I'm trying something different today, writing while I'm awake, so I don't forget important details like the spinal tap results!...
It is a good news, bad news update today. I'm guessing many will be like that in days to come. Starting with bad news, Aly is still in the hospital. She is still having trouble going to the bathroom, and that is what is keeping her here. They are also trying to tweak the feeding formula because that is giving her an upset stomach. So, until they figure out those two things, she will be here. We thought that maybe it was a helpful thing (for us) that she'd be in the hospital over the weekend, but the fact that the doctors in charge are not typically here on the weekends is really frustrating. The "fill in" doctors don't seem to know much or have any sense of urgency. I will say, the schedule was totally up to the doctors and not our choice. They wanted to move quickly, and they did, but now it is like hurry up and wait! On top of that, she was able to shower today and as they were drying her hair, there was some hair loss. Not a significant amount, but it was there. I truly can't believe that this is all happening so very quickly. If you are unaware of what chemotherapy targets, it goes after the fastest growing cells. Your hair folicles are one the fastest, next to cancer cells.
The good news, is that Aly is feeling pretty good, health wise. Her platelets count and white cell count actually went up, which they say is a bit unusual at this stage of treatment. Normally they are on the way down as the chemo drugs start their attack. Platelets help your blood clot. White cells help you fight infection. Both are important to maintain during this ordeal. Hopefully, that type of news will continue! We also had a little bit of fun today. The mascot and a couple of players from the Minnesota Swarm (lacrosse) came to visit. It sounds like they get quite a lot of visitors on this floor. Another patient's family told Kevin about Pat Williams (Viking) coming and having a scooter race with some of the kids. It is truly appreciated. Some of the kids here have been going through treatments for a long time, years in fact. I am amazed at their good spirits. At one point, we couldn't get the DVD player, in Aly's room, to work. Leave it to a kid to help solve a technical problem. Halen, a teenage patient here, made sure Aly was taken care of. They have a cart with a tv on it and an Xbox. He came up with the solution of watching the DVD through the Xbox. He helped wheel the cart into Aly's room and showed her how to use the Xbox controller to run the movie. He's a great kid, battling leukemia. We were told he practically lives here. How hard would that be? Make sure you take the time to hug your kids tonight, every night for that matter!
It is a good news, bad news update today. I'm guessing many will be like that in days to come. Starting with bad news, Aly is still in the hospital. She is still having trouble going to the bathroom, and that is what is keeping her here. They are also trying to tweak the feeding formula because that is giving her an upset stomach. So, until they figure out those two things, she will be here. We thought that maybe it was a helpful thing (for us) that she'd be in the hospital over the weekend, but the fact that the doctors in charge are not typically here on the weekends is really frustrating. The "fill in" doctors don't seem to know much or have any sense of urgency. I will say, the schedule was totally up to the doctors and not our choice. They wanted to move quickly, and they did, but now it is like hurry up and wait! On top of that, she was able to shower today and as they were drying her hair, there was some hair loss. Not a significant amount, but it was there. I truly can't believe that this is all happening so very quickly. If you are unaware of what chemotherapy targets, it goes after the fastest growing cells. Your hair folicles are one the fastest, next to cancer cells.
The good news, is that Aly is feeling pretty good, health wise. Her platelets count and white cell count actually went up, which they say is a bit unusual at this stage of treatment. Normally they are on the way down as the chemo drugs start their attack. Platelets help your blood clot. White cells help you fight infection. Both are important to maintain during this ordeal. Hopefully, that type of news will continue! We also had a little bit of fun today. The mascot and a couple of players from the Minnesota Swarm (lacrosse) came to visit. It sounds like they get quite a lot of visitors on this floor. Another patient's family told Kevin about Pat Williams (Viking) coming and having a scooter race with some of the kids. It is truly appreciated. Some of the kids here have been going through treatments for a long time, years in fact. I am amazed at their good spirits. At one point, we couldn't get the DVD player, in Aly's room, to work. Leave it to a kid to help solve a technical problem. Halen, a teenage patient here, made sure Aly was taken care of. They have a cart with a tv on it and an Xbox. He came up with the solution of watching the DVD through the Xbox. He helped wheel the cart into Aly's room and showed her how to use the Xbox controller to run the movie. He's a great kid, battling leukemia. We were told he practically lives here. How hard would that be? Make sure you take the time to hug your kids tonight, every night for that matter!
UPDATE on update: Aly started going to the bathroom tonight!...cross your fingers that she will be out of the hospital on Tuesday!
Yay Aly! Madie is so happy to hear she might be coming home! Go Go Aly!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how your lives have been so completely turned upside down in such a short period of time. You are both wonderful parents and Aly is so lucky to be a part of your family. Hang in there! We are all pulling for you!
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