2/1 (Wed) – Good appetite
We went back to the Pediatric Oncology for routine checkup. Dr. Mazewski and Dr. Watkins were excited about Cici’s improvement. However, Dr. Mazewski also pointed out that Cici’s symptom were not as severe as other kids with tumor of the same size. Cici’s improvement is exceeding expectation but not exceptionally outstanding.
One of the side effects of taking Decordron (the steroid) is the big appetite. Cici is constantly in the good mood to eat. She wakes up at 7am everyday to look for food and eats 5-6 full meals a day. But right now that seems to be a good problem to have. As long as she has regular bowl movement, we will let her eat as much as she wants. We try to avoid excessive meat and tend to feed her with veggie and fruit (mixed fresh berries, grape, and pear) and PowerAde. She love Chinese dumpling (JiaoZi and BaoZi). Thanks for God’s love, brothers and sisters at our church have been delivering food (dinner and fresh fruit) to our front door 2-3 times a week.
One of the side effects of taking Decordron (the steroid) is the big appetite. Cici is constantly in the good mood to eat. She wakes up at 7am everyday to look for food and eats 5-6 full meals a day. But right now that seems to be a good problem to have. As long as she has regular bowl movement, we will let her eat as much as she wants. We try to avoid excessive meat and tend to feed her with veggie and fruit (mixed fresh berries, grape, and pear) and PowerAde. She love Chinese dumpling (JiaoZi and BaoZi). Thanks for God’s love, brothers and sisters at our church have been delivering food (dinner and fresh fruit) to our front door 2-3 times a week.
1/27 (Fri) – Feeling better
Cici only vomited once in the morning as oppose to 5-6 times yesterday. She is clearly doing a lot better in the afternoon. Radiation has been proven to be effective to treat DIPG. But the positive effect normally will not start to appear until 2-3 weeks of radiation. For Cici, her tumor reacts to the radiation faster than doctors had expected and therefore her symptoms were mitigated dramatically.
1/25 (Wed) – Constipation
Cici hasn’t have bowl movement since last Monday. Her tummy was so rigid that she cannot eat anything without vomiting. The doctors at the Radiation Center prescribed Laxative for her to use. After application, Cici felt much better. Her strength and appetite has recovered a lot during dinner time.
1/23 (Mon) – First Radiation
Today is the first day of the scheduled radiation treatment. Cici was very nerves. She vomited in the car as we drove around the parking deck of Winship Cancer Center. When the nurse put on the mask for her, she tightly held on her mother’s hand until the nurse find a stuffed teddy bear for her to grab.
1/22 (Sun) – After all is set to go
On Friday we start to feed Cici with the steroid (Decordron) and drug that control nausea. She is feeling better but still weak. Church pastor and elders come to visit us Friday night and we pray together for God’s mercy. Just like our friend’s 7 year old son puts it “When I shot basketball, do you know what happen after the ball left my hand? It is in God’s hand!”. Lord, we’ve done all that we can, now we rest as we should and wait for your mighty hand to compose the miracle.
1/19 (Thur) – Meet with the Radiation Oncologist
This morning, we went to Emory Hospital’s Winship Cancer Center to meet with our Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Natia Esiashvili. They have Cici's radiation mask done today. The mask is made of plastic that shaped according to patient’s facial structure. It is to lock the patient’s head on the radiation board so that the laser gun can precisely focus on the target spot each time as it goes.
