Day 43
January 12, 2005
This was the middle of the stay for Shelby, we thought is was a good day for visitors. To bring her interests up and give her a change of pace. The chemo is going good. No real problems.
Lori and Victoria Mancinelli came up to visit along with Charlene, Justin and Baby Haley. Shelby was a little slugish but happy to see visitors. She also went to the tutor today to keep up on her school work. Later in the afternoon Bart came up to stay with Shelby for the next 2 nights while I went home for some rest and quality time with baby Haley.
Day 44
January 13, 2005
Pretty much a repeat of the first three days, except that Shelby got a treat from dinner. Shannon drove all the way from Absecon to deliver a special dinner from Famous Dave's in Mays Landing. This is one of Shelby's favorite eating establishments.
Day 45
January 14, 2005
Shelby completed her chemotherapy today and did not have any complications so she gets a furlough. She went to her dad's house and got to sleep in a real bed!
Day 46
January 15, 2005
Shannon got up early to take Aunt Shelly to work and let me sleep in for some much needed rest. I still can't Thank her enough for being here with me. Shannon took Shelby to the basketball game to hang out with a bunch of her friends. We figured today would be a better day to hang out with friends, before her WBC counts go down. Shelby's cousin Kelly came over later and they hung out for most of the afternoon while Justin hung out with his cousin Stephen. I had to run off to work. Shannon had gone shopping and made a wonderful dinner for everyone, sauteed spinach with lots of garlic was a hit.
When I got home from work Shelby & Aunt Dawn were still awake while Justin & Shannon were fast off to sleep. We stayed up for a little longer swapping stories for the evening. By now it was getting very late (2am) and it was time for Shelby to get to sleep. I figured since it was the day after chemo that she was all amped up because they would be waking her almost every 2 hours while we were in the hospital. Well, PS, she finally fell asleep about 3am. I followed close behind about 4:30am.
Dad
Day 47
January 16
Today Shelby woke up about 6:30 feeling a little sick to her stomach. She came into my bedroom and let me know this so I went to her bedroom with her. I got her a glass of water and one of her pills. The one I gave her helps with nausea and anxiety. Then I cozyed next to her and we both feel asleep for a few more hours. I heard Justin up and moving around so I let Shelby sleep while I got up with him. On my way out of Shelby's room she said that she would like me to make some pancakes for her. Shelby & Justin love pancakes. So I got up and made some pancakes. When I was finished making them she was fast asleep. Justin was fighting a cold himself so I had given him his antibiotics. Once Shelby woke up she conned me into serving her breakfast in bed ;-). Pancakes and a tall glass of grape juice. Well I thought she liked grape juice, but ever since she drank the contrast (Liquid medicine taken before MRI) mixed with grape juice, she doesn't like grape juice that much. So we got a tall glass of OJ instead. We all went to the back room on the computer, and there Justin fell asleep, Shelby & Aunt Dawn read the Guest Book. What a great bunch of supporters. Later Shannon and Shelby had some fresh broccolli and carrots with a few different dressings, yum..yum. I on the other hand ate a bunch of Krispy Kremes. Then off to work I went. Shelby & Justin went to Mom & Rodneys later.
Dad
Day 48
January 17, 2005
Shelby could not fall asleep last night, so Mom slept in the bed with her. When we all got up in the morning Charlene made us French Toast - or as we call it "Freedom Toast". I took Shelby to ACMC for her bi-weekly blood test for her "counts". She is feeling very sluggish and weak. The chemo might be getting the best of her. But she will rebound, she always does. We are getting use to the roller coater ride of her physical well being.
Shelby is taking an afternoon nap on the couch with baby Haley napping on her chest. They are good for each other. 