We are now 3 months into maintenance, and it is going well! Madelyn’s hair is growing, and she is FULL of energy. Besides the first week of maintenance we haven’t had many side effects. We have also gotten the chance to do our monthly port flush and number count at the cancer center here in TC which is very nice! The only set back we’ve had was a summer cold that ran through the family. With her fever protocol (anything over 101) unfortunately, she had to make a trip to the ER. She was extremely upset by this to say the least and was all but cooperative. Eek we’ve been lucky with limited ER trips so let’s keep our fingers cross she keeps that up.

The summer was full of local adventures and family time. We went camping twice which we all loved. Madelyn and a neighbor, Elise, put on a gymnastics performance for a few neighbors! It was quite the show! It involved tickets, music and a choregraphed routine! The girls rocked it and also had a blast. Madelyn continues to show interest in gymnastics and is begging to get back into classes. She practices almost every day and has gained so much strength this summer! Recently she has mastered a pullover on the bar and a back bend kickover. She does handstands and cartwheels everywhere she goes, including during her soccer games. This is also amazing considering she doesn’t have any knee reflexes at the moment. Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy is one of those many lovely possible side effects. Luckily as of now it has not affected her strength or sensation. We’ve rolled a few ankles but that’s it. Hopefully when we are done with chemo it will get better.

As summer came to an end, we were advised by her Oncology team about the upcoming school year. They suggested both the kids stay home from school and do virtual learning for 8-10 weeks. Then we will evaluate how the school is doing with CoVid and flu cases and decided it it’s safe to go back or if we need to stay home longer. Madelyn is doing a “live” reading and math class with Mrs. Simons which is on and off the computer from 8:30-11. Then we are doing an on-demand classes for science, social studies, art, music and PE. Mom and Parker are working on letters, numbers, and phonics. All while trying to keep it fun! Easier said than done and it’s a lot of work! =)

We also surprised the kids with a PUPPY in September! The kids were SO excited!! The timing seemed like it was going to work out great. We would get him a week before both kids went back to school.  I could potty train him with no distractions and get unlimited solo Arnie snuggles. Sounded great! Then.. Mozzie tore his ACL and needed surgery a week before we got Arnie and DeVos told us we are doing virtual learning. HA! It was a bit nutzo over here for a while! We did make a seriously cute little classroom in the basement. However, I caved and said forget it and were currently using the kitchen table. Carrying Mozzie up/down the stairs and cleaning up Arnies accidents on the carpet downstairs was adding unnecessary stress. I think we have finally found our groove and mom has given up on trying to keep the kitchen clean. I’ve heard complaints that the teacher is a little strict, but they sure do love her when they fill their marble jar. =)

Madelyn has started her second round of Maintenance. She is on a 3-month continual rotation for then next year and 4 months. Maintenance was the first time in a long time that she had a long break form IV chemo and steroids. It was great! She does take pill chemos every day but the IV chemo with steroids changes her personality. We had forgotten how much she changes until we went thought it again. She is hungrier than a bear which is a pain but fine. But she gets moody, irritable, sassy, feisty and turns into a serious know it all. She doesn’t want to play with Parker as much during that time which confuses him and causes fights. Then I’d say after 2 weeks it fades away and she’s back to her normal self.

Madelyn and Parker are also both playing fall soccer. Her IV chemo week you could tell she was tired and slow however she never complained. The next week she was keeping up with girls and having a blast. It’s hard to believe we are coming up on her one-year cancerversary. With CoVid Halloween will be a bit different this year but we are determined to make it a fun and happy day!

Oh and the tooth fairy has made several visits!! Very exciting stuff. Madelyn pulled both her front teeth in the last few months!