Today Carlie had a good talk with Liv about all that has happened and what else she can expect. She knows that the "Little Sucker Ball" needed to come out. She knows that she will need to have regular medicine called "Chemo" and that sometimes it may make her not feel so good. She also understands that this medicine is necessary to make sure there isn't any more cancer in her body. So yes, she knows she has cancer... which is so hard to even type. Surreal.
She doesn't know that she won't be going to school yet. (this is going to be a very challenging discussion as unlike most kids, Liv LOVES school) We want to have a full picture of what to expect before we have that discussion. Likewise, she also doesn't know that she will lose all of her hair :-/ Although on Saturday she and I had an interesting and impromptu conversation while out on one of her walks. She saw a picture of a young girl with no hair in one of the many signs promoting cancer groups and associations and she stopped and said, "Hmm that's interesting." Sensing an opportunity to open the discussion, I asked her what she thought was so interesting. She said, "I don't know... I see this girl with no hair and I just think it's really cool. Like, she seems really strong. But why doesn't she have any hair?" I explained that there are some medicines that people need to take but that it makes them lose their hair. And that was sufficient enough. It gives me hope that when the time comes for the conversation that she'll remember that little girl and remember that she too will be strong. Knowing our baby girl, she will be rocking tattoos and glitter on her bare head with a smile on her face (we hope?!)
Continued blessings from friends like Nicki who brought us ridiculously good food (I was partial to the steak) and love. Carlie's good friend and Naturopath, Dr. (Liz) Dudek, came over and gave both Carlie and I a much needed nutritional IV packed full of all sorts of good stuff to build up our bodies and immune system. Nine days of sleeping on a hospital floor (and a tinge of stress) has had us both on the verge of getting sick. At times it's proven difficult for us to accept all of these gifts of love but we're learning to let go and be loved, and this IV treatment is one I'm glad we accepted. I can already feel the vitamins coursing through my veins and we are eternally grateful for people like Dr. Dudek who truly want to help. The wine doesn't hurt either....
Other than that, Liv is outstanding. I think the biggest issue moving forward will be getting her to understand that she has to take it easy for some time while her little body heals. Tonight she was showered with love from the neighborhood kids who have been dying for her to get home. Liv created a game called, "Liv Bucks" where participants can earn the afore mentioned bucks by doing nice things for Liv. Not even cancer can stop that little freight train from pulling out of the station LOL! It was bitter sweet as tonight was also the last night for our super amazing neighbor Lisa and her two equally amazing kids, Vivien and Max... they're moving closer to where their life happens and we will miss them dearly.
Hopefully we'll get our diagnosis tomorrow and have more information to share then. Thank you again for your continued love, prayers, and support
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