Loose Strife

Some mixed news. Laura has not thrown up most days this week. Coincident with this is that her habitual cough, related to the fluid around her lungs, is now rare. Cough and up chuck were always linked in the morning, so their mutual absence is definitely a positive sign that something might be improving and either the chemo or the estrogen suppression might be working. And Laura’s appetite is a little better — she’s added a few more simple comfort foods.
But Laura’s back pain is worse and different. So that’s not so good. She had increased her pain meds earlier this week, but still is uncomfortable. Yesterday the oncologist encouraged her to increase it further. Laura’s worried about the side effects of the narcotics, but the truth is that the side effects of pain are worse.
On Friday Lily came down with a cold, including a fever, which made us a little nervous, but the doctor told us not to worry. Still, Laura had planned to have a chat with the kids to introduce the word “cancer,” tell them that her hair was going to fall out, and to reinforce some basic points that worry kids like “it’s not your fault” and “cancer isn’t contagious.” So how in the same breath do you tell your child to stay away from Mommy because you might make her more sick?
Well, you don’t. And Lily was fine today. And Laura shared her new head scarves and wig with the kids to much delight. Lily exclaimed at dinner, “Daddy, I got to wear Mommy’s wig! For when she’s bald!”
These are, after all, two girls who enjoy perhaps nothing better than dress up, so wearing these “silly hats” was sheer delight.