Well, we have a plan.  We will do Rituxan/Rituximab starting July 20 and Temodar/Irenotican on July 21-25th.  Then, sometime in Aug,  we will have scans at Sloan.  On Aug. 3 and 4, she will have the follow up dose of Rituxan and a day of low dose cyclophosamide/cytoxin. 

Ideally, we would have liked to start the process on Monday, July 6th, but we had planned a vacation at Myrtle Beach with my family on July 12-18th -- So, we asked Dr. Kushner and Ann Haddix, Kate's Riley NP whether we would be better off doing our chemo first and risking low platelets or fevers in Myrtle Beach to get started as quickly as possible or waiting until we got back.  The answer was a resounding "Wait until you get back!" 

In a twist of irony, a few months ago, we picked this week to be on vacation because it looked like the week that would have the least impact to her treatment schedule. We were guessing though. And, as it turns out, we were way off!!! 

But, it is what it is.  I asked Pat the other day, "How many times in the past three and a half years have we said that?"  Every time they come and tell us "It is still there." and "She's stable, but not clear", "Mr and Mrs. Madigan, we have a bit of disappointing news..." , "Mr. and Mrs. Madigan, I am so sorry to tell you that..." ,  We cry, grieve for our changed plans, adjust, announce, "Well, it is what it is." Sometimes shortly followed by, "And there's nothing we can do about it. It just is what it is." and we go on.  Thankful for each day, and trying not to get our hopes up too high. 

But, we have a lot to be thankful for.  We have a plan.  Not our favorite plan. That nice  crop of fuzzy hair will go.  She won't be happy when that happens.  It is not our favorite plan - but, from a realistic medical perspective, I can't really think of anything specific that would make for a better plan. 

From an unrealistic medical perspective, I would like them to wave a magic wand over her, cure her, and give us a written guarantee that it has worked. We'd like them to simultaneously  implement that plan for each an every one of these precious kiddos.   But, we don't have that. We have Temodar/Irenotican and Rituxan.  And...  It is what it is. 

Not to end on a fatalist note - we do believe that God has a plan for her.  We don't know the full details. We hope it includes complete healing here on earth. If not, he will still be in control. 

Trish 


btw - Marsh Supermarkets is showing a commercial this month for the Tony Stewart Foundation and the Indiana Children's Wish Fund that has Kate and Caleb Lammert in it.  Colleen Herrick said it was on ch. 13 during the news last night.  I am really hoping to get it on a DVD  - need to work on how to do that. It is also on www.marsh.net  If you increase the zoom level of your browser -( lower right hand corner for Internet Explorer) to 400x, it is easier to see!!!  On the Tony Stewart Foundation website - they show a different clip that they made during filming - with Kate and Caleb - http://tonystewartfoundation.org/TSF_Website_Video.html

I didn't mention it earlier - it was filmed a few months ago- because Kate was not exactly a model of her best behavior - she got scared and clingy and weepy - so I didn't know if they would decide to cut her out of it or not.  At the end of the filming, she loosened up. She was really nervous though. If you get the chance,  let her know if you see her on TV!!