Friday, November 14, 2008

Life Is Good




Our baby is doing good. I was expecting this first week being home from the hospital to be the same as last time. Someone needed to be right with her or she would tip right over, she was also out of it and more fussy than normal. This time was much better. She has hardly been groggy at all. I think that she had a lot less medication in her this time when we brought her home. She seems to be doing really well. Her blood counts are all up and looking great, in fact her ANC (absolute neutrophil count- which helps to fight off infection) are high enough that for now we can stop giving her the neupogen shots that we usually give her every night, YEA!!! Her levels will probably drop over the next week though and we may need to give them to her again before her next treatment, but that is okay. Her Broviac Line is still causing some problems when we try to draw back blood, but our home health care nurse is getting pretty good at figuring out what to do to get it to work. We have found that it works much quicker if we have her laying down either on her back or stomach, but even with that it is no guarantee that it will draw blood right away. It is always interesting especially those mornings when she comes and I haven't had the chance to brush my teeth yet and I end up needing to sing over and over again, "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with actions all while holding my daughters arms and being only about a foot away from the nurses face. Maybe on those days I should get up a few minutes earlier to brush my teeth, so that the home health care nurse doesn't pass out on me! My little girl is quite the trooper, I wonder if her body will just continue to get more adjusted to its new normal and the changes in her will have less effect on her. She is still struggling with finding foods that taste good to her, but when we find something we let her eat it until she is full. We also just follow her around with a sippy cup offering her drinks throughout the day, our hope is that she will get enough to drink this way. She loves spending time with her brother and sisters and they can always make her smile and laugh. Sometimes I listen to her playing with her siblings and forget that she has cancer, and has just undergone chemotherapy... until I look over and see her darling little bald head, then I remember! I guess my point is, she is doing much better than I had expected coming home this time, WHAT A BLESSING. I will keep everyone updated with her blood counts over the next few weeks, and if things continue to go as well as they are we won't need to go the hospital until her next round of treatment, which will happen after Thanksgiving.

11 comments:

Will Murdoch said...

We're so happy that she's doing so well. Thanks for the update!

Julie said...

Just wanted to tell you how much fun I had today with your children. They are all little darlings and get along so well. What struck me is how resiliant they are and how much they love one another. You are both wonderful parents. Thanks for your example to me and my family.
Much love,
Julie

Sharla said...

It was so good to see you the other day! Even if it was to "use me for my map". It felt good to help you out in some un-important way. Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you. We love you! I'm so glad to hear your baby is doing so well. May it continue!!!

Dennis and Maridee said...

We are happy hearing Alyssa is doing better after this round of chemo. You guys are an inspiration to all of us. I was reading Elder L. Tom Perry's conference talk this morning and I thought about you guys the whole time I was reading it. Hope you have a good week. When is Alyssa's next treatment and when do you want us to come help? Let us know because we can come anytime!!!!! Love ya, Aunt Maridee

Tara said...

That makes me so happy! I hope and pray that things continue to look up. We miss you guys in the ward!

Eastmond family said...

We've been following this blog unofficially for awhile now. We're so glad that you all seem to have been able to "come up for air." You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Janae B said...

Happy to read that she is doing so much better this go round. We'll keep in touch for when you need us.

Angie said...

It is such good news to hear that she is doing better! You are continually in our prayers.

Amy Marble said...

Glad to hear that she's doing well this time around. We were at the Manti Temple this weekend and I put your names on the prayer roll - I hope that you don't mind!

Emily said...

It to hear the positive in all this. I am glad this time was better. Hopefully it will just keep getting better each time.

Emily

Doug and Carol Ann said...

There is absolutely nothing we enjoy more than to read your tender and genuine comments. We can visualize the little kids playing together, and our little baby joining in when she feels up to it. Be sure to get some time when you can get out and get a breath of fresh air, a good walk around the block with some of the kids, and take time to laugh together. You have a great cheering section here in our part of the world!!!! We love and miss you, but know you are well taken care of. Gr and Gr R