Day 36
January 5, 2005
Shelby and Justin spent the day with thier dad. A very normal day for Shelby. Her spirits are very good. If you read Shelby's "Blog" for the day, you will notice some idiot kid made fun of Shelby today in school. Maybe I am being harsh on the kid, because kids can be so cruel at this age. Shelby told me that Dan Parker was going to beat the kid up - and I can't condone that type of behavior. But it was a nice gesture on Dan's part to defend Shelby's honor. I always liked those Parker boys, - they are very entertaining. And NO Dan did not follow through with it.
However, I was very PROUD of Shelby for the way she handled the situation. She wrote in her blog with a "matter of fact" attitude. She was like basically - do you have a question about me and my cancer - well just ask!
Day 37
January 6, 2005
Besides that she is losing her hair rapidly - Shelby had a good day today. She went shopping today with Amy O'Conner and Shannon. She bought mostly new hats. But the highlight of her day was that her new baby sister was finally born. Haley E. Ruark was born today at 4:24 pm, a whopping 8 pounds even. Shelby & Justin could not wait to get to the visit to greet their new sibling. Shelby & Justin both held the baby, and Shelby helped with her first feeding of the baby Haley. (You can see some photo's by clicking www.haley.weloveshelby.com ) Charlene and I think the newborn will be very therapeutic for Shelby and help towards her recovery, because it will keep her mind focused on helping raise Haley.
Day 38
January 7, 2005
Shelby had another routine day with attending school and getting in some practice for Drama Club.
But Shelby did something very inspiring and astounding today - and showed us she is not going to let cancer get to her. Today she decided that she will choose when her hair comes out and not the cancer. Shelby had her Dad shave her head! Again, I am impressed by her courage. Later that night with complete confidence, Shelby went to the ECA School dance with one of her new wigs. She told me she had a great time.
Day 39
January 8, 2005
You may notice in Shelby's "Guestbook" a few entries of inspiration from Randy Clark. And Shelby has reciprocated in Randy's "Guestbook." Although these two have never met they share a special bond. They are both fighting cancer together. Only they know the true hell of this situation. They also comunicate via email, and Shelby's Dad has talked with Randy over the phone. Most of you know that Randy is a Northfield Police Lieutenant and his wife Michele is a Police Officer with Charlene and I in Atlantic City. Well tonight was a benefit for Randy at the Log Cabin in Margate. Shelby asked me if we could attend, because she wanted to show her support for Randy. Of course I could not turn down that request! We went for about an hour and a half. Shelby got to met some very wonderful and caring people. When we left, we were walking back to the car and she said to me "I am glad we came". Her heart is always, always in the right place! We then went home and watched some of the football playoffs and Shelby held baby Haley. They fell asleep in each others arms.
Day 40
January 9, 2005
Tomorrow Shelby goes to CHOP for a 5 to 6 day stay for chemotherapy. She is getting in as much time as possible with baby Haley. We had some visitors come over to visit baby Haley and Shelby (Barry Wythe, Pauly Malsow, & The Bennetts). Poor Justin was sick and was quarantined to his room, when he came out he had to wear a mask so he did not get Shelby or baby Haley sick.
Day 41
January 10, 2005
Shelby and I arrived at the clinic at 11:00 am. Her blood counts are good and her body can handle the chemotherapy treatment. We met her Nurse Practitioner - Pat Brophy. Shelby and I were very pleased with her, she was super nice and very informative. Nurse Cindy and Nurse Theresa of the Day Hospital were equally as great. They all took super good care of Shelby.
To pass the time tonight we made some popcorn and played on the computer in the hallway. She checked her Guestbook, wrote a blog, then we played online computer games.
Anyway, Shelby is in her room (3 South 19) resting comfortably (it is 2:15 am) her chemo today went good - no make that excellent 
. If all goes right she could be home by Friday night.
Day 42
January 11, 2005
Not much to report today, other than she had her second treatment of chemo. She is handling it well, a little tired after they finish but other then that - smooth sailing. She basically gets 2 drugs. Each take about an hour to adminster. The first is ETOPOSIDE (or VP-16) that is followed by IFOSFAMIDE. She will also get other drugs during the day for anti-nausea (ZOFRAN) (SCOPOLAMINE). The chemo drugs are so powerful on her bladder that the constantly have her hooked up to an IV for fluids, so she urinates almost hourly, and they give her another drug called MESNA, this coates the bladder to protect it. So now that you have had a little medical insight into her treatment. As the day went one her energy came back. We took a little trip up to the Research Center on the 8th floor for a change of scenery. As soon as we got there her monitor started to "beep" with a problem. We thought we would have to pack up and go back to the room, but a phone call from the research staff cleared that up. The nurse (Steph) took a "field trip" up to the research center so Shelby did not have to be disturbed. She is eating well, other then she does NOT like the Hospital food. Towards the end of the evening she caught up on her Guestbook messages and did a blog.