Monday MRI

Gracie went for a followup MRI on Monday morning. We haven't talked to a doctor since, but we have no worries about the results. They didn't do the MRI because they were worried about anything, more just because it's protocol and they want to make sure she's okay as she completes chemotherapy. She'll go for many more "routine" MRI's throughout her life. She did well at the MRI, they didn't use general anesthetic, but rather gave her a hefty dose of chloral hydrate to make her sleep (91.8 mg/kg). Boy did it work. She slept for a long time and then was grumpy for a few hours. She perked up right around bed time. Wouldn't ya know it. Actually she wasn't up too late, so we were really grateful.

We've noticed since the last chemo that Gracie's pupils have been unequal. They're reactive to light but the right eye is sluggish.  Last week I called Gracie's ophthalmologist Dr. O. to ask her about this. I don't think she got the message until Tuesday morning when we got a phone call asking us to come in that day. (Yes, people like us are the reason why she has such long wait times some days) After she got done the examination she said she wasn't sure why the pupils are unequal, maybe it's the chemo? But she wanted to see us right away to make sure the cancer hadn't spread into the anterior chamber of the eye, which is one of the two ways that this cancer can exit the eye. She ruled that out, but boy are we glad she didn't tell us that she was concerned about that in the morning. It would have made for an extremely stressful day. As it was we were able to go blissfully (relatively) about our daily routines. I'm sure she had more angst about it than we did. Sometimes I really enjoy ignorance. 

Gracie also had blood work done on Tuesday morning. The results were:

HgB - 8.5

Platelets - 92 (good thing because she bonked her head REALLY hard Monday night)

TWC - 3.7

ANC - 550

We're scheduled for her sixth and FINAL round of chemo next Thursday!!! We're pretty excited about that, but we don't know what to expect after that either. The cancer was supposed to be gone after 6 rounds and it's not. So where do we go from here? We've discussed several options including proton beam radiation, radiation plaques, enucleation and even just observing for a little while. Hopefully we'll know more by next weekend. 

Thank you to those of you who have expressed interest in doing the Relay for Life with us. I'll try to remember who all said they wanted to join our team and send you invitations online. If I forget you don't take it personally it was a complete mistake. We still want you on our team! I believe you can sign up directly through our Relay web site (there is a link on the right side of the blog page), if not let me know and I'll send you an invitation. This year the Relay is having an 80's theme and so let me know if you have any good ideas of how to decorate our campsite or a team subtheme. Feel free to post any ideas you have. I've considered getting Atari's for entertainment, but I'm not sure if we'll have access to electricity. It'll be so much fun!