Moving Forward - Phase Three

After a much needed break from treatment, Paige's counts bounced back in full force to begin the next phase.  Interim Maintenance involves 4 planned hospital stays about 4 days in length.  During these stays, she receives a high dose chemo drug over a 24-hour period.  This is done in-patient so she can be closely monitored to make sure excess levels of the drug are properly flushed from her system.  Once she is cleared, we head home for rest and recovery until the next round about 2 weeks later.

Chemo administered over a full day?  72 hours of post-hydration?  It's a lot to take--that's for sure.  Our recent break from treatment delivered us to this phase physically and mentally prepared to move forward.  We arrived at the hospital with Paige's bountiful Buc-ee's t-shirt collection (her standard uniform these days) and ample activities to pass the time.  Paige even wanted to take a lap around the 9th floor to show off the fabulous pajama pants she had just completed as part of a school project.  She's come to appreciate days when she has more energy and makes it a point to enjoy them as much as possible.

Understandably, the first administration of each new chemo drug makes Paige a bit anxious.  The fact that this one was going to run over such a long period of time had her more nervous than usual.  We took time to pray that her body would tolerate the medications, asking God to take away any fear and anxiety Paige was experiencing and replace it with peace and calm assurance that she would be just fine.  Waiting on pre-hydration to finish and chemo to be prepared made for a very long evening.  It turned out to be a blessing that the drugs weren't started until late in the night, long after Paige had fallen asleep.  I kept a close eye on her for the first half hour, saw that all was indeed well, and thanked God for His goodness as I closed my eyes to rest for the next part of the journey.

And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.   Mark 10:16