5 tattoos for Radiation

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Hello to everyone,



We came back from the hospital at about 2pm today with 5 new tattoos on Charmaine's body.



I was actually taken aback when I heard from the Radiation Oncologist yesterday about getting 5 permanent tattoos during the simulation session (which took place today). She explained that the tattoos are required for the technologist to line up the radiation beams for the upcoming 14 sessions of radiation that Charmaine has to go through.



We survived Day 1 yesterday without the kiddos' favourite Charlene jie jie.

Everyone woke up past 7am and managed to reach the hospital on time for our 10am appointment. Jase and Char were exceptionally sweet and I stocked our bag with food, knowing that they would be screaming out in hunger upon reaching MSKCC. Sure enough, just as we walked through the entrance and Charmaine already started screaming. Fed them their sausage and crabstick and everyone is happy! Brought the babies to the playground, to reward them after the consultation. Lunch and we were done for the day. That was the brief summary for yesterday.



Today is another early day at the hospital. She was scheduled for a checkup with the NB team at 0930hrs and for Radiation simulation at 1130hrs. I was a little worried about today because Charmaine has to be sedated for the simulation and hence she is not allowed to eat since midnight and she is really one feisty lion cub when she gets hungry. Sure enough, she was very upset this morning about being restricted with no food and drink. It is always not easy to calm her especially when she is hungry and hence I get rather stressed up every time she has to get a sedation and fast. [A rather amusing thing though about the hunger is that it pushes Charmaine to be even more co-operative than ever! I told her that we have 3 procedures to be done today and than we will go for lunch! So you can pretty much imagine her reaction when she gets a little fearful and I would mention "Quick, food after we are done!" and she would oblige swiftly whatever she is asked to do almost instantenously! I couldnt contain my smile seeing how adorable her reaction is.]



The thing about seeking treatment in MSKCC is that I always have to try to pre-empt what they need to do for the day. [I decided to put emla on Charmaine's port-a-cath today before going to MSKCC. Thank goodness I did! They said they needed to do blood tests and hence had to access the port! Not sure if its just me or rather MSKCC simply doesnt have a habit of informing or rather keeping within certain daily habits. Things are always so non-standardised and non routine] Another NB mommy in Singapore referred to it as having to start all over again. Strangely, while its indeed true that I am starting all over again in a new hospital, I have never really felt 'seasoned' anywhere. Not even in NUH or KKH. I assume I never will. Because life with a sickness thats here to stay is never a 'play that follows the script'. No doctors can tell me what the future holds for my little princess. And its so strangely true that the doctor here cant even tell me clearly how long the treatment will take.



The only thing we know for sure now is that Charmaine will be getting her first 3F8 infusion this coming Monday, 17th August. I am willing yet dreading for the day to come. I am going to face this day alone. Well, not entirely alone. I have Jase with me. As it is the first infusion, no one knows how she will react to it. But we all know that Monday will definitely be a long day for my babies and myself. As Charlene had mentioned earlier, I spoke to a couple of parents who offered words of advice: "Dont look at her straight in the eyes when it starts". "Its one of those few things that tear you apart totally but its worth it!" "Just focus on the road ahead". I am filling my head with almost all the most horrific thoughts , hoping that they will mentally prepare myself but I know I am most probably gonna be a nervous wreck on Monday. I have no idea how I am going to manage between taking care of Charmaine and watching over Jase but Monday will be here in a blink and given no options at all, I know I can only prepare as best as I can. [I dont know since when it started, but I must say that sometimes, no options is not a bad thing after all. When one has no options ahead of oneself, one can only walk through the only path ahead, willing or not, fearful or not. At least for me, this is pretty much my life in the last 6 months. No options and hence only just action to move forth.]



The next 3 weeks of our lives will probably be the toughest ever. And it looks like I am going to have to manage those 3 weeks on my own with my little ones.



A little technical bit for friends who wanna have a better idea of the treatment in the next 3 weeks.

17 Aug to 21 Aug - 3F8 infusion daily

24 Aug to 28 Aug - Twice daily Radiation

31 Aug to 1 Sep - Twice daily Radiation



Pain will be the most worrying for 3F8 treatment.

Hunger will be the most stressful for the 14 sessions of Radiation. [Because Charmaine has to be sedated for the Radiation and its twice daily, it means that she would not be able to eat everyday until almost evening for those 7 days. Even the Radiologist said that hunger will be tougher than the radiation itself. And its even tougher because I need to somehow feed Jase and yet not feed Charmaine. Frankly, I have NO IDEA how I am going to do it but I will sit on it for now because I have to face 3F8 first.



For now, I just have a little request, if its not too much to ask for.

Please continue to pray for our feisty princess Charmaine, especially so on Monday.

I will need all the luck and all the godly power available to survive Monday.



With this, I like to wish you and everyone in your family good health and happiness.

No matter what battle we all have to fight on Monday, we shall have a good time with our love ones before the fight begins...



Have a good weekend.



Love,

Cyn mommy





19 comments:

LAISHUXIN said...

JIAYOU!
YOU CAN DO IT!
Tell yourself, YOU CAN DO IT!! :)

We are all behind you and supporting you and the kids.
It's just few weeks and Charmaine will be a happy and healthy kid.
So, do it and let Charmaine be happy for the rest of her life :D

Always looking for the BRIGHT side of LIFE said...

u can do it, will pray for u always.......

Sleepy Cat said...

i'm sure things will turn out just fine. don't worry to much about it =P

Chris said...

Cynthia, I undertstand the fear that is going through you. Just keep thinking Charmaine will get better after all these treatment.
We will be praying for Charmaine, Jase and yourself. Be strong Cyn
God will surly answer all our prayer.

yaya said...

Cyn mommy & little Charmaine,

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do"

Will keep you in my praying always!

Gambatte!!!

wglcar said...

Help us in building the house Environmentally correct.
Hello,
My name and Wellington Silva, I am Brazilian and I live in the city of Aracaju in Brazil.
At first I apologize for not writing the English well, actually I'm using the google translator, and with great respect and humility I ask for help from you to build my house in model ecologically correct.
Not have own house, to live rent in Aracaju and we have a unique and land that was purchased in the 80s with great sacrifice.
Our land is the city of Pirambu-SERGIPE within a 73km Sergipe-Brazil. the city where I live now.
Want to build a house, preferably in the ecological model to serve as an example and show that the human right to live and not have to sacrifice the environment.
If I can build a house Environmentally pretty interesting because this way I will convince people that way you can build environmentally sound homes and beautiful without the need to harm the nature.
I confess that I have no money for this building, so that pekoe aid (grants) of people willing to help in this project.
If you can help us in building this house, be very grateful for your help, and without doubt, cents per cents will be very well applied in the project (CASA ECOLOGY IN THE CITY OF Pirambu-SERGIPE-BRAZIL)
If you are able to help, be very welcome their help, but do not want poor people in my situation if they sacrifice to help.
Peco help only from people that can help them with that knife lack of the money donated.
To help those who want to know if the construction details, the commitment to send photos and report the progress of the construction details.
Below data inform the bank account for donations.
Banco do Brasil
Agencia 0017-5
Current account 16880-7
Our family appreciates your cooperation in building the house Ecologically correct in the small town of Pirambu - Sergipe-Brazil.
Sincerely,
wglcar-Wellington Silva

love_is_all_around said...

This is the ONLY road to FULL recovery for little Charmaine!!! Carry on!!! Walking it together with Jase kor kor and Feisty Charmaine in NY. Whereas we are all here, walking the road with you in Singapore!!! :)

Cyn mama, whatever heart aching feeling you (might/are going to) have when you see her in pain or hunger, don't feel bad and blame yourself.

Be GLAD and HAPPY, Little Charmaine is on the way to her FULL recovery!

In the every location of the world who knows about little Charmaine are all praying for her recovery. All GOD, BUDDHA, are all watching over her. Protecting her!

JIA YOU!!!

Aaron said...

It can only imagine how tough it must be on you having to face this alone with your little ones. Having said that, things were just as daunting when you first heard about the price tag of 500K and was just as lost about what to do. Turn around and look at the footprints tracing your journey since then to NY and you will see that this is just another test which you have the resources and will power to pass with flying colours.
You have the fiesty princess who is all smiley despite having the monster tormenting her daily. You have a thoughtful Jase by your side to cheer both of you up and you know as well as I do that there are thousands in Singapore and worldwide who are saying prayers and rooting for you and the kids. Many people would not be able to achieve what you have already done as it's no mean feat.

Tougher days are ahead and it's no illusion that the road ahead will be wrought with many more trials before you see the light at the end of the tunnel. That's just the way things are and it's like how the sky is the darkest just before dawn.
Whenever you are filled with doubt or feel helpless, close your eyes and let your mind travel to the future when Char has triumphed and vanquished the monster and your family is happily enjoying a normal life. Hear the laughter, engulf yourself with the feelings that you will experience in that situation. And that will enable you to remember and refocus on that goal which you have been striving for.
You never travel in a straight line towards a goal, deviation from the original route is a certainty. BUT, if you stay focused on the goal, you will for certain complete the journey and reach that goal. Rest assured we are with you on this journey as many people have been inspired in one way or another. I know I have.

AbSoLuT.juniors said...

U are not alone... everyone here in Singapore is with u mentally!!

Elena said...

Praying for you all <3 may the Lord give you peace in your hearts~

Jesseca said...

Ganbatte!!!!

our love story said...

All the best cynthia

01 said...

hi cynthia,
hang in there alright? (: jia you!

you can do it!

Richelle Marie Hogan said...

Hi Cynthia,

We mothers stand by you as not many can go through what you are going through personally. I admire you from afar as I personally do not know if I can make it through what you have bravely with-stand. You are a natural fighter and I salute you from the bottom of my heart. Charmaine needs you and she is a fighter herself. Be brave as we all are praying for you on our own little ways and Char will certainly fight the monster and overcome this battle.

You are an inspiration and all of you including little Jase are in our prayers daily.

Take care and go for it ...

Love
Rich

yuene said...

Cynthia:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Charmaine and Jase. It will be a trying time, but there is a rainbow at the end of it.

Mama Joan said...

Princess: Today is the day that you are getting your 3F8. It marks the start of a more painful treatment BUT also a step nearer to full recovery! Please bear with all pains because each and every pain that you suffered means you are one step closer to slamming the monster upside down! So JIA YOU princess!!

Cyn: Face today and the rest of the treatment days ahead with faith, faith that Charmaine can and will make it. The victory is just ahead

mrschen said...

Hi Cynthia, I have been faithfully and quietly following your blog and your family is always on my mind. As a mummy myself, I can identify with your feelings.
After I read this post I could not help but want to share with you something about food for the kids.
Wholemeal bread is good for them as children do not feel hungry so quickly.
Eggs, cheese, peanut butter, bananas and apples are good nutritional food. I am sure the kids and you will enjoy them. Do refrain from processed food.
I hope I am not making things inconvenient for you. Do take care of yourself too. Drink plenty of water and sleep whenever you can.
Children are more resilient than you can imagine. Have faith.

susanteh said...

God bless you all. My prayers are with you!!! Take care.

Anonymous said...

Praying for your family. Continue to have hope and be brave! Take care and God bless.

love Dotz

 
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