Back in 2002 Primary Children's felt like a second home. After Shina was diagnosed with cancer we had to make daily trips to get her chemotherapy treatments. We got to know the nurses, doctors, and techs by name. After her chemo we went up every 3 months at first for cat scans and bone scans. Then after she went a couple years without any signs of the cancer returning they pushed us to every 6 months. We have been doing scans every 6 months since then. When we went to Oregon we had her scans done at a hospital there. We missed the familiarity of Primary's and are so glad to be back here to where we feel most at home.
Last week we took Shina up there for her 6 month scans. She has to be fasting and then they give her a large amount of contrast to drink over an hour. Then they start an IV and push another contrast into the IV while they are doing the scan. Shina always hates the IV and stresses about it for weeks before we go up there. She did so good though and said it didn't hurt at all.
We haven't been up there in 3 years and we were so surprised at how different things were, but even more surprised at how many things were exactly the same. There were so many familiars faces!
Back in 2004, Shina got the chance to paint a ceiling tile that was put in the ceiling of the cat scan room. It was such a fun thing for her to do. It was really fun to see that it is still there. If you are ever there look for her tile (hopefully you aren't).
It was really kinda stressful being there in the oncology clinic. While we were sitting in the waiting room waiting to go back there were two little bald girls about the same age Shina was when she was diagnosed. They were both waiting with their parents to go back into a room. You could see the worry and fatigue in the parent's faces and it brought back so many memories and feelings of when we were in there shoes. I pray they are as lucky as we are.
We were able to leave the hospital with great news. Not only were Shina's scans completely clear but they Doctor told us that we could start coming once a years instead of every 6 months. Yeah!!!!
5 comments:
Hooray for once a year scans! Congratulations!
I am so happy for Shina, what a brave girl she is. I can't believe that whole ordeal you had to go through Merrie, you guys are amazing seriously! Woo Hoo for Shina.
What a strong family!! It is amazing that you hold it togehter so well. I would be a major basket case (no suprise). I was a mess when my Eli went to Primary Childerns for surgery at 6 weeks, and here you deal with the on going hope the cancer is gone. So happy for Shina and you, sigh, once a year. YEAH!!
We know that we are being blessed as a family each time that we get a postive report. Shina is a brave little girl and we are grateful for her great smile and that sparkle in her eyes that always touches our hearts. Shina we love you and your art work on the ceiling tile. Shina's art work is truly amazing when we think about how young she was when she was diagnosed with cancer. I remember going with Shina and her parents to the hospital and how brave they were. Grandma was not as brave and it was hard for me to see a grandchild and her parent's go through such an experience. We as a family put our trust in the Lord and he continues to answer our prayers. We are so grateful.
That is such great news for you guys. What a blessing PCH is. When we were there with Finley I thought it was great that they let the children paint the tiles. Now I know one of the artist.
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