WEEK 2 of 7

Well, we are almost done with Hutton’s second week of radiation treatments, and this is also week 2 of 7 that we will be living in a hotel by UCLA.  

We were fortunate that Jeremy was able to be off work for the first week, to be with us, help us get used to this new routine, and figure out the “lay of the land”. But now he has returned to work and it is just me and Hutton getting quality mother/daughter time. 

Overall, Hutton is doing great with the radiation treatments themselves.  She is able to sit very still through the treatment and stay calm while on the table. Unfortunately, she is definitely experiencing the side effects of the treatments. She is very tired, she has headaches, and her blood and platelet counts are VERY VERY low. But…one of the benefits of us staying in the hotel near UCLA, is that Hutton can get labs multiple times a week along with the needed transfusions, as to help keep her counts up, and hopefully not delay her scheduled chemo treatments. This week, her numbers were the lowest they have ever been (probably due to all of last week’s radiation treatments) and on Monday she got a blood and a platelets transfusion before her radiation treatment. She got more blood and platelets today (Wednesday) before radiation. So, we are hoping that will help with the headaches and keep her counts high enough to stay on her treatment schedule.  

All things considered, Hutton is doing wonderful and remains in good spirits. She is adjusting to living in a hotel and to daily hospital visits. She has had some rough moments, but has remained, overall, positive; and that light that shines from within her, though it may dim at times, it has never gone out, and always comes back shining brighter then ever. No idea how she can do that. She has set a daily example of strength and perseverance since she started this battle and continues to make us proud every day.