Hi there

Hope everyone is gearing up for Christmas, we are a little slower in preparing this year. I just can't seem to get into the mood but with all this snow outdoors, the mood is starting to come.

Well, last weekend our girls hockey teams in our town, hosted the Regional Silverstick hockey tournament. During the opening ceremonies on Friday night, they officially retired Caitlyn's hockey jersey and her number. It was a wonderful tribute to such a special girl. The opening ceremony ended with Bryanna, Caitlyn's sister leading all the girls in a "victory"lap around the ice and then the 4 of us dropped the puck for the game.

Jim and I had crests made for all the girls jerseys with grey angel wings and Caitlyn's number "10" on them. These have been sewn on the left chest of all the girls jerseys.

Jim and I, also had contructed this shadow box for the lobby of the arena. It has her jersey, her last hockey picture, a write up about her and the 2 trophies that she received throughout her hockey career for being the "Most Dedicated Player" 2 separate years.

Following the ceremony, one of Caityn's good friends showed us what she had created in memory of Caitlyn. This girl was a goalie on her hockey team for several years and now currently plays out of town. She had a new goalie helmet made in memory of Caitlyn, with the BRAIN child emblem on the back, grey ribbons on both sides, and Caitlyn's initials on the front. I will be posting pictures later.

All in all, the weekend was a great time of remembrance, laughs and a few tears.

Hello all!

Sorry for not posting earlier as there really was not much going on.

All is well with the Cobean family and we are trying to get back to a way of life. Dylan and Bryanna are both quite involved with hockey so that occupies our time. Speaking of hockey, on November 28th at the Girls Silverstick tournament in Port Elgin, Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey are retiring Caitlyn's number "10". This ceremony will be part of the opening ceremonies. At which point we will be erecting a shadow box in the lobby of the arena as a memorial. Our hockey family are such a supportive bunch.

Also, on November 13th, I did something I never thought I would ever do. I got a tattoo put on my foot. Caitlyn always said she wanted a tattoo on her left foot, over the scar from her ankle fusion, that said "Imagine a cure" which is the slogan for brain tumours. So being as she was unable to complete her dream, I decided that this would be a great tribute to our wonderful daughter. Yes, it did hurt a lot but, as I sat there getting the tattoo, I thought of all the time that Caitlyn persevered the pain and agony of chemo and radiation and never said a word. I also, felt her there watching over me, laughing at me and telling me to "suck it up buttercup", one of her favourite phrases.

Well, until next time.

Rona

Hello all
Well, we have got back into the swing of things, somewhat. Work, hockey and everyday life. Although it will never be the same everyday life.
We are spending a bit of time on a major project now. That is that we have been approved by council to have a Relay for Life next summer in Port Elgin. The date is set for June 26, 2009 at the high school track. I am a co chair with Jim's sister, Nancy and Trish Bernard, who is one of Caitlyn's friend's mother. We are all quite excited. There has been a tremendous support from several people already, wanting to help with this event. The three of us are planning on attending a conference on the Relay for Life, at the end of the month. All of this is helping with the healing process, as we continue the fight for Caitlyn.
We will keep you up to date on the progress of this great walk.

Rona

Hello all

Well, we had a busy weekend! Friday night we spent the entire night in Mildmay at the Relay for Life with about 35 of our friends. We had 3 teams there to support us, in memory of Caitlyn. What a great event!! It was a very big emotional roller coaster. The event raised $72 000.00 for cancer research. Thsi is picture of our campsite at the event. We then came home and slept for a few hours on Saturday. Sunday was the Terry Fox Run in Port Elgin, where I had been asked to say a few words as Terry's teammate. Although it was pouring down rain there was a great turnout. We did not actually walk in this event as our feet and legs were still aching from Friday night. Again, another amazing event. So needless to say we have been in bed early the last couple of nights.

I have went back to work last week, once Dylan and Bryanna got settled into school. Jim is working also, (he went back to work the week after the funeral). We are planning weekend trips with the trailer before the weather gets too nasty and trying to find out what our "normal" is now. We dearly miss Caitlyn and often think of what Caitlyn would say when certain things arise. We truly felt her presence with us all weekend as we continued the fight against this horrible disease.

Thanks again for remaining interested in our postings.

The Cobeans

Well, here we are 2 1/2 weeks out from Caitlyn's passing and we are adjusting to our lives without her here. Things are quieter in the house, but we can still hear her periodically coming up with her witty comments. It seems odd without her here.
Bryanna(for those who don't know that is Caitlyn's younger sister) and I are doing some day trips and Jim and Dylan (Caitlyn's older brother) are back to work. I will be returning to work in a couple of weeks, after the kids are back to school and settled.
We are also gearing up to participating in a Relay for Life (a walk to raise money and awareness for cancer that takes place overnight) in Mildmay on Sept 12. Our friends and family are entering 3 teams in honour of Caitlyn. I will posting pictures of the night after it happens. Those who are interested in sponsoring, please contact me. It is a great fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Thanks for the ongoing moral support that everyone has been giving us as it has helped.

Thanks again
The Cobeans

Well, it has been almost a week since Caitlyn passed away........it seems longer. For those of you that weren't at the funeral or visitation, it was a great tribute to a great young woman. There was approximately 900-1000 people through the visitation and a little over 600 at the funeral. We really did have the whole community behind us throughout this journey. We thank those who travelled a distance to be with us that day. Including those who only met Caitlyn once.
The sympathy cards are coming in the mail in droves. 73 in the last 3 days. We really truly feel loved.
Well, the house feels a little bit empty and I am having a little trouble with the extra time I have but, I really can feel her presence here, and her smile.
I was asked several times throughout the visitation if I was going to keep the blog up. I think I will as it is a great place to reflect. So, sorry you are not done hearing from me yet.

The Cobeans

Well, it is with extreme sadness to let everyone know that Caitlyn passed away this morning at 3:50 am. She certainly did not go without kicking and screaming! She was surrounded by her family, and friends here in our livingroom with love pouring everywhere.
Her fight will continue with all of us, because there is not another family in the world who need to go through this pain.
She is at peace now!!!!

The Cobeans

The link to the funeral home is www.milroyfuneralhomes.com

Well, Caitlyn remains somewhat the same. She is resting comfortably most of the times, but has periods of choking that prove to be exasberating to her. Enjoying her, day by day and hour by hour.
If nothing else, we have been taught to enjoy life as it comes at you and make the best of every moment you have.
The warmth of the community is overwhelming and heartwarming in a time like this.

The Cobeans

Sorry for not posting yesterday. I usually do it in the evening and I was having a nap instead. Caitlyn remains resting comfortably. Early last evening she had a rough spell with her breathing but with a little more sedation she was fine. Her night last night was a good one, being only awake a couple of times with breathing problems.
Caitlyn, from the day she was diagnosed with cancer, decided she was going to fight this with all her might. I believe she has never lost that attitude and will take it to the end. As long as she remains as peaceful as she is now, we know we have all been blessed with one of the most amazing, strong and courageous children on the earth.

The Cobeans

Caitlyn has had a much more settled day today. Her sleep last night was pretty undisturbed and her day today was much the same, having just a few choking episodes.
A Morphine pump was installed today to give her hourly doses of Morphine for sedation. This way she has a consistent dose and hopefully does not have the times when it wears of. Family and friends have been around all day, once again sharing good memories.
Thank you to all who take time out of their days to keep themselves up to date on Caitlyn. Thanks for all the well wishes, visits and food.

The Cobeans

Well, this is one of the toughest posting yet. We have had a tough, tough day. Caitlyn started to have problems with her breathing throughout the night and by this morning she was having periods of apnea (where she stopped breathing for periods of time). After calling in the family and friends, her breathing rallied around. She is heavily sedated so her breathing doesn't become distressing to her. It is more distressing to us than her, thankfully.
Well, we have spent the day with family and friends, crying, laughing and reminiscing about Caitlyn and her antics over the years.
As night falls, we wonder how much more time we have with her on this earth and enjoying every second of it. She knows she is surrounded with love and that none of us will give up on the fight against this horrible disease. No other family should have to go through something like this.

The Cobean

Home Early

Well, we arrived home from the cottage last night earlier than expected as Caitlyn's condition has deteriorated somewhat.

Prior to leaving for the cottage on Saturday, after loading her into the van, Jim asked Caitlyn if she was ready for the cottage at which point she nodded. Something she had not done for about 2 weeks. Yet another indication that we were doing the right thing.

After arriving at the cottage and setting her bed up in the livingroom that looks over the lake and putting her in the bed, we opened up the windows so she could hear the wind chimes, and the loons on the lake. Sunday afternoon she made it down to the beach via a chaise lounge chair where she was able to listen to the water lapping. Then again on Monday afternoon, she spent the entire afternoon on the beach in her chaise lounge with her IV pole beside her and a beach umbrella over her, listening to the goings on of the kids in the water and the boats going back and forth. She was awake at 4:30 am on Monday and watched morning come over the lake. There really is nothing better.

Monday night she developed problems with her saliva and was having troubles swallowing it and was up part of the night having troubles, therefore we spent the day in the cottage on Tuesday. Tuesday night proved to be a troublesome night for her with choking on her saliva and then she had a seizure. After some contemplation we decided to come home while she could. Thankfully the trip home was uneventual and she slept all the way.

After arriving home she had to be sedated somewhat as she was really having trouble with the choking and again this morning. What this means is that she can sleep comfortably without the difficulties of choking.

We are all so thankful we had those days at the cottage. It seems that Caitlyn completed her list of what she wanted to do. Go to the cottage, listen to the loons, sit on the beach, listen to the lake and watch the morning come up over the lake. None of this would of been possible if it had not been for all of our friends, and the nurses, and workers at CCAC that coordinated this whole event.

The Cobeans

The update of the week.......Caitlyn has appeared to have perked up this week somewhat. She is sleeping a little less and is awake for a couple of hours in the afternoon as well as being awake from 6-10:30 in the eve. She has been out on the porch most nights for some fresh air and change of scenery.
So after some long and hard contemplation we have decided to go to our cottage for the week, leaving tomorrow. Caitlyn has not been able to verbally communicate with us for some time now, and she is no longer nodding or shaking her head so it was hard making the decision without her input. Occasionally she will communicate with her eyes, such as the look of surprise with the news of the sudden passing of her art teacher this past week. So early in the week as I chattered away to her, I told her that I wished she could give me a sign that she wanted to go or didn't want to go to the cottage. When I started out I asked if she really wanted to go to the cottage and she looked at me with her big eyes and started to blink repetitively then I said that we could stay at home in her comfortable bed with the air conditioning at which point she glared at me. I took that as my sign that she wanted to go. And given the more alert spells we figured we would try it.
There have been many people involved in making this trip work and all to be thanked. We have the use of a large conversion van with a reclining seat for her, we have quite a load of medical supplies and we have visiting nursing coming to the cottage. Her hospital bed comes apart and will fit into our van so she will have the same comforts of home yet have different surroundings.
We are hoping and praying that we have made the right decision!
So we will be unable to update the blog for a week or so due to the lack of internet connection at he cottage.
Please keep us in your prayers for our journey!!
Thanks
Rona

Well, there is not alot to update everyone on this week. Other than she is having some difficulty with nausea that we are controlling with Gravol through her IV. Therefore in turn, she is sleeping more. She is usually awake for about 4 hours in the evening and for very short periods of time during the day.
She has not taken anything by mouth since last Sunday eve but her IV is keeping her nourished. She is responding with her eyes to the odd conversation so we are always talking to her.
The best news is that she is pain free.
Other than that there is nothing more to report. We are really wanting to thank each and everyone for their prayers, calls, visits, help, flowers, and food that has been pouring into the house.

Thanks
The Cobeans

I am sure that many are waiting for an update, so here we are. This week, Caitlyn had a PICC line put in her arm on Tuesday, instead of an IV as the IV's were not lasting very long and she was having to be poked continually. This is a semi permanent fix and are much easier to maintain. This was inserted in Owen Sound, therefore, the car trip there was exhausting and she slept most of Wednesday and Thursday but has been awake more the last two days. She is having trouble swallowing so therefore her solid food intake is very low, but we have been able to get thickened juice into her.
She has also been out in a chaise lounge chair nightly on the front porch and loving it. The change of scenery and fresh air seems to be what she wants and enjoys.
She is not talking anymore so communication is limited but will nod and shake her head to yes/no questions.
Caitlyn also was privileged today to have a massage by her massage therapist, right here in her own bed and appeared to enjoy it when she fell asleep and was snoring.
So much the same as last week, but we will keep you up to date.

The Cobeans

Caitlyn has grown weaker and weaker as the days have went on. She is unable to stand up. She started the chemo (pill form) on Tues July 1 but unfortunately by the next evening she was unable to swallow her pills. She was having difficulty swallowing fluids also. So on Thurs we had a hospital bed delivered and set up in the living room and an IV put in for hydration. Therefore the chemo has been aborted because it comes in pill form only and she is unable to swallow it. She has no pain so as far as comfort she has it. Her steriod and seizure meds are going through the IV though.
She has had a multitude of visitors which she seems to be loving even though she is unable to verbalize this. She uses her eyes to communicate and they say it all sometimes. She will nod and shake her head also to questions. She is certainly comprehending everything. Now since the IV she has been swallowing a bit better. Today she ate watermelon and last night had a couple of pieces of Caramilk chocolate bar.
She does sleep a far bit, but being in the livingroom allows her to watch her favourite TV programs when she wants.
She has had the opportunity to see her cousin who is in Africa for a work placement for school via a webcam, which has been good for both of them.
Well, until next time, thanks to all who have stopped by, brought food, sent prayers, and helped out with everyday life!!!

Thanks
The Cobeans

Well, I am sure everyone has been checking the site for the update. We were in Toronto on Thursday to meet the doctor and have another MRI.
The doctor and nurses were amazed at the difference in her from 6 weeks ago. She is so much weaker.
Well, results are in. The cancer has spread once again. This time into the right side of her brain. We were suspecting that this would be the answer as each day she is weaker and weaker and sleeping more and more.
What can be done? Well, they have started her on a steriod to help a little with the energy and they are putting her back onto the one chemo drug she was on before for comfort reasons only. We have discussed this with Caitlyn and she was agreeable. This type of chemo shouldn't make her too nauseated.
Throughout this whole ordeal she has faced this head on, even as we told her the chemo would not help the cancer to go away, she nodded that she understood. She says she is not scared or sad, just mad at cancer and what it can do to the body! We are so proud of the strength that someone of such young age can find while facing life head on and taking it the way that it is given to her!! Never once have I witnessed her to feel sorry for herself! Well, I will keep the blog up to date as we travel this leg of the journey!

Thanks to all for the wonderful support and love
Rona

Well, I am sure there are people wondering how things are going. Well, they are much the same. Caitlyn is about the same, she is tired......maybe not quite as tired as she has been and still struggling with her words. So, that is why we haven't updated recently.

Last weekend, June 6-8, we went to our cottage with 3 of her friends, Tessa, Emily and Alanna, and her sister Bryanna and her Aunt Nancy and Alanna's mom, Trish. This is a picture of the 4 girls on the front deck of the cottage. Our cottage is a family cottage near North Bay. The black flies were bad but the girls didn't care, they still had a great time together. Alot of laughs to be had.

Also on June 11th at the awards ceremony at the high school, Caitlyn was awarded the Principal's Leadership Award. This is given to the kids who show leadership to the school body. She was one of four who received the award this year. The principal felt that she showed the school body how to life through adversity, by maintaining the honour roll while fighting cancer and taking chemotherapy. A wonderful acknowledgement.

We also have the date for her next MRI which is June 26th at 6:30 pm. We haven't talked to the nurse to see if we will see the doctors that day in clinic then do the MRI and go home and get the results the next day by phone. That is what I am hoping will happen.

So, other than that all is the same. Which is a good thing!!

Thanks

The Cobeans

Well,
Everyone is wondering how things are going so I thought I better update.
Caitlyn is very tired and spends alot of time sleeping. In fact I got a call from the school that she was sleeping through class, so we are now letting her sleep in, in the mornings and I am taking her to school during lunch and for a period after lunch. They have assured us that she has all of her credits and will not be writing any exams so school right now is more for the social aspect. But that usually is enough for her and she will come home for a 2 hour nap after.
She is also having trouble with mixing up words and not being able to get her thoughts across. She knows what she wants to say but it just doesn't come out the way she wants. This is due to the location of the new areas. She occasionally is frustrated with it but eventually we figure out what it is that she is trying to say. Caitlyn being Caitlyn can usually make something funny of it and we all laugh.
She also had a fun excurtion on the 21st when she was asked to go to a Marlies game in Toronto. It was a spur of the moment thing when one of her friends, Emily Kelly was going with a family friend, Don, and they had an extra ticket. They had a blast!!! It is a long story but a stranger out of the crowd ended up coming up to them and giving her a Marlies' jersey which she later got signed by the goalie and a couple other players. Pictures to follow!!! It was exactly what she needed. Some fun!!!
Tomorrow she is participating in the Cops for Cancer golf tournament as the "team captain", basically she will be at the dinner as a representative of the Cancer Society. Her dad and I are golfing in it and her brother is shaving his head at the event. We might note that he has raised around $1400 for the event.
Well, until next time......

The Cobeans

Well......final MRI result are in.........

Well,
We received the final MRI results on Thursday night. Well, it wasn't as good as anticipated after all....... They have found there to be 3 new areas of great concern. These areas are unfortunately outside the original tumour area and are in the frontal lobe of the brain. They are very small right now, but none the less they are there. Not the easiest news to swallow!!!
There are two options that were given. We can wait for 6 weeks and repeat the MRI to see what they have done and at that point discuss treatment options. There is possibly 2 different trials of chemo that are available. Surgery is not an option nor is radiation. The other choice was to go to Sick kids run some tests now and assess chemo. Given that she is feeling so well, they are hesitant to this one, as you start to look at quality of life.
Well, after discussing it with Caitlyn, who took it all in stride. Caitlyn has decided that she doesn't want to start chemo right now because she is feeling so good and doesn't want to ruin it. So here we wait for 6 weeks. The doctors are absolutely amazing at Sick Kids as we had this discussion with the one Neuro oncologist at 11pm that night. She wanted to be honest and up front with us, but in the same token she was very upset telling us because Caitlyn has left a footprint on their hearts too, just like everyone else she has had contact with.
Well, we will keep the blog up to date regularly and for those who are out there praying for us, an extra one won't hurt!!!

Thanks
The Cobeans

Okay! I will put a posting up, I am sure there have been a few on the site today looking for the update.
We spent the weekend in Toronto, and participated with friends in the Meagan's Walk, which is a fundraiser for pediatric brain tumour research at Sick Kids. This is our 2nd year and had a really good time. Then Caitlyn and I and our friends Pat and Lyndsay stayed Sunday night for Caitlyn's appointments on Monday.
She saw the neuro oncologists and the dietician during the afternoon. They were both pleased!! She has gained back some more of her mobility with her leg and arm and she also gained 2 pounds which is a great thing.
Then onto the MRI. They were an hour delayed therefore we were not out of the hospital until 10 pm. But the radiologist (a fellow, just learning) approached us after the MRI to ask if she had any headaches or any changes in her condition since the last MRI. He then stated that there were changes in the MRI but really couldn't expand on it. He strongly encouraged me to contact the doctor this morning but I knew that the doctor had told me they would call me today. Well, long story short. The neuro oncologist called at lunch to tell me that all is the same or stable. She has looked at it and compared it with the last one and can not see any change. She told us that this is a peliminary report and that they would be looking over it again with a real radiologist today for a final report. But she assured me that there was definitely nothing obvious and that she was unsure what the fellow was talking about. Now we breath again!!!!!
This being the case we are not to see them again for another 3 months. Good report?....well, I am pretty sure!!
Now that is why I was delayed in making a new entry on the blog.
I will update with the confirmed when I hear.

Thanks for the prayers and support everyone
The Cobeans

Well we are back from another trip to Toronto. Today was Caitlyn's 4 month check up with the neuro-opthamologist ( a fancy name for an eye doctor who specializes in eye problems involved with the brain). Well, they were very pleased there and don't need to see her for 9 months. It was sort of like getting a "get out of jail free" card. Anyways, she does have her dreaded MRI on May 12th and will see her cancer doctors and the dietician that day. Because her MRI is at 8pm that day, we will come home that night and they will call us the next day with the results. So keep the prayers going.
She is doing wonderful right now. She did spend alot of time sleeping last week but this week she seems right up on life. She never stopped talking on the way to Toronto last night. That is the most energy she has had in 16 months!!!! It is good to see!
Well we will update you again in about 3 weeks, following our next appointment.

Till next time
The Cobeans

Sorry again for the delay, it just means there is no real excitement right now. Actually normalcy is a great thing! It really is underrated.
We have got through March Break which was very uneventful and are now back to school and the grindstone.
Caitlyn is feeling great other than the occasional stomach pain which is quite distressing at times, but we are kind of holding off on the investigating because we are pretty sure it is still related to the chemo. Her blood counts are slowing starting to come back to normal but it feeling good.
School work is a bit tougher this semester with the 3rd course thrown in there but she is keeping up. She is still doing physio 5 days a week at school with her educational assistant and 2 of those days she goes to the pool for excercise. It all seems to be working she is getting stronger all the time.
We are back to Sick Kids on April 23 for an eye appointment and we have our date for the next MRI which is May 12 at 8pm, that will be the 3 month mark. I wish sometimes that they wouldn't tell us the date until closer to the time then we don't have to worry so soon, but as soon as you hear the date you start to worry!!
We are putting a team in the Meagan's walk again this year, which is a walk from Ontario Place to Sick kids followed by a human hug of the hospital, all to raise money for brain tumour research. It will be held on Mother's Day (May 11), if anyone is interested please let us know, every one is welcome.

Til next time
The Cobeans

Sorry for not posting for a while. That just means there has not been anything real exciting (which is a good thing).

She is feeling really good, other than a cold which half of the town has. Physio and occupational therapy is going well, with improvements noted all the time. She is right now just slugging around for March Break with no big plans.

On February 28th, Caitlyn, 8 friends and 8 moms went to see Dirty Dancing in Toronto. It was a great time!!! Here is a picture of some of the girls that night.

Well until next time,

the Cobeans

Good visit at Sick Kids

Hello all
Well we were at Sick Kids today, and all went well (as we expected). The MRI was the same as the last one therefore meaning it is stable, just where we want it!! So, now that she is in the recovery phase, she is going to start back to some normalcy. Therefore, the doctors told her to do her bloodwork again in 2 weeks and if it is okay, we can stop doing it. She will continue to have a MRI every 3 months and see the doctors right after. So next visit to oncology will be in May!!!! She has an eye appointment there in April but other than that our visits will be getting less and less. What will we do with all our time?????
We will continue to keep everyone in the loop and I will try to update the blog regularly with how she is doing!!! Continue the prayers and we can try and keep this tumour where it belongs!!!!
Thanks
The Cobeans

Good News again

Well, the MRI was yesterday. We went down on Saturday night when we heard about the freezing rain. Thank God we did, apparently it was a skating rink here.
We did not expect to hear anything until we went for our visit this Thursday, but the neuro oncologist phoned tonight at 6pm to tell us that the MRI looked good. She felt that waiting until Thursday was too long!! We agree but were willing to do it.
I am sure we will find out more on Thursday like looking at the films, but we are excited for now. It is all about the present!!! This was a great early birthday present for Caitlyn.
We will update more after Thursday.

The Cobeans

Hello
Well all is going good. Caitlyn is feeling great. We were in Toronto yesterday for a check up with her neurologist (the one who helps with her seizures). He is happy with her progress and we don't have to see him for 6 months.
She has a date for her next MRI, Feb 17th, but because that is a Sunday, we are going back down on the 21st for a check up and the results of the MRI. She is feeling really good, so we hope that this is reflected in the MRI.
School is going well, and they have started second semester so she is taking three courses this semester with her 4th period being for her physio and occupational therapy. Report cards are in from first semester and she got an 81% average. She is fairly proud of that.
Well, we will keep you posted but for now, all is well.
Thanks
The Cobeans

Hello all
Well, here we are all home on a wonderful snow day. We are feeling like we are inside an igloo and can not really see too far outside our windows.
Caitlyn has completed her exams, writing math last Friday and geography on Monday. She felt pretty good about both of them. She is feeling really good these days and we even had the opportunity to finally go out and celebrate the fact that she finished chemo. Our camping friends and the five of us went to Crabby Joe's last night for dinner to celebrate. Finishing dinner with a cake decorated with "Yipee, chemo is over!"
Well, we will let everyone know how well she did in this semesters courses. Next semester starts next week and she will be taking English, History and Food & Nutrition, using the 4th period for her physio/ occupational therapy.
No word yet on the MRI date but we will keep all posted.

The Cobean

All Done!

Hello all
Well, her last round of chemo is complete!!!!!!!!!! She did spend the entire week home from school as her stomach was quite upset and we ended up in Emerg on Tuesday night with uncontrollable heartburn which was treated with a solution that was effective. She experienced fatigue also this week, but appears to be bouncing back once again. She definitely had an enormous smile on her face Friday morning when she realized that there would not be any more chemo.
Now, you ask what happens now. While as Caitlyn was told at Sick Kids last time she was there. She has 3 jobs to do now. 1) Have a MRI every 3 months, 2) Do bloodwork regularly and 3) Go have fun and be a kid. Well, I think that we can handle all of that.
So they monitor the tumour with the MRIs and they may sometime in the future have to restart chemo if there is regrowth of the tumour but for now, all is good.
We will continually keep everyone up to date with her progress.

Thanks
The Cobeans

Well,Round 6 here we come

Hello all
Well, the bloodwork this morning showed that her body has recouped enough to have her last round of chemo!!! They are eliminating the one kind of chemo because her counts have been struggling to come back up but they are keeping the rest the same. This is not an issue though. Now, Caitlyn is following her hockey team to Cambridge for a tournament this weekend so the doctors agreed that she could delay starting the chemo until Sunday night. Following that she doesn't go back to Sick Kids until her next MRI which should be some time near the end of this month.
In the rest of her life, well, she is gearing up for exams at school and studying seems to be going okay so far. Her physio and occupational therapy that she does at school really has been going well. She has some great educational assistants who really challenge her and do a lot to help with her therapy. Today, for the first she walked the halls of the high school with her E.A.s. This is now going to be a part of her daily therapy, to get up from her scooter and go for a walk. Her next goal is to go without her scooter at school on her birthday (Feb 22) therefore she is going to practice until then.
Well, we will update next week following her LAST round of chemo.

The Cobeans

A New Year

Hello all
Well, we have all survived the festive season. Busy but fun!! Caitlyn has not had much to do medically since the last posting but she has done lots. We celebrated Xmas and Boxing Day with family then New Years eve and day with friends. She also completed her goal of the holiday break and that was to get back on skates. She was quite nervous but made a half of a lap around the arena before taking the skates off.
Then, today was back to the grindstone with bloodwork. Her platelets are high enough but her neutrophils (for fighting infection) are still too low. So no sign of chemo yet. Bloodwork will be again next week to see if they are coming up. Until then......
The Cobean