ChloeWatts.com

May 27th, 2009

This time last year was no fun for us at all.  So when Chloe started a cycle of coughing to the point of throwing up it put us all on edge.  Last Thursday I brought her to the doctors’ office to see about her sore throat and a suspicious spot at the back of her throat.  Strep was ruled out and her lungs sounded clear.  Her weight had dropped quite a bit, to 54 pounds.  This put her back down to 15% on the charts.  We went home with instructions to watch her and see what would happen.  Tylenol was recommended for any soreness. 

The next few days were pretty much non-stop coughing.  She had a string of five days where she didn’t keep food down.  So on Tuesday we were able to get another appointment with the doctor.  Dana and I spent two hours with Chloe at the office.  They did a chest x-ray, blood work to check all her levels, and a thorough examination.  She had dropped another pound during the week.   

We went home with an inhaler and plenty of instructions for helping her with the cough and sleep.  Dr. Tomkoria put in a call to the oncology department to talk about her nutrition and to get a second opinion on what might be going on.  In the meantime we were instructed to let Chloe decide what and when she’d eat.  Forcing her would have a negative effect, inducing vomiting.   

We did get word, again, that there appears to be no significant change in the tumor.  We also found out that the coughing isn’t controlled by that part of the brain.  The appetite is however.    

Up until this afternoon Chloe was not eating anything.  She had a few sips of her vitamin water and some mashed potatoes last night, but no breakfast this morning.  This has been the case for five days.  On the way to the East Side we stopped at Wendy’s for her favorite Double Cheese Bacon Burger and fries.  At home she ate the entire burger and half the fries.  At six she decided on Waffles for dinner.  She had one with strawberries and sugar, another half as if it were toast, and finished it off with another full waffle!  She also drank a glass of iced tea and her cough is all but gone! 

So, we continue to chase a ghost.  All the prayers you can muster up are more than welcome.  We don’t want to spend another summer like last.  Dana, Colin, Chloe and I were all sufficiently drained after that.  We are focused on turning this all around.  It was suggested we get a nutritionist involved, however, the insurance being carried on them only pays for one nutritionist visit.  That happened last year.  We will look to our support team for a professional nutritionist and see what shows up. 

For now Chloe is happy but weak.  She has had a good day today and we hope she will be going to school in the morning.  Dana has lost too much work this month due to a couple things beyond her control.  I’ve been available and willing to be with Chloe on any days she’s needed me.  She sure seems happy to have me around.  That’s a nice feeling.  And being there for her is a pretty easy chore after raising two beautiful daughters of my own and a bezillion doctor visits for other loved ones.   

Thanks to all of you for your continued following and prayer time dedicated to Chloe.  We believe in wellness and that’s how we want all of you to see Chloe.  She is. 

Blessings,

Ron