BETTER!

yes... better!

After being down for quite a while, Kristin's counts are finally recovering. ANC 960, HGB 9.9, PLATELETS 122, WBC 1600. These are great compared to what we had been experiencing. Although she is still very tired , she can finally get out of the house and do some things with friends... This was the hardest part of the down time for her and really for the last eight months. She has felt disconnected from everything. Understandably, many kids do not know how to talk or approach her, yes it can be intimidating. I wonder if I would have had the courage to do so at that age. In reality all these children really crave is to be treated and feel; as Kristin says, " treat me like a normal kid!" This has been very difficult in so many aspects. 17 is a tough time developmentally to be going through all of this. Doctors and nurses alike have commented that everything from chemo, down time, side effects and emotional impact are more difficult, complicated and challenging with teens. I say that that is surely an understatement! On the flip side, is there ever a good time? editor's note-this is strictly myself speaking, for my daughter, through my experiences only!

Her anxieties about returning to school in October are completely understandable. She is not the same Kristin who left last December. We talk a lot about the future. There are so many great things to look forward to and she has fantastic dreams and goals to capture! In the mean time she takes each day one at a time and for face value. Meanwhile....she is trying really, really hard to
LIVE HAPPY!

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