Session 5 - February 2011 (the end)

Hi Everyone! I had a fantastic round! I wasn't sick at all this time - can you believe it?! I didn't really post anything more about round five because it was just BORING! We love boring! The only thing to report from the whole round - my hair finally gave up. It all fell out in my last three days at the hospital. It was already really short so by the time it finally fell out - no one really paid much attention. I am just sooooo cute with my million watt smile - who needs hair! Mom can't torture me by putting my hair into bows, braids, pony and pig tails. YIPPEEE!!!

Session 5 - February 2010 (Beginning)

I was admitted for my fifth session on January 31st. We found out that I have to have seven days of chemo on this round and that means staying in bed for a week. Ouch! That is really the hardest part for me next to staying in a small room. I recognized where I was this time and I started crying as soon as we walked into the hospital. This round started with a bone marrow aspirate. I was taken to RTU and put under sedation. The procedure takes about 15 minutes so I'm not out for very long. My bone marrow looks really good these days so no biopsy was needed - that hurts more so I'm glad I don't have to have that done. The results were AWESOME! No visible signs of leukemia! Pause for a moment for me to do the happy dance... These treatments are working and I only have one more to go! Bring on the chemo baby and load up the bed with noisy toys, books and balls! I've got all the nurses wrapped around my finger and ready to help entertain me! My newest thing - dancing in my bed! My Mom opens the blinds on my door and I stand up in bed and dance for the nurses at the desk to watch and wave at me. They like to come in and join me. My Mom and Dad are known at the hospital as "Jessie's Mom and Dad". They hear all the time that I'm everyone's favorite patient!

Session 4 - Over half way done!

I was admitted to the hospital for my fourth round on New Year's Eve. I rang in the new year knowing that I'm over half way done with my chemo sessions. YAY ME!!! My Mom was with me and we had a great evening with just the two of us. The Kids Crew team brought us items to make some really cool New Year's hats. We had feathers, buttons, pipe cleaners and glue. I had a great time throwing the buttons on the floor and trying to eat them faster than my Mom could get them away from me and glue them on the hat. We danced and played and went to bed around 11 - too partied out to stay awake! I spent the first four days attached to George (my IV pump) getting my chemo medications. I really don't like staying in bed... but the four days were over before I knew it and I went into count recovery. Unfortunately my body is starting to realize that I'm getting chemo and I was nauseated from the start to the end of this round. My medications aren't much different - but I had a hard time. I was still my super happy self - just not as clean. :) Good thing the hospital has washers and dryers to use! I have some incredible nurses - My favorite nurse is named Irish. When he is taking care of me, he comes in and smells my feet and whistles that they are stiiiiinkyyyyy!! I just giggle and giggle over this and hold my feet out for more sniffs! I love getting into the pockets on their scrubs and Irish started putting treats into his pockets for me to find. This has ruined it for the rest of the nurses - I just pull out their chapstick and saline syringes. Tracy, one of my techs, comes in and colors with me and she even let me color on the walls! That will come back to haunt my mom later!! Thank heavens for Magic Erasers! I got really tired of being in my room during this session and started getting creative about my escape plans. Nurses and techs would come in the room and I would try to hide under the sink next to the door. As soon as the door opened - I was outta there! My Mom let me ride a cool car stroller around the halls for a while - I shouted WEEEE and HI to every single person I saw. Since most of the staff has taken care of me at some point, there were a lot of people to talk to on this adventure. Irish had brought a crazy stuffed monkey that danced and made lots of noise when you took his banana. That was fun! My count recovery was good and I was released after two weeks and five days. That was pretty awesome for my family! There are only so many times a person can watch the same Disney movies over and over again. I'm not sure my Mom will ever watch another Tinkerbell movie...

Special Gifts

I have a very special friend that is close to me and my family. My adopted Aunt Gina. I got to spend a lot of time with Gina on Sunday's when she would hold me and play with me. We grew very close and I love her very much. She moved this summer and when she heard the news about my cancer, she had a special gift made for me. It is very beautiful and I will treasure it forever! It was made in my name and is called "Jessie's Bird". The bird is to help me remember to be strong and that I will "fly" again. It was made with a lot of love and I am very grateful to have Gina as part of my life!!!

Christmas 2010

I have to say - I am very happy to have been able to spend Christmas at home with my family!! It was the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! Our family was truly blessed by our wonderful neighbors and friends. We were showered with delicious meals, tasty treats and some very generous donations to help out my family. People really are amazing and there just aren't words enough to express how grateful we are for all of the support. I was released from the hospital the week before Christmas and got to spend almost two weeks at home with my family. Since school was out that week - the entire family was together and boy did we have fun! I went to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Jane's house for Christmas Eve. I love playing with my cousins and we ran all over the entire house. I had hugs and kisses for everyone! I went to bed kinda early from all the energy I spent... The next morning was Christmas and Santa brought me a small trampoline to help strengthen my legs and I laughed and giggled every time I jumped. I also got some great toys to take back to the hospital for my next round. One of the biggest surprises to see when I got home... my Mom had gotten a new addition to the family - a new dog. I wasn't too sure about him at first but after he learned not to get too excited around me, I warmed up to him. He is very soft and will let me pet him without licking me!!