Going home...

On Sunday July 10th, we decided it was time to head home. Her fiance Ian had arrived and was planning to stay with her for the next week so it enabled us to go home and catch up on life. My wife's business was falling behind and my head is swimming with all the stuff we have planned for the district in the next couple months. We knew it was going to be difficult but with Mayleigh feeling better and things starting to seem somewhat normal for her again we figured it was the best time to do it.

Our dogs were so happy to see us they licked us to death for nearly 5 minutes straight. It had been nearly 2 weeks since we were able to sleep in our own bed but all we could think about was our baby girl....how did we get here.
Our worst fears were upon us and we were leaving her behind. Not knowing what to expect from the chemo and worst of all being alone and not able to go anywhere. We are trying to not be overbearing, hovering parents but just like any parent; your child will always be your baby no matter how old they are.

Today was the first full day she has not been with us and it was very trying but mostly exhausting. We are both so tired that we are walking and talking but almost incoherent. I found it hard to concentrate and was constantly thinking about how she was feeling.

Two things positive happened today that we can be thankful for. The eye doctors came back to check her eyes and found that her pressures had returned to normal and that she was not going to require eye drops.
Initially doctors came in and told us her pressures were 30 in one eye and 40 in the other believing that she must have some kind of swelling or the cancer was already into the brain. They had left the room and this whole time my wife was out of the room. When she returned I told her the news and she was immediately in tears as she knew what that meant. When they returned she asked them to do it again and that Mayleigh could of just been scared they were going to do something to her eye. Camille worked as an ophthalmic assistant for over 10 years in clinic and performed this almost daily on kids and if someone is tense or scared the reading can be way off. In this case it seemed to be true. Her readings went down to 24 and 29 after the 2nd attempt.. PHfewww...Thank God for momma!!! :D

The second positive is that the Gyno paid her a visit to talk about possible infertility and egg storage as well as the possibility of a tumor residing on her ovaries. Upon examination he was unable to find anything and wasn't able to determine if one existed. This was very ironic as this is the main reason our PC doctor referred her to the CT that eventually showed us lymphoma. Had he not felt what he felt, we may have spun our wheels for longer. For whatever reasons though there didn't seem to be anything of significance and for that we are thankful!

July 11th after 6 days at OHSU

Regardless of all the reasons one could find misery in this process, it was a great day because my daughter is looking and feeling better than she has in months! The prednisone continues to do it's wonders and her swelling has dropped almost completely. The only downer is she is still stuck on the 14th floor of a cancer ward and is unable to leave. She finally feels better and can't even walk out the door.

She realizes the long road ahead though and her positive attitude continues. We will give updates and hopefully they will be nothing but positive as we move the only direction we can and that is forward!

Thank you to everyone who is supporting our family. It brings us to tears thinking about how many people have shown our daughter love and guidance. It has really opened all our eyes to what truly matters in life and that is each other. We are blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives and I will never be able to repay you for all that you have done for us!

Sincerly, Larry, Camille & Mayleigh Workman