Special Needs

Update on DD

I posted back in January, when I was still numb from DD's diagnosis. At that time our daughter wasn't herself recently, but attributed it to being 2.5 years old. One Sunday morning, DH noticed lumps on the side of her neck, so we rushed to the ER (thinking it was a food allergy). We were wrong--DD was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

Since that time, we have settled into a "new normal" routine; days of hospital stays, and doctors visits. Luckily for the most part (except for the initial diagnosis and fevers) MOST of her chemotherapy has been outpatient. We have one last inpatient round coming up next week. We were very fortunate that Reese achieved remission in the first month; now it is about 3 years of chemo to keep her in remission. (6-9 months of intense chemo and two years of less intense chemo).

Amazingly, she is always happy and smiling about everything. She LOVES the hospital and her doctors--but mostly the nurses in the hospital. It is just an incredibly LONG road, and truthfully it is easier to deal with when I see her as strong and resilient as she is. But she is doing well, so I figured I would update everyone here. (Especially since I don't post here that frequently)
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My daughter is my hero.
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Re: Update on DD

  • Thank you!

    Yeah, she is doing well--the only unintended consequence is her lack of confidence in situations and fear. Not so much fear with other kids or people--she LOVES people (even doctors and nurses). But she has always been a cautious kid and not a climber. It took her forever to want to go down a slide! In the fall between daily trips to the park and Gymboree; we pretty much got her down the big slide and climbing structures. Now, we have to start all over again. She seems to have anxiety with any type of heights or climbing and fear of falling and getting hurt. Unfortunately since her diagnosis, she hasn't been around many kids--and with the high dose of steroids initially, it took her awhile to want to walk and run again. (causes muscles aches). Luckily our oncologists pretty much okayed going back to gymboree and the park, because even though there is a risk of her catching a fever and being sick--they also don't want this to really become more of an issue. (especially because some of the chemos she is on cause muscular problems-as a longer term effect). 

    So yeah, we are the people that are complete dorks cheering on the 3 year old at the playground for climbing up and down the two steps by herself! Or walking halfway across the bridge before she realizes what she is doing and is getting upset and panicked. 
      image
    My daughter is my hero.
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  • So great to hear happy news! She's adorable.
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