4/11/13 Update

Here we are.  Being normal.  How nice it is!  Briley recovered from her sickness and fever.  Thank you God!  Now life is on cruise control.

I've got to admit, it's a little strange not having to give her multiple meds throughout the week.  Today was a very good example.  She always took her methotrexate on Thursday.  It dawned on me earlier that she needs her Thursday meds...........wait a minute.........no she doesn't!  What a wonderful feeling it is!  

We are also getting to sleep all night without getting up and giving her the nightly 6mp chemo!  That chemo is given on an empty stomach, so we got in the habit of setting the alarm at 1:00 a.m., getting out of bed, give her the chemo, and go back to sleep.  We had been doing that for over a year, every night!  The nurses thought we were crazy for doing that, but it never fails, Briley always wants a snack before bed.  It just became routine that we didn't think much of it anymore.  It's been a joy not to have to get up in the middle of the night anymore!

I don't remember if I've mentioned the future plans or not, but if I'm repeating myself, I apologize.  

She still takes Bactrim twice/day for 3 days a week to help prevent a certain type of pneumonia.  She'll take it for the next 6 months.  No sweat!

She'll still have monthly clinic trips to Cooks for the next year for checkups and blood work.  At some point 3 or 4 months from now, she will have her port taken out.

Next year, she will have clinic visits once every two months.  Then the year after that, once every three months.  And so on..........
Eventually, she will only have to go once or twice a year.  She will make clinic visits over the next 10 years.  It will be hard to believe that she'll almost be driving before everything is completely done!

We are still going to be active with CureSearch, helping other families out, and doing what we can.  In fact, Alicia and the kids may be going to the CureSearch walk in Fort Worth this weekend! I wish I could go, but I'll have to stay here and work.

I'll take Briley to Cooks next Thursday for a regular clinic visit/blood work.  I'm curious just how much her counts have improved since stopping chemo.  I'll will update more at that time.

Once again, we appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers throughout this ordeal.  She's been a little trooper.  So has Bryson.  He's missed out on a lot of things throughout this journey also.  Both kids love going to school!  They get out of bed in the mornings ready to go!  It's been a blessing that she's done so well.  Many families can't say the same.  We are very grateful for the technology and God's grace that saved her life.