"Hey Dad, are you still home?"

Hello it is DADDY-O.

Yesterday, as Jane and I were walking out the door to head to work, my cell phone rang. It was Emily calling from upstairs softly saying, "Dad, are you still here?" She said "my throat is on fire." One of the side effects of the Methotrexate is mouth sores. Up to this point, it hadn't been much of a problem. We gave her some pain medicine and called the Clinic to report the issue. We were given a new prescription to pick up and were asked to call the nurse back at noon. By the time I got back from the pharmacy, Emily had gotten sick. We think the pain meds triggered some nausea. Unfortunately, Emily was unable to keep anything down throughout the day...not breakfast, not water, not gatorade, not pedialite pops, not broth. Throat sores and a bucket!  What a combination on a beautiful, sunny spring day. When she is unable to keep anything down, dehydration becomes a concern.

We are trying very hard to keep Emily on her treatment schedule.  We are also trying hard to allow her to enjoy her days out of the hospital.  Nobody wants her to be in the hospital any longer than she needs.  To me, this is one huge balancing act.  She gets hit hard with the chemotherapy drugs, then we use an arsenal of other the drugs to manage the side effects.  We are still developing the recipe specific to Emily.  But we also know it will be a lot of trial and error.  Rest is important and it doesn’t take much to tire her out.

At 2:00pm, much to Emily's dismay, it was off to the S20 at the Clinic. They suggested we pack a bag (a soft way of saying that she would be spending the night) which was the last thing Emily wanted to hear. The thought of an early entry to the hospital was especially disappointing because there are so many of Emily's great friends visiting on their spring break. We also had plans to attend a special healing prayer service later in the evening.  We were hoping to just get some IV fluids in her and then carry on with her day.  As Emily has so often done, she bounced back and was feeling better.  Using her strongest powers of persuasion, she convinced the wonderful caregivers at S20 that she did not need to spend the night.  YEAH!!!  Take it from me, the women of teamevans have serious persuasion game.

We were so fortunate to have been able to accept the invitation from the Cianciabello family (John JCU Grad ’84 and Anna) to a prayer service for healing at St. Stanislaus Church.  Emily was one of five people to receive special anointing after we prayed the Joyful Mysteries.  Part of the special grace she received included laying on of hands and the MITRE of Pope John Paul II.  When he was a Bishop in Poland, before becoming Pope, he visited St. Stanislaus and appreciated the connection of this ethnic church to his homeland.  Emily was able to have his MITRE (fancy Bishop’s hat ) to be placed upon her with the Prayer for the Intercession of JP II.  This was really something special and another weave to our faith, our most favored Pope and story.  Clearly, another example of “world class” care for our sweet Em.  Thanks to John and Ana to include Emily in this special attention and care.  This was well timed, as it could include the group of Emily’s friends from SLU who are here on Spring Break and a handful of friends who could join us on short notice.  It was a moving night of healing ….

It is now early Wednesday morning, and we are preparing for her day of treatment.  I am confident that she will be energized by the beautiful weather and support of her amazing friends.  This will be her second dose of the Methotrexate.  We know a little bit more of what to expect.  She will get 6 hours of fluids before the 4 hour drip of the Methotrexate begins.  The drip always brings a dose of intensity and reality to this treatment.  Emily takes this on with such courage and grace as she fondles the IV line and watches the fluorescent fluid enter her body.  We expect today to be a day of good energy.  It should be easier to “keep her head up.”  Tomorrow we will be focused on “keeping her head down” and letting her sleep through as much of this visit as possible.  Thanks again to everyone for your continued support and love.  Please look out for each other.  As we saw in the service last night, there are still many people battling similar (or worse) circumstances all alone.  We are so blessed to have the entire Teamevans nation pulling for Emily.