Day 22
December 22, 2004
Today is a monumental day because it is the day Shelby starts to treat her cancer. It is a day we all have been waiting for and a day we all dread. "The neccessary evil".
It was going VERY well. She was in great spirits until she had a bad reaction to one of the anti-nausea medications. She had uncontrolable twitching. It was tough to watch and she was extremely annoyed. We had to wait almost 2 hours for the drug to reverse the reaction. She then fell asleep, probably from exhaustion. Charlenes' Aunt Darlene and Uncle Joe came up for a visit, Shelby was pretty out of it though.
She woke up about 11:30 at night. She called Charlene at home to wish her a good night (this made Charlene sleep much better). Shelby then watched some DVD movies with her Dad and then went back to sleep about 3 am.
A pretty good day - 
with one really bad hour 
.
Day 23
December 23, 2004
Shelby had a very uneventful day - which is great. Her spirits were very high. Off to a good start! At Shelby's request Charlene and I went to the Attales School to video tape her Christmas Party. She could not be there but felt this was the next best thing. To further her "feeling" of the party, we brought her some of the pizza they had, as well as some cupcakes and party bag.
When we arrived she watched the videotape, she laughed out loud quite a few times. That was a good feeling for everyone!
Aunt Dawn sat with Shelby while all of us (Bart,Shannon, Charlene and I) went to the learning center classroom for some "hands on" training. We had practical training in some of Shelby's homecare. This is very important homecare, because she need injections daily and we must keep her Broviac -extremely clean. If she gets an infection it would be huge set-back for her recovery.
Shelby is doing great - she is eating well, going to the bathroom and in little pain. All goods thing! Dr. Adamson tolds us she is going home tommorow!
Bart, Shannon, Justin and Aunt Dawn went home for some rest, and Shelby is wrapping presents (for some of her best friends) with her mom on her bed. It is 9:17 pm and Shelby just finished her first batch of chemotherapy.
The Best Day YET! 
Day 24
December 24th, 2004 (Christmas Eve)
Shelby was discharged from CHOP today at 1:00 pm. She is over her Dad's house for some rest. She has some daily medical treatment and then will return to CHOP in the 2nd week of January for her next batch of Chemo. Of course this is if she does not have any complications such as fever or infection.
Merry Christmas to all !! 
Day 25
Christmas Day
Shelby had a busy day - but a good day. She woke up at her fathers, to unwrap gifts from santa and Shannon and Dad. (Check out the pic in the photo album). Shelby (and Justin) then went to Grandmom Bobbies for some more unwrapping. In the afternoon Shelby (and Justin) came to our house for MORE present unwrapping. A busy day - but what kid does not like unwrapping.
Grandmom Maggie, Aunt Colleen and Cousin Kyle came over for a visit. As well as Uncle Ryan, Aunt Kim and Cousin's Nicole and Ian. The Mancinelli's dropped off some gifts for our family, these gifts were the most elaborately wrapped gifts we had ever seen - incredible! My mother (Cecelia) came over and joined us for dinner. Charlene cooked a delicious ham for dinner, and we had a great Christmas Dinner.
A Very Good Day - 
Day 26
December 26, 2004
A very normal day for Shelby. Shelby was in good spirits today. I would have to term this the most normal day she has had all month. It was a typical Sunday in the house. How we take these days for granted!
A very good day!
Day 27
December 27, 2004
First thing this morning Shelby had her braces removed (early) by Dr. Bray. Shelby's Oncology Doctors stressed they had to be removed. Braces house bacteria, and bacteria is very bad for Shelby's health. As it turns out her teeth straightened out quickly and look perfect.
Shelby's had a second Doctors appointment today. This one was for a blood test. This one would give us her white blood count. The result was good - but not great, we expect better with Thursday's blood test.
We finished out the night by watching Monday Night Football (Eagles vs. Rams).
A good day.
Day 28
December 28, 2004
Shelby had her haircut today. Knowing that she is going to lose her hair. Shelby decided to cut some of hair off and donate it to LOCKS OF LOVE. Being the unselfish person she is, she felt it best to put her hair to good use. If you noticed the new picture on the first page of this website you will see the new Shelby. No braces and shorter hair. She is accepting her new look well.
On this night Shelby would bravely attend the viewing of Lawrence Hersh. Lawrence is the father of Gage Hersh, a classmate of hers. Lawrence succumbed to his battle with cancer at the young age of 57. Shelby felt a need to support her classmate at his time of need.
I think this was a mixed day for Shelby 