February 24

Hi all
Finally on again! I have been trying all week and actually had this blog written twice and the connection crashed just as I was ready to post it. One more try!
Caitlyn had a good week again. Only 8 radiation treatments left!!!! Far cry from the 33 that she started with. We have 2 more weeks left in the big T (as Caitlyn calls it). She is finding herself more tired as the weeks go on, but it really hasn't crushed her spirit. She is having a little trouble with her right hand and leg/foot that started last weekend. The doctors are wondering if it is due to the decrease in her Decadron (the steroid used to decrease the swelling in her brain) that they had done about 2 weeks ago. So this past Monday they increased it back up and the symptoms seems a little less. There is a possiblity also that it is caused by the radiation and will resolve after it is over. Anyway they have hooked her up with occupational and physiotherapy.
This past Wednesday night Caitlyn and I went to a Mississauga Aeros and Brampton Thunder game at the Powerade Center. Sami Jo Small, the goalie for the Aeros had invited her and arranged for her to meet 3 more of the Aeros and 3 of the Thunder players that are members of the National Women's Hockey team. What a great time! They gave her a stick, a couple of hats, and some autographed photos!!!
Then on Thursday, Emily, Alanna, and Tessa came down to Toronto with their mothers to celebrate Caitlyn's 14th birthday. We went shopping on Thursday and Friday looking for grad dresses. They were successful and had a good time.
Well hopefully this blog will go through and I will update again as soon as possible.
Rona

February 17th

Hello all
Sorry for the delay in entering on the blog. Our wireless internet connection at the Ronald McDonald house has not allowed me to get on to post a new entry.
The week went well. 20 radiation treatments down and 13 to go!!! She remains tired but her blood count remains good, so that is a plus.
Ronald McDonald house is great. Alot more room to roam in, and there is activities to do daily. Having a kitchen to cook in is wonderful too. There is even a school within the Ronald McDonald house that Caitlyn is likely going to attend while down there.
So we are home for the weekend to spend some time with Dad, Dylan and Bryanna. Sometimes the week seems long for both ends of the family.
This weeks excitement on the hockey scene was having an entry on the blog from Sami Jo Small and a phone call from Hayley Wickenheiser. Caitlyn also received several momentos from Hockey Canada and the Ontario Womens Hockey Association. All these have put a smile on her face.
Well, we will attempt to post again mid week providing the internet connection allows us.
Thanks for all the entries and emails received they all bring a smile to her face.

The Cobeans

February 11

Hello all
We made it home for the weekend. The sun came out on Friday and it was a beautiful drive home. Wow is there a lot of snow here!
Caitlyn has had a good weekend. She went to the public school on Friday and shaved her hair all off in front of her friends. But not before two good friends did the same, hats off (or hair off) to Rebecca McLean and Wendy Huys who shaved off with her. What a great support! Wendy has raised close to $1500 for Cops for Cancer. Why to go!!!
Saturday, Caitlyn went to her hockey game and sat on the bench with them. Good game girls. Then it was off to the show with some of her friends.
Today she had a big nap to make up for yesterday.
She has been feeling about the same, tired but otherwise, well. Caitlyn had a surprise phone call on Friday from Cassie Campbell, the captain of the Team Canada, womens hockey team that represented Canada at the Olympics in 2006 and 2002. What a thrill to talk to her!!!!!!
We are moving into the Ronald McDonald house tomorrow. Caitlyn is thrilled!! There will be activities to do now and people to meet.
Best go and get ready to leave tomorrow. Thanks for all the inspirational emails and comments on the blog. They are a boost!

Rona and Caitlyn

February 8

Hello again
WOW, what a response from the article in the Toronto Star. Thank you to Lois from the Toronto Star for such a nice article. It certainly put a smile on Caitlyn's face, as well as all the comments on the blog of inspiration and well wishes.
Caitlyn is doing very well. She is feeling good, other than tired which seems to be even getting a bit better. Basically we have been just attending her radiation appointments this week. Today, though, she has an appointment with her oncologist at Sick Kids after her radiation. This is a weekly visit when they check her blood counts. Her cousin Janet and her little boy Quinton is coming for a visit this afternoon which Caitlyn is looking forward to.
The shave off at the high school has been postponed until next Friday the 16th, due to the fact that our schools at home have been closed or no buses all week due to the snowstorms at home. By the way, the sun is shining here in Toronto. We have almost forgot what snow looks like!!! Caitlyn is planning on shaving her head tomorrow at her class, though, weather permitting. Caitlyn's hair will not wait until next week as it is falling out continually.
She is excited yet slightly nervous about shaving her head tomorrow. The wig is ready as is the winter hat!
Well, thank you to all who have sent comments to Caitlyn and our family through the blog, it is certainly nice to read them all.

Rona and Caitlyn

February 5

Hello everyone
Here we are starting week 3, day 11 of 33, she is 1/3 of the way there. We are still at the Day's Hotel. We have been trying since Jan 16th to get into the Ronald McDonald house. The Day's hotel is starting to feel like home. Isn't that terrible!!!
Caitlyn is feeling good. Still a little tired, but nothing a hour and a half or two hour nap a day won't fix. She is starting to loose her hair and hoping to still have some for Friday's shave off at the high school. She had an appointment today with her neurosurgeon, as her 4 week check up. He was happy with everything and will see her again in 8 weeks as another follow up.
Caitlyn had a great weekend. Thankfully we went to Sarnia for Bryanna's hockey tournament because I am afraid if we had of went home we would still be stuck there with the big storm. No, we are not missing all the snow. Caitlyn and I drove from Sarnia this morning. The weather was not bad until Mississauga. White outs on the 401 and the 427 can prove to be scary, but we are here. Caitlyn didn't even know it was snowing because she slept most of the way here.
We received a call while in Sarnia on the weekend from a sports reporter from the Toronto Star. They want to do an article on Caitlyn and the benefit hockey game. This reporter was in awe as we talked to her about it. Anyway, the article is to be in tomorrow's Toronto Star.
Anyway nothing more really happening, but will update later this week.

Rona and Caitlyn

February 1

Hello everyone
Hard to believe this all started on January 1 and we are now one month into it. This past month flew by.
Caitlyn is feeling better, a little less tired and stronger everyday. She had a check up with the chemo doctor today who told us her MRI of her spine was clear and her bloodwork today was perfect. Two pieces of good news!!!
Yesterday was another good day, we went down Younge street to a wig shop that we spied last week. Walked in for a consult and to see what they had, as we had the name of a few other shops and we found one that was perfect. Caitlyn is so excited to have found one. Again, thanks to the community, for making the purchase of this wig for her easier.
Well not much more to report but we have got 2 weeks in after tomorrow, and one week from today we will be almost half way through.
Well best go for now.
Rona