Are you ready to rumble!!!! (in my loudest echo voice ever)

Yes, it's dex week.....again!! So far we have had some pretty impressive fits, but more than anything we have had pain. And while Lucy is going through the physical pain, dad and I go though the emotional pain of watching her like this. I hope as they improve upon the protocol, they figure out a way to use less steroids. We always thought the pain she had during dex was associated with the chemo vincristine because it is known to cause neuropathy. And it sure has messed up her legs. But with Zach on steroids as well, he keeps saying how much his body hurts. So we decided on day 3 of steroids to start giving codeine every 6 hrs. It has really seemed to make a difference so far and we see a lot more of Mary! Ha!
So I have some fantastic news: I called Memphis to see how Lucy's spinal was since the last few have been shit. And it's clear!!! For the first time in a long time!! Woo hoo. Usually she has something suspicious that they have to test and while it's never been cancerous, it's still a long 3 days waiting to see if it is! And this time it's all clear from the beginning! What a huge sigh of relief. More exciting news: we got our next to last roadmap for treatment!! Basically the roadmap lays out our treatment week by week. Her next dose of dex at the end of July IRS to 4mg per day instead of 6, small step, but we will take it. We don't go back to Memphis until October! And then her very last spinal is in march as is her last dose of dex and vincristine!! Woo hoo!! Then we ride out the last 20 weeks of treatment with IV methotrexate weekly and 6MP every night. I cannot believe how far we have come. And you can never plan with cancer, with the exception of road maps!! That's why I love when we get new ones.
So this week has been a good week. And I'll take it. We need them every now and again to remind us how lucky we are. Lucy may have cancer, daddy may be on steroids, Taco may be on steroids and sick, but they are all here to hug and love an rumble with if need be. And for that, I'm thankful.