Big day tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big and important day for Phoebe. She has another bone marrow aspirate to see how well her disease has responded to the most recent chemo. The last test showed an increase and we need good news. We really just can't focus on anything else right now. 

Phoebe started chemo on Friday after a ten week break, and she has received six doses of two different drugs since. There are some side effects, but so far all is relatively good. Phoebe is tired and not eating as well as we are used to, but we are not seeing the same moodiness and depression that we did last time on this protocol. The plan is to continue with chemo on Friday and hope that the bone marrow results are good enough to not require any additional drugs. There is a tentative plan to add another drug if the results are not improved. 

There is still a very, very small chance that we may be able to make it home for a few days over the holidays, but we are not expecting this - mostly because by the time we find out if it is a real possibility, flights will be expensive and it will be right before Christmas. In some ways it is easier, safer, and less stressful to stay put. The holiday spirit is alive and well in our little Memphis apartment thanks to Mae and Phoebe - our tree is up (complete with a "monkey angel" on top at Phoebe's request), letters to Santa have been written and Mae and Phoebe are counting down the days. We have driven around and around many Memphis neighbourhoods admiring fancy and extravagant lights and we never get tired of the excited shouts from the back seat. It is not the same without the snow (hard to believe) and friends and family, but we are all together and out of the hospital, so it is as good as it gets right now. 

We are hopeful but also worried, and really just taking things one day at a time. Phoebe and Mae help us to focus on the good and positive because it is hard to focus on the worries when they are around and so joyful. We are thankful for them and for the love and support being sent our way.