Nearly there

Maddy's finding this chemo cycle a bit tougher than the previous round, but still not as bad as the earlier cycles. She's sleeping quite a lot, but manages to get up for a bit at some point in the day. She's starting to appreciate the idea that she's nearly there now as she should be home within the next 3 to 5 days. Now that Derek's been evicted from BB, Maddy's less interested in the outcome, although the whole family agrees that they now want Eugene to win. Some of the smarter and more wholesome amongst you won't know of or care anything about the blessed reality show, Big Brother, but it's been somehow unavoidable for Maddy and her family as the show's duration has mirrored her treatment period to within a day or so......and there are enough interested teenagers, staff and TV sets on the ward to 'draw in' even the most recalcitrant.
Whatever, (as the yoof of today say) Maddy will finish her last bag of Cytarabine sometime on Monday and that will signal the end of the wretched, bleeping, drip trolley.

Ward 10T

Maddy's pleased to be back in the teenage unit for what is, hopefully, her last significant stay at Jimmy's, having spent much of July in the adjacent Ward 10 (mainly caring for younger children).
She's put her last bag of Methotrexate behind her now and has just 5 days of Cytarabine, one more IT and a couple of organ function tests ahead of her and then she's finished her treatment.
Maddy had her penultimate IT today without any problems other than a bit of backache afterwards. Her appetite has damped a bit, but her weight is far less a concern now, compared with three or four weeks ago. She's still getting up and around into the lounge, but it's rather quiet as most other patients are confined to bed for various reasons.
All in all, Maddy's coping really well.

Last cycle....

...starts tonight (Monday).
Maddy's had her blood test at home this morning and by lunchtime learnt that she'd 'passed', so to speak.
She'll be at Jimmy's for around 19.00 and will start with hydration overnight and then the chemo drugs on Tuesday.
It's not easy to say how long she'll be in hospital for this time, but it will probably be for at least one week

Quiet

It's been a quiet weekend in Hebden for Maddy and her parents. The boys are away until Sunday night, staying with family friends in the Peak District and many friends and neighbours are also away on holiday. Maddy was visited by Alex, Katy & Natasha though, along with Mandy & Katie (Alex's mum - aka "The Chauffeur" and sister).
Unusually, the Yates family are well up to speed with the latest film releases - Tim Burton's production of the Roald Dahl story, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" being the most recent title to join the list. A truly sumptuous visual feast of entertainment and rather dark humour, in the Dahl tradition.
On Sunday, Maddy's having a day out in Derbyshire to watch her brothers sailing.
Then there's the possibility (incredibly slim chance of course), that Monday's blood test at home may herald a return to Jimmy's that same evening to prepare for the final cycle. (It's good to be able to say final, instead of fifth - although both are accurate descriptions).
More later...........