No News is Good News!

When we walked into the Reuten outpatient clinic on Friday for Sylvie's appointment to have a new NG tube inserted, she was a little superstar. Word traveled fast about Sylvie's great CT scan results. Dr. Halpern walked past us in the waiting area and he was really beaming and thrilled to see us. Shortly thereafter, Annette, an Advanced Practice Nurse, and Suzanne who is Sylvie's day-to-day nurse in the clinic, inserted the new tube which was it's usual horrific procedure. I promised Sylvie that after, she could take her pick of going to the Princess Store, the Toy Store, the Book Store or the Birthday Candle Store. Since it would only be noon when we left and Sylvie's blood counts were okay, we were "allowed" to go to a populated place as long as it was off hours. We took advantage of this and within 10 minutes after leaving Hackensack University Medical Center, Sylvie was perched on a pink horse on the carousel at the mall. She looked so happy and proud. I was too. I also dodged the strange looks from the other moms and grandparents who couldn't help but notice the yellow plastic tube coming out of Sylvie's right nostril, taped across her cheek and hanging down her back.

It was great being home for the weekend reunited as a family although It takes a lot energy, patience and creativity to keep Sylvie entertained considering she neither eats, naps or walks... Michael and I tag-teamed it because honestly, we needed to take naps ourselves! In addition, Sylvie constantly moans that she's hungry however she gags every time she tries to swallow. We've tried everything-- waffles, pancakes, eggs, toast, gummy bears, soup, yogurt, ice cream, cupcakes, you name it.

Unfortunately, Sylvie had to skip her friends' birthday parties this weekend, even her BFF Sammy, because they have the potential to create germ warfare in Sylvie's body. One of my friends apologetically confessed she was a little scared or concerned about having a play date and potentially exposing Sylvie to germs. Honestly, I was thrilled to hear her say it because the germ thing is a VERY big deal. On the other hand, it's so important for Sylvie to be around her peers, so we need to find a balance. I put together a bunch of photographs for Sylvie to have in the hospital and she constantly stares at the picture of her in school sitting in a circle with her classmates and teachers. She told Michael that she misses school, too.

My friends Cindy and Adam came this afternoon and Sylvie was in rare form. it was the happiest we've seen her in a LONG time. Sylvie showed them all her tricks and after lunch, we were all dancing to her favorite song by The Ting Tings. Michael was amazed by the 14 million views on YouTube of which I told him that Sylvie might personally account for one hundred of them. Sylvie was mesmerized by Adam's funky dance moves and even let Cindy dance with her to Laurie Berkner tunes.

We're home until Tuesday when Sylvie will be admitted into the hospital for the third round of chemo.