The Incredibly Anticlimactic Start of Delayed Intensification

Well, today did not go at all like I thought it would, and really, has it ever? I don't even know why I act surprised anymore, it's all very par for the course.

As we were driving into Children's today, I received a phone call from the clinic. Brooklyn had been scheduled for a lumbar puncture with chemo. It was news to me, no one had even mentioned such a thing at the last appointment. For those who don't know, a lumbar puncture with chemo requires at least 8 hours of fasting followed by anesthesia. I, of course, had just fed Brooklyn a gigantic plate of bacon and eggs thinking that it would be the last thing she'd ever willingly eat for the next two months. Apparently, our oncologist had ordered the LP two weeks ago. An order that disappeared into a black hole the moment it was written. Then yesterday they came across the misplaced order and put her on the schedule last minute. Except that no one ever called to let us know that this had transpired.  Lots of finger pointing took place and finally the doctor threw up her hands and said fuck it, lets just try this again on Tuesday. So that is what is happening. Tuesday.

I did get to take a look at the next road map. Its a doozy, but still not nearly as craptastic as the first month was.

Six weeks. It looks like this-


-1 dose of Peg asparaginase and an LP with Chemo in Week 1

-Once weekly doses of Vincristine and Doxorubicin (I've been informed that this new drug is nicknamed "Red Devil", which, really is quite comforting)

-Steroids, 7 days on, 7 days off and 7 days on again. (I'm currently stocking up on Avocados and frozen pizzas)

-An antacid once daily to counteract the steroids

-An anti-fungle FOUR TIMES DAILY!

The doctor says we can expect her to be pretty sick and tired, and the rest of her hair could fall out (there isn't much), which, honestly, is the least of my worries at this point. Also, this Red Devil shit is supposed to turn her tears and urine red. Look out for Brooklyn's debut in the next big Korean Horror film.

 What is left of BK's scraggly head of hair.

This is the home stretch, we are so close to long term maintenance I can almost taste it. Hopefully, by July we will not only be celebrating our sweet girls third birthday, but also celebrating the close of this chapter in Brooklyn's fight.