Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Back Home

Maddy was finally able to come home today.  Her fevers have stayed away.  We still have to give her her shots and she now is hooked up to IV antibiotics-  we are getting good at figuring out how to work her portable pump!  All of her counts (red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells) are still low.  She had to get another blood transfusion today before coming home and will probably need platelets Friday.  Have we mentioned lately how grateful we are to all those who donate blood and blood products!!!!  

Unfortunately, all of Maddy's beautiful hair is falling out again.  Maddy wants to shave her own head-  she mentioned something about a mohawk.  : )  I will be sure to post some pictures if she gets her way.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day

Maddy and I spent Mother's Day in the hospital.  Maddy spiked a fever Saturday afternoon and we had to go to the hospital.  With her counts so low, they don't take any chances.  They started antibiotics right away and she also had a platelet and blood transfusion.  Now we just wait to make sure her fever stays away.  If it does, she will hopefully be able to come home on Tuesday on the antibiotics.  Russ and Julia came up today after the choir concert so Russ and I could do the changing of the guard at the hospital.  When Julia and I were leaving, her temp was 99.6...

I have learned a lot over the last two and a half years, but this weekend reminded me of one of the most important lessons I have learned and that is to take advantage of and be grateful for times you are able to spend together as a family.  I think in the hustle and bustle of life we sometimes forget this.  Being together as a family would have made this the best Mother's Day ever.  Maybe next year!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Cycle 3 Update

I am happy to report that Maddy did very well this time with the ARA-C chemo treatment.  She went in last Tuesday and was home by Thursday evening.  She wished away all fevers (and drank cold water before the nurses took her temperature just in case- sshh!)  : )   We also continued the eye drops a little longer than usual, so her eyes didn't bother her as much.  It is amazing what the power of prayer can do!!!

Now we wait for her counts to recover.  She got platelets today and she will get blood work again on Friday to see if she needs a blood transfusion to amp up her red blood cells.  She has to have those daily shots to help her white blood cells recover which are NO fun and make Maddy grumpy.  Maddy takes it out on her dad since he handles the needle.  Mom gets to put the bandaid on!  Right now, her white blood cells are so low that she has no immune system.  That means masks, hand sanitizer, and no crowds.

If all goes as planned (which it rarely does) Maddy is scheduled for the next treatment in this cycle on May 21st.