am so grateful for answered prayers and the calming reassurances that I am given in times of need!
8 comments:
I think any parent going through what you are would have had the exact same worries! Glad to know they were unfounded and that Kate is back to herself :) Always such a relief to hear!!
whew!
Don't scare me like that (I didn't read the title first, dang it.) I can dido your feelings--the word "relapse" makes me nauseous. Thank heavens things are fine again. We love you for what you're going through. Kerri and Izzy
I think I held my breath the entire time I read this entry...I worry so much about Kate but know in my heart she will be just fine. She's a trooper and so are you! Hang in there! Hugs!
Glad I talked to you BEFORE I started reading this blog! It's SOOOO hard to keep on an even keel...Hang in there, girl....
So glad to hear Kate's feeling better! Love you guys.
Hugs, kisses, and prayers for an amazing little girl and her amazing parents! Such a worry for you -- I'm glad Kate is back to her happy self. Relapse? NOT in MY vocabulary!
I can relate all too well! I wonder when we won't worry about relapse? I think it will take me a long time. It is all too stressful. Kate is SO cute with her hair!
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