Photo and visitors

The original pictures have now dropped off the current blog display, so here's a new one with Maddy showing off her hairpiece.

You might think she looks a bit disenchanted in this picture perhaps (she's surprisingly camera shy), but moments later she was giggling at the Simpsons and woofing chocolate cake (thanks Jo).
If you look carefully, you can see the doxorubicin (it's red) on the drip trolley.
For newer visitors, the post with the older pictures are still available in the Archive or in Previous Posts-Infection (see RH side) or at this link.

Alex, Natasha & Nicola (from school) visited this morning, really lifting Maddy's spirits - thanks girls. Daisy and Auntie Wendy are scheduled for tomorrow.

Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is one of the chemo drugs that Maddy was coping with today. The drugs probably don't warrant much of a billing in their own right, but this one looks a bit more interesting because it's a bright red liquid, administered by infusion. "Is it blood ?" asked Bertie (Maddy's 6 yr old brother) - not such a daft question, especially as she did have a transfusion just over a week ago.
Like almost all the chemo drugs, there are plenty of unpleasant side effects, although these can usually be mitigated by (even more) drugs. Maddy's also taking another chemo drug, in tablet form called prednisolone. It also has plenty of unpleasant side-effects, except it also has just one positive side effect in that it enhances appetite. Sure enough, this was evident this evening, as Maddy demolished a chocolate eclair (provided courtesy of one of the nurses - thanks Judith), in world record speed. Compared with the last few days, Maddy has eaten really well today.
She may even have a chance of putting on a bit of weight now after having a gastro-nasal tube fitted that will feed her whilst she sleeps at night. This was done under general anaesthetic this morning, administered primarily for an intrathecal procedure (similar to a lumbar puncture).
This along with other treatments for NHL are outlined in more detail on part of the CancerHelpUK site here.
The Yates family made a very tame (if not lame) contribution to the completion of the mega-jigsaw (1000 pieces) in progress in the lounge.
This is a whole-ward effort that patients and families dip into for a few minutes at a time, but it's proving to be as challenging as some of the treatments.
At the current rate of progress, Maddy will have completed her treatment before we've even got all the straight-edged border pieces in place.
Some of Maddy's school friends are in Leeds to go shopping tomorrow, so will call into St J's for a visit.

Third cycle

Maddy's third cycle of chemo started today. This is really quite tough for her as she had been looking forward to spending a short time at home around now - but she also knows that it's all for the best.
Allison & Katy are scheduled to visit this evening.
Maddy's protocol (treatment regime), is in its updated form, here.

Many thanks to all those people who have given encouraging support, either to Maddy directly when visiting or via Chris or Julie or through posting comments to the blog. Remember that anyone can leave a public comment that Maddy and Julie can (and do) read in hospital. As Maddy starts her third cycle, this blog is just starting its second week and already it's been seen by over 80 different people. Thanks for all the feedback.

Five days ahead.....

The title for this entry could have been "Brighter and breezier", as that's just how she was this afternoon, even compared to yesterday.
But why "five days....."?
Maddy's neutrophil count has recovered really well, to some sort of normality. Her reward for this achievement is that she will now not be let home on Thursday, but can start her next cycle of chmotherapy 5 days early, instead. This sounds a bit tough perhaps, but is is, in fact, good news, and is recognised as such by Maddy herself.
When I've got a chance, I'll update the protocol (linked from the previous blog entry) to reflect this development.
She's had her last dose of morpheine and was released from the blessed drip trolley for just a few hours this evening. After some chips brought in from the local chippy by another parent, Julie & M enjoyed a brief stroll outside (!), before being reconnected for her hydration as a preliminary to her chemo tomorrow.
Now the schedule's been rejigged, Maddy's quite keen for visitors, especially over this coming weekend.
If you think you might like to see her (and/or Julie), give them a call or text them on one of their mobiles: Maddy - 07742277982 or Julie - 07730921720.

Bright and breezy....

...are the best words to describe Maddy today.
She was decidedly lively and chatty - only breaking off from an extended call with her schoolfriend Helen because her tea arrived. She's eating quite a bit now, in addition to the TPN 'feed'. Her morpheine is now at the smallest possible dose (no IV, oral only). She does look absolutely stunning with her head shaved - very eye-catching.
She had a 'spike' (a one-off) with an above-normal temperature late yesterday, so that confirms Thursday as the earliest possible return home, but we're all really heartened by her attitude and general demeanour.
A number of people are interested in her treatment regime (known as a protocol).
I've put a summary here, for those who would like to know a bit more.
This should open in a new window that you can close to return here when you've finished with it. Please note that dates are approximate.

On the up

Maddy's had a better day today. Her temperature is back to normal and her neutrophil count is rising. These two indicators suggest that she's 'turned the corner' with the infection. She got up today for the first time since Wednesday and spent much of the day in the lounge/day room. Her morpheine is gradually being reduced and one of her anti-sickness tablets has discontinued.
Maddy had her head shaved late yesterday, so she's really part of the club now. Julie says she looks really beautiful. Chris will confirm, no doubt, when he visits tomorrow......

Ice Cream !

So there is such a thing as a Free Lunch...........and it happens on Sundays at St James's, where all the Yates family (excl Maddy!) enjoyed a trad Sunday lunch plus pudding on the NHS today.
It's a once-a-week treat for all visitors. The good news is that Maddy did enjoy her first food for several days - ice cream. Quite topical given the weather. Cool foods are probably all that she can tolerate at the moment, so she might try frozen lollies and yoghurt, as well as more ice cream, over the next few days.
She's looking and sounding a bit better today (yes we heard real words), but she enjoys alphabet signing, not least because relatively dim parents can't keep up with her blurred fingers and she thinks that's funny....
Her hair is starting to drop out, but again, given the weather that seems almost like good timing. Still seeing the positives, as she has done from the outset, Maddy appreciates the benefit of not having to concern herself about shaving her armpits.
She changed her course of antibiotics last night (Saturday) as she is still running a high temperature and her neutrophil count is effectively zero. This means that the 5 day clock is reset- so earliest return home will now be Thursday. There's a small chance she might not get home at all before starting her third cycle.