Steroid week begins

Just a quick update, as free time is precious in this household--especially this week. Maggie had her smorgasbord of infusions yesterday, including a spinal tap with intrathecal chemo. We also learned, which I had a suspicion about, that Maggie has a urinary tract infection. So, we have made things a bit more challenging during her infusions as she is on an antibiotic through her port. The poor thing just can't get a break. I think she has had it for a month or more, but she never cried or showed signs other than heavier breathing as she urinated. Hopefully though, this problem will go away quickly.

Maggie's CBC (white count, etc.) looked good and her spinal fluid was clear, however, once again her bi-carb, that which measures hydration was considerable low. Maggie's diarrhea continued to be very bad on Sunday night and it showed through her electrolytes. I think the doctors are baffled as to why this might be continuing, considering she is on TPN. Her weight also measured at 20 lbs. 11 oz. on the Almost Home scale. If this is her true weight, she has lost a pound since Wednesday. However, after seeing the weight, Dr. Broxon asked us to go to the Hemonc clinic and weigh her on the scale she always gets weighed on. This weight ended up being 22 lbs. 5 oz., so hopefully this is her correct weight. If not, I am feeling even more hopeless than before.

With that, the steroid craze has officially began. Maggie has been crying for most of the evening. We were able to get her to bed a bit early tonight and hope maybe this will last the night. You never know what the nights/days might bring when on steroids.

It appears that it's going to be a long week. Please pray for Maggie-- that the side effects of steroids will not be bad.