Day -5

WBC-1.4
Hgl-11.0
Hct-33.6
PLTS-78
ANC-1.0

Yesterday our radiation oncologist Dr. P, who we don't see every time, walked up to Claire, took both of her hands in his, and said, "Well. You're a fighter." They were all very concerned that Claire would have a lot of trouble with her radiation regimen. In fact, after our first planning session (which was the day after surgery to place her central line) I got a call from one of the docs saying they needed us to come in again. They wanted a Plan B in case Claire couldn't stand up, and they needed to measure her lying down to see if they could get her very long body in the radiation field. I told him that I thought a Plan B was a good idea, but that I really believed Claire could do Plan A. Apparently no one believed me, but she has totally rocked radiation. One more session this afternoon, and the biggest part of her conditioning treatment is over. She might actually miss being able to leave the hospital twice a day. (We are shuttled to the Huntsman Cancer Institute just up the road. The view on the way home looking over the Salt Lake Valley is spectacular.)

After her early radiation treatment this morning, the transplant Dr. H, the transplant nurse practitioner  B (who is a patron of PTC), and our amazing nurse Kathy from Boston did rounds. Well, by rounds I mean that they listened to Claire's chest, then talked about school and books (Dr. H's wife is a young adult author. We are planning on buying Demon Derby on Amazon today) and stuffing waffles. I always appreciate the time they take to get to know Claire. I mean, they are all her biggest social outlet right now. Of course, my mother brain had to make sure that the radiation is doing its job even if Claire isn't getting sick. They assured me that it is. Tomorrow she will receive her four hour infusion of Etoposide, and the conditioning part of treatment will be over.

We also had some lovely visitors yesterday morning. Our friend came up  with her adorable little therapy dog, and another friend who is Claire's age and just a few months ahead of her in the BMT process and her mother stopped by with gifts and encouragements. It was amazing to see how well she was doing. And at the same time, our hearts are turned toward London where our very dear friend is suffering through very difficult treatments and side effects. In the world of pediatric cancer, it seems that one day you are fine and the next day (or minute) you are not. So you learn to cherish the good moments you have and you pray your way through the bad ones. And you learn to be present, knowing that life is precious and fragile. And you find joy in collecting fish for your virtual fish tank (Claire) or Diet Dr. Pepper and tapioca pudding (me) and show tunes (all of us). Happy Thanksgiving.