18. 8/6/2013 - First chemo pt. 2.

Two of the three chemo drugs were just a quick push. The next one was injected over about an hour and a half and we tried to keep H in the bed with TV and coloring books. We were really hoping for a nap but had no luck. It was tough - she really wanted to run around, especially after the steroids kicked in! We were able to keep her pretty well occupied and chemo wrapped up in the early evening.

One of the chemo drugs, cyclophosphamide, is highly toxic and can cause kidney damage if it stays in a body too long. Because of this, Hattie had to be hooked up to IV fluids for about 12-18 hours after the injection finished. Hattie stayed hooked up to an IV pump and we walked across the bridge from the Jimmy Fund Clinic and went up an elevator to check in at the oncology floor of Boston Children's Hospital.

Hattie was in generally good spirits as we got settled into our room. Hattie finally crashed and took a short nap with Kate before waking up to throw up all over her. Everyone got cleaned up and Hattie got some more anti-nausea medication and maybe some more steroids. We'd come to joke with other parents about kiddo roid rage. Hattie was certainly full of energy and attitude!

We watched some more TV, read some more stories, took a walk with our pump and changed many, many, many diapers. Hattie finally fell asleep with me a bit after 9 and we cuddled up for a bit. We were really exhausted and extremely appreciative of the nursing staff that would be helping out overnight.