Stronger everyday!!

We continue to see great improvements with Cydney. The weekends show the most progress. Having a couple days off from radiation gives her a lot more energy and stamina to work on her body movements and control. She tends to lose a little strength and endurance throughout the week as radiation drains her.

Raising her head and being able to control putting it back down is a huge step. 

We are looking forward to these last 6 radiation treatments! Ready to get them complete and give her a break from the intense treatments. Our hope is for her to be able to engage in some aggressive therapies once she has more energy and for the progression to continue at a faster pace. 

She still has some nausea and gets sick occasionally. That is to be expected from the Chemo. We attempt to stay ahead of it with medications. Her feedings seem to be under control and working well for her. She ocassionally complains of pain on her neck and back from the radiation. Her skin is slightly red at times, much like a sunburn. It is not as red or there is not as much peeling as I expected to happen, I was told that could still come as she gets towards the end and for week or so after. Aquafor helps ease the pain and keeps her skin from being too irritated. 

This past week I took Nathan and Lily to the Beads of Courage studio in Tucson to make Cydney a Sun Catcher. Nathan picked out all the Beads based on what he thought Cyndey would like.  He took pride in making something for her, saying "She will think this is really pretty." He then told the studio owner that he was going to take this to his big sister in the hospital.  

Thank you all for the encouraging messages, cards, and phone calls. I share with Cydney all those messages to her and continually let her know there are many family and friends around the world thinking of her and praying for her recovery.