Chemotherapy Complications

We finally made it to starting Chemo. I thought that this would never come. Every time we were to start it seemed like something got in the way. We came on Wednesday and started all her drugs that night. This time Brooklyn was to get three drugs with a second dose of one the next day. Because of drugs in her system they have to pump her full of fluids to make sure that everything gets moved through quick enough and not staying in her body. Well, after her last surgery there was a pocket up fluid building up on the back of her head. Her neurosurgeon said it was okay as long as it doesn't leak. With the amount of fluids they were pumping into her the pocket of fluid swelled considerably. So the oncology department called the neurosurgery and her doctor came and thought that we could do a temporary drain. They can do it either at the top of her head or on her spine (like a spinal tap). They opted for her spine so they didn't make another site for infection with her head still healing from the surgery. They had to put her under and do it in an OR because she got chemo and they needed the most sterile environment. That was put in on Friday. It started to drain a considerable amount but they checked today and it still isn't enough. There is still fluid built up in the back of her head. We were told today not to expect to go home any time soon and she could potentially need a permanent shunt. I feel a little ripped off. I was told we were only going to be here two days tops. I think they tricked me. Brooklyn is doing really good and understands everything that is going on so she is being so big and brave. Her nausea passed pretty good and we were able to keep it under control for the most part. The biggest problem we are having right now is she has mouth sores from the chemo. I was told it was like a cold sore only twenty times worse and in your mouth. They have some rinses that help but she still won't eat. We will keep our fingers crossed. I will keep updating our blog so everybody knows whats going on.

Lagoon!!

Before Brooklyn started Chemotherapy we decided to spend a day at Lagoon. She hasn't been before and loved every minute of it. As we pulled in the parking lot she got really excited and said, "Mommy! Look! Its a playground. I want to go!" She has had a rough recovery from her surgery because the lining in her brain didn't seal up as much as they would have liked (having three brain surgeries doesn't help apparently). She had a fairly large pocket of brain fluid in the back of her head. The Neurosurgeon wasn't concerned as long as it wasn't leaking. So it was okay but just didn't take away any pressure or swelling which means, she still can't walk. This didn't stop her from having an awesome day. I was so glad my sisters and their kids could come. I know she looks like a sick kid. She hasn't even lost her hair and I am making her wear a bandana. I was just trying to protect the incision from touching anything gross and protect everything from the sun.
My sister, neices, nephews, and of course Brookie.
Brooklyn and her cousin McKay
Brooklyn and her cousin Maddox.

The only ride Brooklyn got scared on. She even rode the big viking ship with all the adults and thought that was fun.

Going Home!!

I know that everybody is going to be surprised, but we were able to come home today! I didn't post anything yesterday because I kept getting good news and wanted to wait till I can post everything. Brooklyn did so well in the NTU. She was so much better than last time. She didn't fight with the nurses or techs at all. We had some amazing nurses that really helped her get through it. She went the whole day yesterday without morphine and all of today without loratab. By the time we came home she was just taking Tylenol and ibuprofen. It is so amazing that she can have in depth brain surgery and go home four days later with just some over-the-counter medication. We started going physical therapy yesterday and she loved playing with the toys but couldn't walk. Her hand eye coordination has improved in just a few days. There is still a lot of swelling and we won't see much improvement till that goes down and it usually takes a week.

When we left the hospital today then we were able to pick up Brooklyn's puppy. She was so excited! He is so fun to play with and the people we got him from started paper training him and he actually has only gone on the paper or outside. He plays really hard and then just sleeps. We are still working on a name for him and hopefully when Brooklyn can move around better we can post some pictures. She loves to watch him play but can't really jump in there. Porter sure jumps in there and I think that they will be best friends. So far the whole family loves him a lot. I will keep updating my blog on Brooklyn's progress and her treatments. Thank again for all the comments and prayers.

Recovery Day 1 & 2

Brooklyn's surgery went really well yesterday. We got here at seven and had an MRI to scheduled for eight. This MRI is different than all the other ones. This one is called a sterotactical MRI. It helps find the best pathway to the tumor. As we were getting ready for the MRI the nurses and anesthesiologist came over and said the surgeons first surgery cancelled and the OR was ready for her right now. This was awesome cause they were thinking we wouldn't get in till ten. So we walked down to radiology with Brooklyn where they gave her general anesthesia and took her to the OR directly from there. I would have to guess but I think that she went into surgery around nine. She was in roughly seven hours and I didn't get to see her till five thirty that night. Good news though, the surgeon felt like he was able to get everything. Brooklyn has had a harder time waking up than with her other surgeries. She mainly just slept for a day and an half. The neurosurgeon said that because of the swelling it was putting some pressure on that part of her brain and it would go down. Yesterday late afternoon she starting being herself. She starting to be really fussy and move her arms and legs.

We had to stay in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) another night. They couldn't do her MRI yesterday because her breathing kept going too low and they didn't want to intibate her again (breathing tube). They won't let us go to the NTU (neuroscience trauma unit) until they get the results from the MRI. This is the first time we have spent more than a day in the PICU and it is not fun. Hopefully, everything will comeback on her MRI normal and we can be down graded. The NTU is just a step down from the PICU. You still have to call to come in but they will let you use your cell phones and don't regulate the visitors as much. We really want to be downgraded so Porter can come see Brookie and mommy. We sure miss that little stinker. My mom has been watching him at my grandmas and I guess he is doing awesome and probably forgot that he even has a mom. I will try to keep daily updates on Brooklyn's progress.

Family Update

I know that almost everybody has had to go to Paige for updates so I will try to do better. Porter is now nine months old! H[e is huge and trying to walk everywhere. So far he is only able to walk along furniture (fingers crossed!). Derek has started an internship with Telford Ag. He is their bookkeeper and also managers a large account they have with Reesers Food. I am pretty much doing the exact same thing. Brooklyn, as most of you know, has had another set back. We went in for our routine MRIs before starting chemo and there was another tumor. We talked with a lot of doctors and after some time decided to go through with another surgery. The neurosurgeon felt like this was still a good option because it has not spread anywhere. The bad thing is how quickly the tumor came back and with another set of radiation. This is going to be a rough summer but we decided to help Brooklyn get through it by getting her a puppy. She is so excited. We are picking it up on our way home from the hospital and the people were nice enough to let us come play with it before her surgery. We want to thank everybody who has kept us in their prayers. We hope you all know how much we love and appreciate you and will try better to keep people updated.

It's a boy!!

Yes I got my ultrasound yesterday and we found out we are having a boy. I know that a lot of you didn't even know that I was pregnant but honestly we were so preoccupied with treatment I forgot myself. We are really excited to be having a boy after having the perfect little girl. Brooklyn is really excited and points out babies everywhere. So far the ultrasound showed that everything is healthy and normal. I am due August 19.