Quick Update from New York City

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not updating the blog more often(that really was my intent), but this process has been much harder than anticipated and has really taken its toll on me both mentally and physically. Most of my energy each day is holding myself up and making sure I have no more ER visits (2 was enough for me). Not quite sure what has put me over the edge but whatever it is it has me weak, tired, sad, anxious, and I spend most days crying uncontrollably when I'm alone. The thought of coming back here in 3 weeks gives me heart palpitations. I think I'll need to get on some good drugs before going through another cycle.

Elio, my dad, and the kids arrived Friday and we spent Anthony's birthday here in NY together. It was so good to see the kids but quite honestly I did not have the energy for them. We did central park, Rockefeller center, and Times Square - and that's about it - they were done after all that. Anthony went to the NHL and all the toy stores and picked out his birthday gifts. The Ronald McDonald house even got him a whole bunch of gifts and we got him a big ice cream cake to share with the house. The house even gave him and Elio tickets to last nights NY Rangers game. Now he thought that was the coolest way to spend his 8th birthday. Unfortunately he spent all night and all morning throwing up and is crawled up in bed and has to board a plane in a couple of hours. Poor baby I hope he feels better soon, and that Julia doesn't get whatever he's picked up. The countdown is on.....% more days till we come home.......I need an uneventful 5 days. Julia will have her last cell transfusion of the first cycle on Wednesday. She will go back in on Thursday for her final lab work in NY and than off we go Friday back to Sick Kids and they will do the remaining tests over the next 3 weeks. After that Sloan would like to see her back her the 2nd week of January for cycle 2. Can't talk about this right now.........

I will try and update you all after Julia's last cell infusion. Otherwise we will talk to you all when we return. Your thoughts and prayers and words of encouragement are always appreciated.

Nadia