🗓️ Week of September 15: A rough start but a lovely end to it

Mood: Still taking things one day at a time. It was an exhausting Monday but things progressively got better. I got my first Family Caregiver employment insurance payment, and after learning that her health card had been cancelled WHILE she was admitted upstairs, I spent almost an hour with a very kind Service Ontario employee who helped us with Chloë's Medical Exemption form. This was due to the fact that, now she is 16, in Ontario she would get her photo added to her card. However understandably spending an hour in a crowded waiting room. Glad thats finally one less stressor. Now we have a two week 'chemo break'

Medical Update: The week started with Week 1 of Cycle 2 of chemo. Chloë was admitted up on the floor in CHEO after spending the day at the MDU. These chemo drugs are particularly strong and make her very ill. However, the staff and volunteers always try to lift not just her spirits, but those of every family. Chloë got to put her creative interests to work, starting to work on a painting, getting volunteer hours and this will eventually be given to a CHEO donor as a thank you gift

Emotional Check-In: We are still processing the news that an amputation is "100% the best chance" for Chloë. We saw " Dr.Bones" (we learned on our first day that was his nickname and we are keeping his acutal name for his privacy who confirmed Chloë

Education Update: Chloë was able to get a bit of schoolwork done in the MDU, and then up on the floor. It was harder to get work done due to the chemo, but she has been trying to log in daily whenever possible. Right now she is taking English and Early Childhood Education classes online.

Moments of Light: We attended our first in person Campfire Circle event at Wesley Clover Parks Campground. It was their Fall Family Picnic and we got to meet other families and volunteers. It was nice for us all to get outside as a family and enjoy the beautiful fall colours

Reflections: We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of the charities like Fight Like Mason that sent Chloë a Boost Box -which indeed boosted her spirits, as well as Cozy Cases and todays new Campfire Circle friends. This whole process is a rainbow of emotions but knowing there are others out there like our family, like Chloë, is a bittersweet level of comfort.

💛 Much love,
Chloë’s Mom