Wednesday, April 11

Treatment #25 today, only 5 more to go. Unbelievable and a bit scary too to think that this will be over next week and we can come home. Hannah is really amazing all of us with her ability to walk and dance and even run! She is not doing any of these things alone yet, but to see her run down the hall with her therapist is very exciting! Her doctors have all given her great reports, and we were told today that she is doing very well. Here levels aren't what they would be normally, but they are somewhat acceptable for a child receiving radiation treatment. They're trying to build her up as much as possible before she does begin her next hurdle-that's the chemotherapy. They attribute much of her recovery to not starting the chemotherapy yet, which tends to really set most kids back during their rehab. So it's been a blessing that she hasn't received the chemo yet, and that her body has been able to get stronger. Here is Hannah with one of her many mermaid creations-thank you Nancy for hours and hours of mermaid fun (and I'm kidding about the hours and hours part)!

Hannah began a bit of preparation with the therapists today for her release and return to home and school. This is very emotional for her. It's safe here, and all of the kids are in the hospital with something. Having no hair and being in a wheelchair is normal here, but won't be once we get home. Preparing her for that is what they are working on now. We are hoping that Hannah will be able to go to school after we get home and before she starts her chemotherapy, so look for her back in school very soon. She will need to continure with her physical and occupational therapy once we get home, and she will need to begin to prepare for her chemo, so her attendance may be somewhat sporadic, but we're hoping she can start half days right away!

Tomorrow we're all set for a field trip to the Atrium Mall with the other kids and therapists. They will have a mall scavenger hunt, take a tour around and just relax out of the hospital. They do theraeputic field trips every Thursday, so this will be our last one. We're both looking forward to a little time away for some fun, and the kids do have a good time together when they go places. They feel safe together, and they all really know each other now.

Here is a picture of Hannah with her new dog Scruffy. She loves this dog and has decided to take it with us around the hospital, outside of the hospital and even over to the proton center for treatment. You probably can't see the medical tape attached to Scruffy's feet, so that Scruffy doesn't get too dirty. It does seem to be working.
XOXO Kim