Karly has finished with chemo cycle #10. She did this cycle outpatient and it was much easier on her. She enjoyed sleeping in her bed, playing her xBox and she ate MUCH better than normal. Monday through Friday she went to the clinic and received the pre-meds and 1 of the 2 chemo drugs while there; then they sent her home with a backpack containing the 2nd chemo drug, fluids and the bladder cleanser. The backpack contained a bag holding 3100mL at once, it was the biggest bag I had ever seen. I had to have a mini lesson in IV pumps before we were able to leave with it on Monday, and of course the only time I had to do anything to the pump was in the wee hours of the morning. Friday was a long day at the clinic because Karly needed 2 units of blood and each unit takes about 3 hours to transfuse. Lexie got to go with a group a kids from the hospital Friday morning to watch "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". She loved it and it made it easier on all of us since we were at the clinic all day. Karly went to the ATC(ambulatory treatment center) Saturday to have her bag changed. I will have to admit that the pedi clinic has spoiled us! The other areas of the hospital are not as wonderful as they are in pediatrics. This morning we headed back to the ATC and she got to get rid of her backpack. I am not sure if her next chemo cycle will be this coming Thursday or a week from tomorrow (Monday).

Karly will being radiation on Monday. That is the main reason she had to receive blood Friday. Radiation will also cause her counts to drop so they basically need to be perfect since she will be doing both chemo and radiation. She is scheduled to have 31 radiation treatments. This will be done every day, Monday-Friday.

Once again I want to say THANK YOU for all the prayers, cards, gifts, calls and messages. We have the greatest friends and family in the world!