Almost Halfway There

Calleigh has finished 13 radiation treatments.  She has 17 to go over the next three and a half weeks.  I am grateful that I could be with her for the first weeks everyday as she learned the routine.  The doctor said that we would see side effects within a couple of weeks and his estimate was correct.  Calleigh is still her spunky self running around, driving her car through the neighborhood, and wanting to be out and about.  Her appetite is really suffering and she is complaining of throat pain.  She seems to not be very hungry and getting her to drink enough has become a struggle.  She's very polite about turning food down, but has little interest.  She received fluids three days this week due to lower blood pressures.  Her white count is lower due to the fact that her spine has received so much radiation; therefore her bone marrow has taken a hit.  She's started napping again, not willingly, but necessarily. The most visible side effect has been her hair.  Tuesday night it started coming out in the bathtub and has very rapidly continued to come out.  She was upset at first saying that no one would think she was pretty and special, but seems ok at this point.  I anticipate that it will all come out or need to be shaved within the next few days but we are trying to give her the power to make that choice.
I have tried to prepare her that other children may ask why she has no hair and how she should respond.   If you have children who we see regularly or who are friends with her I encourage you that this may be a good time to talk to your children about this.  I would just remind them that Calleigh had been in the hospital because she was sick and that to make sure she is not sick again she has to take special medicine that makes her hair fall out.  When she's finished it will grow back.  I would not want her friends to be fearful in this situation and anyone to be uncomfortable.  I know she is going to miss being around other children this school year and we want her to look forward to the times she is able to spend with her friends.
Her side effects will get worse before they get better.  Please pray for her comfort and the doctors as they manage her care to keep her as healthy as possible through the next few weeks.
Please pray for me as I return to work next week.  We  have childcare worked out which is a major answered prayer and Lance and I could not be happier!  I feel like I'm leaving my 9 week old all over again, but I know she is going to have so much fun here and be well taken care of.
Even though some could say these are the worst of times we still have things to smile about.  We "get to" take care of our precious daughter and lead her through this.  It is a privilege to be her parents and we are grateful to God He chose us.  I'm trying to stop asking why.  I'll never know and it would not make this situation any easier or give me peace.  I do know that God did not give Calleigh cancer. He takes no joy in seeing His children suffer.  He did know it was going to happen and placed many people and circumstances around us to give us time and resources to handle this.  I can look back years ago and see how He was preparing us for this journey.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.  It's amazing the number of you who have purchased shirts, bands, and decals.  We are so grateful to each one of you!

Don O'Neal's car sporting a Cure for Calleigh sticker this weekend.  We're grateful for the support of the entire racing community!