Força Aurelia

 Well, our Christmas plan went out the window last week. Rory and I were trying so hard to keep Aurelia healthy and out of the hospital so we could be together as a family, but COVID had other plans. Wednesday the 22nd was the last day of school for Eston and I was going to pick him up and bring him back to the beach on Thursday. On Wednesday at 5pm (school day ends at 5:20 here) we received an email from school explaining that a student in Eston’s class was positive and he would need to quarantine at home. Since he is vaccinated, he could take a test and then be with the family (or so we thought). I went to Girona thinking I would be there for 48 hours or so. Eston did test negative, but others in his class were positive, so the quarantine was extended to January 1st and Aurelia’s medical team told us he really shouldn’t be with her. Major bummer. We spent Christmas morning on FaceTime—Eston opening gifts while quarantined in his bedroom, me sitting in my bedroom, and Rory and Aur...

  From the beginning of this journey we were told various things about each phase from our medical team, the many books we have read, the support groups, etc. We were told how tough induction was, how the HDMTX would be awful and all sorts of other things. Quite frankly, Aurelia never had much a struggle with any of it, so we just continued on our way feeling grateful things were uneventful. We were warned that this current Delayed Intensification phase was rough and this warning holds true. Incredibly true. A little over a week ago Aurelia started to feel quite crummy. She now has very little energy and is irritable. It became a struggle for her to do schoolwork, ride her bike, hike...all of the things we have been able to do without much effort. I suppose this day was eventually going to arrive, so I am grateful it has taken months. Our original plan was for Rory and I to take turns being here in Barcelona with Aurelia and Eston in Girona, but last week he called me and asked me ...

 We have been in Barcelona for a little over a week. Aurelia started the delayed intensification phase and it’s been a little tougher than previous months. Her energy has waned a bit and she experiences neutropathic pain. She has days where everything seems normal and we do schoolwork, ride bikes along the beach and play on the sand. There are other days where she struggles to do much of anything and it’s hard to see that as a parent. We take each day as it comes and Aurelia is doing her very best. Aurelia really wants to go home, especially for Christmas, but we have to be within 30 minutes of the hospital during this phase due to the high risk of infection. It stinks to be away from home at Christmas but we are doing our best and feel grateful for the chance to be right on the beach for these weeks.  I spend the days helping her with school work and washing and cleaning every surface and making all of her food. Aurelia’s appetite has been up and down, which frustrates her as...

The next phase has begun. Rory and Aurelia went down to the hospital yesterday for treatment and there was a bit of drama as Aurelia began to go into anaphylactic shock with one of the drugs. Thankfully this happened when the doctor was in the room and the issue was solved in seconds and Aurelia was able to continue treatment. This phase is meant to be quite rough on her, so we are not sure what to expect. As always, we will take things as they come and hope for the best. Rory and Aurelia moved into our new temporary beach digs just outside the city center. Eston and I will leave after school on Friday to go and join them. It’s a 5-day weekend here in Catalunya (religious holidays) so hopefully the sun is shining at the beach! Eston has had bike and/or running races every weekend since school started so it will be nice to have a weekend to relax as a family. Other than the hiccup yesterday, Aurelia has been feeling strong and positive. She is tired of taking so many medications and mis...