Kaelyn's CP Blog

We’re heading home!

kms — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:41:31 +0000

The time has come to say our goodbyes. We will truly miss our new friends and the families that we have spent our time with during our stay. We hoped to see them in the future. We are ready to go home, though. We miss our families and home dearly.

9th and final injection

kms — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:33:14 +0000

We had our final stem cell infusion via IV this past Monday. Kaelyn did great, as usual. The biggest issue was finding her vein for the IV. She was not a happy camper about being poked a number of times. We watched ‘The Avatar’ TV show and entertained her the best we could while the IV was running.

9th injection

8th injection

kms — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:27:42 +0000

This time Dolly McParton, a gift from our Irish friends, joined us for the 8th and final spinal injection (We have one more IV to go before heading home. YAY!). Dolly escaped the IV, though, since K made it through without too much of a fuss.

Jack, one of the interpreters, entertained K before she went in. She loved it, of course. At least, Tia got a chance to relax for this one.

Happy Bday, K!

kms — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:08:10 +0000

Kaelyn celebrated her birthday on the 4th at the hospital. K was the ‘princess’ for the day. She loved it!

We started out the day with Tia making cinnamon toast for K in Happy Bday letters. They were delicious!

Great start for the bday... Thanks Tia!

In the evening, a number of the staff, along with the families we have gotten to know while here, got together to celebrate her bday over a potluck dinner. We had a great time and got the opportunity to try out dishes from some of the other parts of this world, even a couple of the local dishes. K was extremely excited.

It was perfect considering that we were missing our regular family celebration.

And, then the following morning, she got to celebrate it all over again with the family via computer.

Nearing the end – 7th injection

kms — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:24:00 +0000

We made it through the 7th injection. Tia & I have had to get more creative as the injections pass. This time, Babita was chosen for the IV.

K and Babita getting the IV

Passing the time

We also tried having Tia be the one to take K to the OR hoping that it would distract her.

Heading to the OR with Tia

It did until she realized where we arrived at. So, Tia got funny. The things she did in the OR waiting area had the folks laughing at us and thinking we were absolutely certified, esp. Tia. At least, it kept things interesting and K entertained until they were ready to take her in.

Dr. Wang

Babita playing hide & seek

Babita in Tia's shoes

K trying on Tia's shoes

6th injection pics

kms — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:44:28 +0000

Heading to OR

Finishing up - 6th injection

Ling with K - 6th injection

5th injection

kms — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:00:16 +0000

K had her 5th injection this past Friday. Ling joined her once again in the IV ordeal. As injections pass, Tia & I are becoming more creative with the IV process. Pretty soon, Ling will be headed into the OR for the injection, too! K did great as usual. Her biggest issue is the soreness in her back after the injection, so we are managing it as best as we can. I think that she is starting to get tired of being at the hospital day to day, so we try taking walks in the afternoon to help alleviate. Yesterday, we attended mass at the International Christian Fellowship and walked around the Olympic Sailing Center, which was right outside of the hotel where mass was held. It made for a good Sunday.

Getting the IV

K and Ling with the IV

Heading to the OR

Halfway mark – 4th injection

kms — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:11:08 +0000

We made it to the halfway mark! The 4th injection was uneventful. K went through it without issue. The IV insertion was the big event, as Ling, K’s doll, also got an IV of her own. It made things so much easier.

3rd injection pics

kms — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:17:33 +0000

Getting ready for 3rd injection

3rd injection

Catching up… 3rd injection

kms — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:15:24 +0000

This has been a very busy week for all of us. Oz and the boys went home last Saturday. Tio Pepe left this Wednesday. So, it’s just Tia Caryl, Kaelyn and Mommy (me). Kaelyn’s week was packed with therapies, including another session of electric wave therapy that was added along with acupuncture during her massages. Her 3rd injection, which was on Wednesday, was not as easy as the others. The doctors were hoping to use local anesthesia and a small amount of valium to help calm her. Needless to say, she fought them the whole time and as a result, was sore and cranky for a couple of days after. Tia Caryl and I did everything possible to calm her. This weekend is going smoother and we are somewhat settling into our surroundings. We are gearing up for her next injection which will be done with general this time, similar to the 2nd one. Hopefully, she won’t give the docs such a hard time!

Mommy, Kaelyn and Tia

Electric wave therapy - arms