What next.....!

We headed over to Addenbrookes yesterday for Lauryns chemo, however due to her platelet count being too low, she couldnt have her Methotrexate so only had her Vincristine (a quick batch of chemo put straight into her hickman line).  I dont know if i have ever explained Lauryns Hickman Line (Wiggly), so I probably should do. 

Basically it is a central line that is inserted into the main vein in the side of her neck, down into her heart. It is used to take bloods, and deliver chemotherapy and other medicines without having to constantly use needles. Lauryn is on her second line now after her forst kept getting infections.

At first, the prospect of the line going was horrifying to me. She had it inserted in August under general anaesthetic in the big theatres of Addenbrookes-they do small all the big surgeries up there and her small procedures in the day unit.  Its all very daunting up in the big surgeries, and I hate leaving Lauryn there especially as it is quite far to get to. I take her up with the nurses, and once she has been put to sleep, they give me a pager so that I can go off safe in the knowledge that they will beep me when she has come out of theatre. In reality, I actually spend most of the time she is in there pacing, worrying and loitering round the long main corridor until I get that beep.

When her first wiggly was put in, I hated it, it looked scary to have an incision mark on your 5 yr olds neck and a tube hanging out of her chest, and 7 months later, it still has the same effect, only now I am completely indebted to it. This line has proved an absolute godsend as it has eased treatment for Lauryn, and taken away the traumas of cannulas and endless peripheral blood testing which proved exrememly difficult after a while because Lauryns veins were so overused. I still go abit funny when Evie goes to pull on it, or if other kids get to close to it!!!

Lauryn has coped remarkably well with her wiggly and is fiercely protective of it when others go near it. The problems we have with it, are of course the risk of it getting infected, not being able to go swimming or getting it wet, and Lauryns allergy to the plasters that cover the hole where her line comes out.

So, anyway, we went to have chemo yesterday, and I showed the doctor a rash that has appeared on Lauryns back. Unfortunately they have said that it is shingles, so she now is on anti-biotics to try and get rid of it. Im trying to get Evie to catch it so that we can get chicken pox over and done with but shes just too healthy!!! Thank god!!