Hard To Function During Induction!

Today we had Sinatra's second to last Chemo appointment in the 'Induction Phase'. We had blood drawn today and her ANC was up to 3900 which is the best its been since she was diagnosed, we were thrilled! The hope is that in one week when she returns for chemo and for her next procedure, Sinatra will be have completed the induction phase and will be in remission. We are looking for a .01 MRD; fingers crossed! We do have to remind ourselves that even though she may be in remission, the treatment that she will continue to have for the next 8-9 months will be much more difficult than these first 29 days.

Daddy and Sinatra enjoying some fruit at Chemo

During our chemo appointment today we were desperate to get some answers on two key issues this week. The first is Sinatra's horrific diaper rash that has developed in the last few days, and the second issue is her incredible weight gain.  

We have found that it is nearly impossible to get ahead of this rash because Sinatra's constant eating and drinking causes her to go to the bathroom almost every 30 minutes and that just makes the rash worse. We have tried everything to try and fix it including, corn starch, A&D cream, Desitin, Petroleum Jelly, bare bottom and now the hospital grade ointment and bandages.  Fingers crossed this heals soon, it has to be so painful and we feel so bad for her.

No one in the Cornelius house is sleeping. Because of  Sinatra's steroids she wakes up a minimum of 2 times a night, but has woken up every hour on some nights.  We have to get up when Sinatra does because the Dr. says that the steroids cause her to have an insatiable appetite. We are trying to be responsible parents by both giving in to try and keep her satisfied and trying to give her healthy foods. What's difficult is that she has gained soooo much weight so fast and it makes us really worried about her overall health. She has literally gained 1 lb over a two day period and a total of 5 or so in the last two weeks. Every time we ask the Dr's if there is a way to keep her full or suppress her appetite they say "no way" and "keep feeding her".

We are predicting a very bad night coming up very soon, we are calling this D Day!!  Next weeks appointment is a procedure to test her spinal fluid, add chemo to her spinal fluid and test her bone marrow for any remaining leukemia. Since Sinatra will be under anesthesia for this procedure she can not eat for 8 hours prior, which will be so hard since she has a hard time going 2 hours without eating. This will be bad news for the Cornelius household Friday morning from 1:00am-9:00am (procedure is scheduled at 9:00am Friday).  Everyone please be sending thoughts of or actual Nyquil and Ambien to our house starting Thursday after dinner!!! We are going to need it.