Day 25 - Delayed Intensification

So today was the day. I got my hair shaved today. I got there, met some very important people from the Dominion Post, then I had to report to the registration desk where I got a bravery bead and a shampoo and conditioner sample from the hairdressers at the event :-). I got my "before" photo taken and then it was time! It actually didn't feel as overwhelming as I expected to sit there in front of the crowd getting all my hair shaved off, it was a bit windy and afterwards know why I usually prefer to have hair. And then after the "after" shot left to go back to the hospital.

So here is the photo you have all been waiting for - me with no hair. It was comforting to know (from my hairdresser) that I had no scars or bumps on my head.

So a big big thank you also to Hannetjie Main, Ouma Amanda and Eric, Craig, Catherine (who emailed me about her donation), Mark Beatty (one of Terence's Mo Bro's at his work), and Bhavesh Lala. Thank you so much for making it possible to participate in the Funrazor event and with your support I managed to raise approximately NZD$1,536.00. You have made such a huge difference and with your support it will be much easier for kids like Bianca to "walk" this road... It was a very uplifting experience!

Today was a much better day. Sure, Bianca still had a down moment or two when she got a bit of a high temperature and she wasn't very happy when they asked her to stand up for the X-ray today, but for most of it it felt as if she was almost back to her old self. She had a few giggle moments and also really enjoyed a play date in her room with Elijah and Stephen's little brother (sorry not sure how to spell his name). The three kids played with play doh and made some silly shapes. It felt so good to see Bianca interacting with some other kids.

Bianca is busy losing her hair again. This afternoon she played a game where she wanted me to put my hand on her head, then I need to look at my hand with this shocked expression as I notice the hair on my fingers. She just giggled so much.

So they have now worked out what type of bug Bianca is growing - it is a bacterial infection and not viral which means they can treat it with antibiotics. Sorry, although they told me what it is called, there is no way I am able to remember. I do know that it is not the same bug as last week. So now yet another antibiotic added to her list. Either way, we are still in for a 10 day admission, possibly longer if she is not well and there is a possibility that Monday chemo might be delayed. I really hope not, because delays would just drag this phase out longer and will probably push us over Christmas.

Sanna took the cutest photos of Caitlyn:

Medicines today:

• Tazocin (through IV)
• Gentamicin (through IV)
  
• Co-trimoxazole - 6.25 ml in the morning, 6.25 ml at night
  
• Omeprazole - 1 capsule a day
• Fluconozole - 10 ml at night
• Metronidazole (through IV)
• Erythromycin (oral antibiotic)