Well we didn't end up needing a platelet transfusion last week. We also didn't have to visit the ER due to any fevers so it has been a fairly calm week. We did start to notice that Audrey was shedding more hair than usual and that has only gotten worse the last several days. She thinks she is funny when she reaches up and pulls out a little chunk (usually while eating so it's a nice avocado covered handful of hair). It is really the first physical sign of the chemo meds and makes it all the more apparent what they are doing to her body. Fortunately at this age plenty of babies have no hair and she is sure cute enough to pull off bald! We are just hoping her trademark lashes don't go too!

Wednesday we had labs and a visit with the doctors. Her counts were back up which means she was ready for Cycle 2. She also gained weight (.2 oz but we will take it!) Her appetite hasn't changed much so far and we have a nausea medication that we can use for her as needed. We were able to get a few questions answered with the docs as we have had a little more time to settle in and think about everything. We have yet to meet the Doctor who is really the expert on neuroblastoma- but are confident she is contributing to Audrey's care plan and we hope to meet her soon!

Thursday we went in bright and early for our Chemo Cycle 2. This included 1 repeat med and 2 new ones. Like I mentioned before these new ones are a little scarier and there were additional meds she got throughout the day based on side effects of these. We had to be in the infusion center until 5:15 or so which made for a long day. Fortunately she was still able to get a couple of naps in and we brought plenty of toys for distraction. We hope all of our cycles go this smooth and pray we can continue to be outpatient for the remainder of her treatment.

Next week we go in to visit her docs again (check labs and growth as well) and we will be doing another echo on her heart. One of the new meds has been known to damage the heart muscle and due to Audrey's prior heart condition, this could be more likely for her. Pray her heart is safe and protected against this.

Cycle 3 is already scheduled for the 10th as long as her system has rebounded by then. This will be a three day cycle again like Cycle 1.

Fortunately our happy girl's attitude hasn't changed. She has been playful as ever and has started taking her first couple of steps unassisted. Her first birthday is less than 2 weeks away and though we wish the circumstances were different, we are so excited to celebrate our strong girl.

As always, thank you so much for your prayers and kind words. Thank you for your continued support as we keep moving along this unfamiliar road.