Day 13

     We posted some new pictures today, so don't miss those!  Our Katie has always been good natured and sweet. She takes things in stride, and she is as tough as a boot!  She seems to be taking cancer in her usual Katie style.  She has done her best to be a good girl and to be happy, even though she is on steroids.  The doctors told us steroids would cause her to be extremely moody and "impossible".  A mother in the hospital described it as "roid rage".  We have experienced some of this...out of no where and for no apparent reason, Katie will start screaming or get really fussy, and eventhough she is two, this is not typical for her.  I know this has been hard on her, because I can tell she wants to be happy and good - So, we just wait it out and then hug and hold her.  The steroids also make her very hungry.  Katie wakes up saying she wants to eat breakfast and then all day long she says, "I'm hungry".  Katie has always had a sweet tooth (she takes after her Grandma Nygren), but interestingly, since the chemo and steroids have started, she doesn't want to eat anything sweet.  It is strange!  That's not all bad, but she doesn't even want to eat fruit - nothing sweet.  Katie craves eggs, noodles, cheese and crackers.  It is hard to get her to eat anything else.  Whereas before, she would eat pretty much anything.  The steroids will cause her face to get puffy(er):) She allready has some cheeks!  But it will not be a permanant Puffy condition.
     Katie is on 3 different types of chemo.  One of the chemo's effects her ability to walk.  Katie can walk, but she slaps her feet and waddles like a young toddler.  This was expected and it could go away with time, but if not, she will need physical therapy.  Just another fun side effect of chemo.  Katie goes in tomorrow for another dose of chemo and some antibiotics.  Her hair has thinned out, but after this, it will really start to come out - so she will be getting a haircut soon.  Since we have been home from the hospital, Katie has been very lethargic, but she still manages to play and have fun.  She now asks for help walking up and down the stairs.  She can't climb up onto the couch anymore and I will find her laying face down on the floor from time to time (because she is too tired to do anything else).  Katie loves to have mommy hold her (and mommy loves to hold Katie - it is just hard for mommy to get anything else done!)  Conner is also having mommy issues.  He wants mommy to hold him all the time and carry him up and down the stairs too.  Conner has been having nightmares.  Katie and Conner (and Scott and I) have not been sleeping well.  I guess we are all "scared".
     Katie's immune system is very low right now.  There is a number (I can't remember what it is called) but if it is lower than 500, she isn't supposed to go anywhere or be around people - yesterday, Katie's number was 130 - so we have to be very careful with her!  Overall, Katie is still her sweet self, just tired and hurting (and probably frustrated and confused). She is so brave and strong!  Katie still brings light and joy into our home.  She loves to laugh.  Scott and I are doing our best to take care of each other and all our kids.  (This has also been hard on our 15 year old, Nathan, but we are muddling through together).  Scott has been a rock.  I have my moments - strong, weak, happy, sad, silly, mad...and today a few moments of totally loosing it - Scott just took that in stride too.  Today I am glad for an easy going husband who can make me laugh even when I am crying - and for a daughter who takes after her father!