A relatively good week

After the difficulties Phoebe suffered with the third round of chemo we wondered what might happen this time round. we are happy to report that this week Phoebe has coped well and remained relatively healthy.  

Last Saturday we were due to care for Phoebe while Rachel, Matt and Reuben went to a wedding; but Phoebe having had a bad night, wanted Matt to stay, and so Jen and Marcus went to the wedding service instead. However, we were pleased to get a text message partway through the service from Matt asking us to go to the hospital and take over from him; Phoebe was now willing to have us care for her.

Marcus spent Wednesday afternoon with Phoebe, and then Thursday late afternoon, evening and night with Phoebe. They got along well, reading, watching films, snuggling up, giving Phoebe a back scratch (which she loves, and distracts her from pain elsewhere). Phoebe retains her mischevious streak. On Friday morning Marcus went to get her breakfast, and as he was leaving she asked to look at the photos on his phone. Later in the day he found that she had added three more! Two of her room - and the 'selfie' below!

A selfie!

Today Rachel posted the following update in the '#PrayForPhoebe' Facebook group:

This week has been fairly uneventful - which is good! Phoebe's been in a fair amount of pain in her throat (due to chemo) and she is on regular doses of morphine which may need to be changed to a constant morphine drip if no improvement today. She is also struggling to keep fluids down today. 
Tomorrow is a significant day as it's the last dose of chemo for this cycle, and therefore the last dose altogether. We all can't wait to be rid of the awful nasty horrendous toxic poison that is chemo! Hopefully just another couple weeks in isolation for recovery and then we'll be outta here! 
Please pray for patience to endure - now that the end is in sight it almost feels harder than ever to be stuck within these 4 walls day in, day out, and we are all a little stir crazy! Thank you!

Jen continues to collect Reuben from nursery Monday to Friday and then has an enjoyably tiring afternoon with him. He is overjoyed to see mum or dad come home in the late afternoon, and they spend some time together before tea and bedtime. 

We continue to be heartened by your support. One friend has texted us every day since Phoebe's operation in February to remind us she is praying for us!

Fourth and final round of chemo

Today (Thursday) marks the start of Phoebe’s fourth and final round of chemo.  

Here is Rachel’s update:

"Last week's MRI results are in and we're relieved and delighted to know that it's all clear with no signs of any growth! Her hearing test was the same as the last one so no further damage has been done. But her kidney function has declined further to the point where it is no longer safe to use Cisplatin for this cycle of chemo - instead she'll be given Carboplatin which is less damaging to kidneys and hearing, but more damaging to bone marrow. This means she'll likely take longer to recover from this cycle, ie stay longer in isolation while blood counts are down and she has no immunity. It also means she'll need more platelet transfusions and blood transfusions, which have previously sometimes caused itchy rashes. Please pray for the patience to endure the next several weeks well! Thanks."

We are so grateful for all the wonderful support we’ve been receiving over the past months, and ask you to keep going with us until the treatment is complete.  We are all tired – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually!  Phoebe continues to amaze us with her resilience and usually cheerful spirit but obviously this year has taken a terrible toll on her in every way.  Even though in many ways it feels that the end is in sight, it will be a long time before she has a healthy appetite and the energy she used to enjoy.

Matt is recovering well from hip surgery – another two weeks on crutches though!  Reuben is back at nursery on weekday mornings, and rugby on Saturdays.  He is happy enough with us, but often asks when Mummy or Daddy are coming home so it’s clear that he is really looking forward to life getting back to normal.

Last Sunday we were encouraged by the sermon at church from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 on the subject of God's comfort. You can listen to it at www.thecrowdedhouse.org/project/gods-power-in-our-weakness/ 

We thank you again for all your prayers for Phoebe, Rachel, Matt & Reuben and ourselves.

Chemo cycle 3 completed

During the last week Marcus has been spending time with Phoebe in isolation. Matt had to be away in London having a hip operation and was not able to be with Phoebe, so Marcus was with Phoebe instead, so preventing a lot of extra pressure on Rachel. This was a special time and they played, read, watched videos, and made the following messages to put up at Phoebe's window when friends came to wave to her.

Phoebe also did some painting and had times of rest.

Painting - out of hand!

Sunday morning nap

We are more than glad to report the end of cycle 3 of chemo now that Phoebe’s blood count is up again and she is able to come home for a short break.  Phoebe is really looking forward to having the temporary lines in her neck removed today (Tuesday) and enjoying her first deep, splashy bath in months!  After being so terribly ill early in this cycle it is wonderful to see her doing relatively well, eating small snacks and cheerfully playing games, doing craft etc. She will have to return to hospital on Thursday to have a new Broviac line fitted, which is necessary for the fourth round of chemo.

Today she would normally be starting the new school year (in year one) and she is hoping to be able to visit the school before the final chemo cycle starts on Thursday 10^th September.

Matt had surgery on his hip last Friday and is now back home on crutches and painkillers!  

Jen has continued to spend much of her time with Reuben; he is looking forward to nursery restarting today and will be there for 3 hours each weekday morning.

The Lollars are looking forward to being all together for most of the coming week and then we all gear up for the last round of chemo in the hopes that it will go more smoothly than the third.

As Phoebe says, 'Thank you for praying'.