Good Blood results

This is a photo of Mei-Rose with her fire hat waiting for her Chemotherapy to arrive. She is doing remarkably well and I think that today, even though the wait was long, she understood that she was there for the doctor to help her. Her blood work came back better than it has been. Her red blood cell count is normal (it hasn't been normal since before she was admitted in June). She lost a little weight. That is surprising being that she is still eating all the time. Doctor Glaser has cut back on the amounts of prednisone that Mei-Mei will take. She will slowly reduce her prednisone intake until she doesn't need to take it all the time. Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

Week 4 pau!!!

Mei-Mei had her 4th treatment on Wednesday. The EMLA cream didn't stay in the bandage as well as the other times so there was a little poke involved. She cried but was okay soon after we started giving her the meds. She seems to be hungry all the time. Her face has become rather "round" and chuncky. She still has all her hair which means she probably won't lose it. Wednesday night she slept all night. She didn't cry and didn't even change position. She was able to relax and get the needed rest. The medication that seems to work the best is MOTRIN. We have another medication that is stronger if we need to use it. We all got a good night sleep last night and hopefully tonight we can do the same. Mahalo for all the support.

She gained weight

Mei-Rose went for her third treatment. She has managed to gain almost 5 pounds since she has started the prednisone two weeks ago. She seems much better with the nursing staff and the general trauma of visiting the hospital once a week. We are trying to adjust to Mei's appetite. She eats constantly. She is really grouchy and crying most of the day. Distraction works but we run out of things to distract her with. Dr. Glaser has prescribed her some stronger pain medication. She has been experiencing jaw pain that is a side effect of the medications that she is taking. She should be able to sleep better. Now that school has started and our schedules are meshing, there seems to be a more steady beat that we march to. Sometimes , someone will step off beat but they are still in line. We are all just really tired but still hanging in there. This morning as we were pulling kids out of bed, we both had to stop and think about the date. We both had no clue that today was our 16th wedding anniversary. Wow. Talk about tired. Oh well. The one that usually forgets wasn't alone this year, and is off the hook!!!! Mahalo Again for your prayers.

Grandpa's Beach

Mei-Rose went to Grandpa's beach (Waikiki) to visit everybody. This is a picture of Aunty Mekea, Cousin Zaleigh, and Mei-Rose.

2nd Treatment

What a couple of days it has been!!! Mei-Rose had her 2nd treatment on Wednesday. She now weighs a little over 34 pounds. She has gained about 2 pounds since last week. She is getting more comfortable with the nursing staff but is irritated that we are still visiting the hospital.

Her mood and appetite have been the rough part for us. The prednisone makes her really, really, really hungry. She is also very grouchy and moody. It is like she turned into a teenager overnight. Thursdays and Fridays seem to be the worst days out of the week. Usually by Friday night or Saturday morning---- She's okay and we all wipe our brows and lick our wounds, pick up the pieces and move on. Thursdays and Fridays become a complete blur starting sometime in the early morning hours where Mei-Rose is screaming and crying because she is uncomfortable and experiencing jaw pain. After treating that side effect we then realize that her reason for crying has changed.....food!!!! So we get up,(or shall I say Kauokalani gets up!) while I try to get Mei-Rose to at least let our neighbors and landlord sleep for a while. The T.V. keeps us awake, long enough to watch her eat her snack and then we all go back to bed. Sometimes these midnight snacks can range from a simple piece of fruit, or crackers to 1/2 a sandwich or even some of Mom's stash of Strawberry ice cream. It is not unheard of for Mei-Rose to eat 2 yogurts in one sitting, along with other stuff. Actually the other day, Mei-Rose ate just as much as Kaenamoku.

We all have different times of waking up but the start time for our family is 5:00 am. At that time, we meet as a family for scripture reading and family prayer, then someone takes Ka`ili to seminary while the other kids are free to either go back to bed for a while or do their chores for the day.

Mei-Rose wakes up about 7:00 am. Breakfast must be ready for her or the crying begins. We do our best to be preventive in the planning but sometimes we just mess up so bad that it is catastrophic. We've only done this twice so far, but both times, she has been so unconsolable that simple things like pouring some milk for her is difficult. We are trying to keep Thursdays and Fridays clear of expectations and plans. Emotions, noise, anxiety and stress are all at their maximum levels on those two days. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! (you do notice what day this is published on?)

Okay- so as promised here are some pictures of the procedure. Until there is more information or news- Aloha to all, mahalo for your concern and prayers.

FIRST TREATMENT

Kaili and Mei Mei just before the meds at Kapiolani.

Mei-Rose had her first Vinblastine treatment on Wednesday. The three hour ordeal was that long because her chemotherapy medication was not ready for her. She was more upset about the wait and the nurses than the actual needle that went into her port. As she gets more comfortable with the nursing staff at the P.A.U. unit, she will probably become a pro at this.

So for those of you who are interested, this is how it works. At least 1 hour before her appointment we apply a cream called EMLA, on her port site and place a clear bandage over it to keep it from running all over. The cream numbs the area. At the appointment, through the site, the nurse cleans the site (the excess cream). An access needle is inserted directly into the port. Blood is taken for a series of tests and then the medication is administered. The nurse then flushes with saline and then an Heparin flush. When the needle went in she didn't even know. She didn't feel a thing. We certainly recommend getting a port to anyone who needs to go through a chemotherapy treatment. * Next time, we'll get a picture of the process for you.

Mommy on the other hand didn't do as well as Mei. We think that reality has set in and that the sleep deprivation has finally taken its toll. Things will be okay. We all have faith that our prayers will be answered. Ka`ili went to the State Race in Maui and placed ninth out of 14. Her crew was right with the pack so that is pretty good. Her club, Hui Nalu place third in the AAA division and her crew contributed 7 points toward that total.

This coming week the kids at Pearl City Elementary School will be in their 2nd full week of school. They like the school and the teachers. I am so happy that one of my classmates from Koko Head and Kaiser is Kala's teacher.

Oh-congratulations to Kaenamoku who wins the reward for finding Mommy's cheap all purpose digital camera that Kala hid and couldn't remember where he hid it. (wow that weas a run on sentence!!!!!) Now you can enjoy more pictures. Until then, aloha.