Last Clinic Visit of Phase III

Kaitlyn had her last clinic visit of phase III yesterday. In comparison to recent clinic visits, this one was fairly easy. They did not have to access her port or give her a lumbar puncture, but she did get 3 shots. Two intramuscular shots containing a type of chemo in her legs and a flu shot in her arm. She also finished up her oral chemo last night. Now, she gets a week off until her next phase is scheduled to start.

Her next clinic visit is scheduled for next Thursday where, if her blood counts look good, she will start Phase IV - Consolidation II, which lasts for 27 weeks (almost 7 months) and proceeds in 3 week cycles. It really isn't much easier than what we have been experiencing. She will still have clinic visits weekly, but every other week, she will have two because of the way her treatment is scheduled. So, next week, we have to go in on Thursday and the following week, we have two visits, the following week one, then two and so on until the end of the phase.

Kaitlyn's doctor and the nurses at the clinic our becoming like family. In fact, yesterday, Kaitlyn told all the nurses that Dr. Keuker was her boyfriend...lol. But when he came in and asked her about it, she said he was her buddy. It was too cute. It is nice to see her continue to be so open to him and the nurses even when they do "bad stuff" to her. Mike & I try to reinforce that they are helping her to get better and that they are her friends. Even though we would still rather not be there ate all, they really are a wonderful staff and treat all of us wonderfully.