Monday, March 19

This is a picture of Hannah with the amazing horse cookie bouquet that she got from her cousins Kate and Lynsey, and her Aunt Rosemary. We brought them with us up to Boston to show everyone also. After about 5 weeks, she has decided that she wants to eat them. They were probably very good when they were fresh, but I have to break them for her now so they don't break her teeth. She loves them though, so if she'll eat them, I'll let her have them.

Today was treatment day #8. Only 5 more full spine and head treatments, then onto the "boost" tumor site only of the higher radiation. That is my next goal here, since then the anesthesia and time for each treament will be less and maybe she'll start feeling better afterwards. Hannah said tonight that she likes going over for the "beam", it's fun there, she likes going to sleep and just she "loves that place". It's strange what you come to appreciate in this situation. She is asking quite a few questions now about her surgery and this whole thing. She does remember quite a bit from Stony Brook and that timeframe, but I hope that will fade as time goes by.

Besides her daily proton beam treatment, Hannah receives daily physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, childlife interaction and now tutoring. Today she began working with Andy, the tutor here for all the kids. He is a young, energetic guy, very "Boston" hip, and a favorite with all the kids. They have waited until now so as not to overstress her, and to be sure she was physically ready to keep up. Now I see why they waited. Tonight about a half hour after all her therapy and tutoring, she started crying that her eyes were dizzy, and she had trouble seeing. She has already had problems with double vision and slight nearsightedness, which is common following this type of brain surgery. The problem has been intermittent, so they have not treated it yet, just watching it. After a bit of rest, listening to some of her new book on tape (great idea cousin Sam) her eyes felt better.

xoxo

Kim