Nina's first chemo session

Yesterday was Nina's operation to place the port in her chest and first chemo. I have to say she is so amazing. She tolerated chemo very well. She was smiling and laughing and VERY happy when she was allowed to eat. I climbed into the hospital bed with her and hugged her while the administered the 2 chemo drugs. She was very tired and went to bed shortly after going home. She woke several times in the night because her chest hurt, she was also a little sick to her stomach this morning. The meds they gave for nausea helped right away. She also said her head felt "funny" today at one point. I pray to God that this medication is eating away at the tumor already. I felt a lot of things yesterday. Very hard day to endure. It hurts so much to watch my daughter have to suffer. I was very sad. It reminded me of the feeling I had when Nina first became ill. Felt like some one was ripping my heart out. Then VERY angry, I was also happy and grateful. My emotions were running rapid and SO intense. It was a roller coaster of feelings and thoughts. The chemo was done at CHOC. I am very glad for that. It seems that in the medical world children are catered to more so than adults. All of her chemo will be at CHOC or the children's cancer institute in OC. I have to speak of the other children / families I saw. AMAZING. Nina's roommate was the most beautiful young lady you could imagine. Her name is Laura, she is 20 years old. She has leukemia. It was in remission and came back. Her chemo drugs come all the way from France (not FDA approved here, but her dr fought for her and got insurance to approve and pay for them. The reason I mention this is I made a mental note and others may want to as well). She is waiting for bone marrow transplant. This young lady smiled and talked to us. She has no hair, but honestly, she is so beautiful. Inside and out. We met Clark he looks about 13. He has no hair. He was smiling each time I saw him. I saw babies and toddlers. All with no hair. I have to say, each one of these children were beautiful to me. So much laughter from them all. For every child I smiled at, two more people smiled at mine. I am blown away by these "very special little warriors" including my own daughter. People with healthy children will never know the pain this disease can cause. They will also never know the beautiful lessons in life this disease can teach you. Although I would never wish this upon any one. My "little warrior princess" is going to beat this. And I will be there every step of the way to help her.