Olivia had her first ever spinal tap in the clinic…not the surgery center. This was HUGE! It meant being awake during the procedure. Recently Olivia has been asking how they "do" a spinal tap in the clinic. I asked NP Diane to describe the process to us both. The nurses and I all shared a worried look when Olivia said she wanted to try it. NP Diane told her we could wait until next time if she wanted to be more mentally prepared but, Olivia was confident it was what she wanted to do. Olivia has become strong and vocal when it comes to her treatment.

Olivia had just turned six when she was diagnosed…she cried with every stick and poke….and there were many. We decided early on to have her spinals done in surgery hoping to spare her some discomfort or trauma. Contrast that with now…in the transfusion/infusion room they could not get her port to draw blood…the nurse told Olivia she needed to do a finger stick to get her counts. Olivia was watching a cartoon and held her hand out as casually as if she were receiving a manicure…she said a little distracted "ouch"…and continued watching her cartoon while they "milked" her finger! She’s come a long way baby! She used to flinch with every drop that was squeezed out of her finger and called the nurses vampires!

Anyway, the tap went beautifully. Diane told Olivia if at anytime she changed her mind…she would stop and we could go to surgery as originally planned. Olivia chose between the two procedure rooms: the "Aquarium Room" (painted with sea life) and the "Fairy Room" (painted with castles, dragons and fairies). She sat crossed legged on a table in the fairy room…hugged and leaned over a folded pillow in order to curve her spine…and held my hand. They injected medicine into her line that relaxed and made her drowsy. Soft music played in the background as Diane talked her through the entire procedure: "Okay, you’re going to feel cold...I’m washing your back…you may feel a little pinch here…etc." This was the second spinal tap I’ve observed. They insert a very small hollow IV type needle in between the lower vertebrates and collect drips of spinal fluid. FYI: spinal fluid looks like water...if there is cancer in the central nervous system the spinal fluid would be cloudy…always a relief to see it clear. After removing fluid for testing…they insert an equal amount of chemo…and done. In the midst of the procedure Olivia said in a sleepy voice, "Mom, I want to do it in here from now on." She liked having me there and not being knocked out. The actual procedure was over within 15 minutes. After resting for 30 minutes while they monitored her blood pressure…she had a drink, a snack and we were out the door. Once home she threw up…as usual. She’s been throwing up more often…I spoke with her doctor about it and he said that is something some kids on oral chemo struggle with…hooray.

On a cheery note: Olivia turns 8 on July 7^th…and is asking for a Chihuahua and a cello!!! If anyone has a good Chihuahua contact…email me.