Weight.....

Second day at pboro for anti-biotics today, arrived at 11am after having a quick look round Peacocks for some 'pretty summer dresses'.  As the sun has come out, so do Lauryns dresses. Yesterday she managed to squeeze herself into her favourite pink party dress that she wore for her 4th birthday party....so off to the shops we went to get her some better fitting ones!

When we arrived at the hospital I was told that although Lauryns platelets are not at their lowest, it was agreed that she would still have a platelet transfusion today because of the bleeding gums and bruising i pointed out yesterday. Its amazing how quickly you pick up on and begin to recognise these symptoms.

So anti-biotics diffused, afew fluids and then a platelet transfusion later and we were on the way home.  Today does bring about a new issue though, as Lauryn was weighed today. We were given a 'cut off' weight at the beginning of treatment, based on Lauryns height etc, which was 18kg. If she goes below that, she will have to have an 'NG tube' which is basically a tube inserted through the nose down into her stomach so that she can have artificial feeding straight into her tummy.  I have always dreaded this, as the tube is put in with her conscious and I am not looking forward to her having to go through that and having to watch it happen. Todays weight is 18.5kg, which means she isn't starting the new block of chemo well and will more than likely end up with a tube. 

I was told early on that the majority of children on Lauryns regimine have to be tubed during the intensive parts in the first year so I should prepare for it. However, somehow, Lauryn has managed to avoid having one, which the doctors have said is excellent, as there are many times along the way where treatment renders her too nauseous, her mouth too sore, her appetite wanes, or generally just too unwell to eat. The dieticians advice is, as always, throw all your healthy eating out of the window and give her as much fatty, high calorie foods as you can. Yes, all those years of getting her to eat healthy and limiting junk are undone while she is on this treatment as the fattier and junkier, the better!! 

Therefore, my mission over the next week or so is to force as much fatty food down her as i can....normally not a difficult task, but at the moment, post infection and illness and with a sore mouth and throat, its proving a real battle.