Cora was so brave about the whole thing. After many trauma-inducing, painful failed attempts to get an IV started that very first evening of admission following her diagnosis, Cora quickly learned to view her port as a faithful friend that spared her excess pain during every blood draw, anesthesia, chemo, or other med infusion. She was initially not very excited to learn that it was time to have her port removed, especially since she will still be having frequent blood draws for years to come. But in true Cora fashion, she quickly accepted this next step and found a way to look forward to it. Shortly before her surgery, she declined the “goofy juice” from the anesthesiologist that is normally given to help kids relax and not care about the separation from parents and all the unusual experiences of entering the OR and being put to sleep. Cora said she was excited about the moment and wanted to remember everything. And she did!

Cora’s still really sore from the procedure, so today is a good rest day to spend all day in the car heading to the mountains for her last dose of chemo celebration. She currently has only one more dose of methotrexate to take tomorrow evening and 3 more daily doses of 6MP, with her last chemo pill to swallow on Saturday morning! Bell ringing in 3, 2, 1…