HOME and deep breaths before Scans
We've been enjoying being all together again so much that I haven't taken the time to sit down to update that we are HOME! Charlotte's last round of radiation was Thursday. She had a later appointment then usual that morning, so we had packed up the car and were ready to hit the road right when she was finished. We drove to VA to see my family and rendezvous with Taylor and Parker who arrived there on Tuesday to spend time with grandparents while they are on school break. Friday, we all headed home together. Needless to say we are soaking up every drop. Whether it's harmonious or chaotic mayhem, makes no difference. They are the music of my life. I feel like I can take a deep breath now that we are all back together at home. We are so grateful even though the deep breath is short lived.
Charlotte has scans this week, along with various assessments to check organ functioning like kidney and lungs and heart. We are then meeting with the doctors on Thursday to go over scan results. She will have a full body CT, an MIBG scan which detects Neuroblastoma, and also a bone marrow biopsy. These scans are really disease evaluations. We are praying Charlotte's scans are clear. She has done so amazing and our hopes are Gods plan is for her to keep going and keep moving on this road we are on. We need to start immunotherapy and this last part of her protocol works best on minimal disease. Clear scans does not mean she doesn't have cancer. Clear scans means there is no cancer able to be detected which is a perfect scenario for us at this point. Immunotherapy will help her body attack any hidden disease that may be residing in microscopic amounts. Thank you for sending prayers up for our Charlotte. You all have been right along with us on this journey and so by now I'm sure you can feel the anxiety that starts to encroach upon us when it's time for scans. This is when we feel Gods marvelous and miraculous ways at work. We pray to feel a sense of calm and peace instead of fear and worry. You all have walked step for step with us, tears and smiles and all. Please walk a little further if you can and lift Charlotte up as we approach the week where we will get a good picture of what we are still up against.
Charlotte has scans this week, along with various assessments to check organ functioning like kidney and lungs and heart. We are then meeting with the doctors on Thursday to go over scan results. She will have a full body CT, an MIBG scan which detects Neuroblastoma, and also a bone marrow biopsy. These scans are really disease evaluations. We are praying Charlotte's scans are clear. She has done so amazing and our hopes are Gods plan is for her to keep going and keep moving on this road we are on. We need to start immunotherapy and this last part of her protocol works best on minimal disease. Clear scans does not mean she doesn't have cancer. Clear scans means there is no cancer able to be detected which is a perfect scenario for us at this point. Immunotherapy will help her body attack any hidden disease that may be residing in microscopic amounts. Thank you for sending prayers up for our Charlotte. You all have been right along with us on this journey and so by now I'm sure you can feel the anxiety that starts to encroach upon us when it's time for scans. This is when we feel Gods marvelous and miraculous ways at work. We pray to feel a sense of calm and peace instead of fear and worry. You all have walked step for step with us, tears and smiles and all. Please walk a little further if you can and lift Charlotte up as we approach the week where we will get a good picture of what we are still up against.
Even though she was feeling pretty awful after she woke from anesthesia this time, Charlotte rang the bell signaling end of treatment
Team here threw her a mini party and she also rang the gong
Last radiation treatment!
20 rounds done!
Off for home!
All packed up
Amigos back together at Grandmas and Choo Choos! Thanks so much to Nana Schuey and Poppy for bringing them up to meet us.
Cousin time with my nephew Evan
Evan and my brother Uncle Tim. Not pictured is my Dad and Dottie (Oogie and Nana) but we all got to visit and see each other at my Mom and Mikes, along with Nana Schuey and Poppy! One of my best friend's Janice and her kids also
came to see us. It was a great celebration of Charlotte. I was too busy having fun to take pictures
Heading home TOGETHER!
A welcome home from our amazing neighbors and friends
A new bike as a welcome home gift from mommy and daddy
She's so proud
Below: Some pictures of our last couple days together in Philly❤️🌈 Brian and I were emotional leaving CHoP. The nurses, doctors, and even some of the parking attendants had become important people to us during this leg of Charlotte's journey. God worked through each and every one of them in the most amazing ways.
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