The final report on the DNA is good. She does have 90% donor cells in her marrow. We're still waiting on the report about her blasts. Please pray that is good too. We really need those donor cells to multiply this week!
We are so happy to hear the news about the donor cells. Nobody has caused me so much worry in my life as much as Natalie has. I was so down this weekend because my heart was so heavy, full of worry. Sean was the only one who could cheer me up a little. He made me smile when he prayed Saturday night for Natalie. At the end, he added, "Thank you God for giving me a great day." I asked him what made his day great and he said it was because he got to spend some time playing with his papa in the morning and spent the whole day with his PoPo. It made me realize that even though my day was hard, Sean's day was great. That means the day was okay.
Yesterday's news was what we needed and we keep praying for more good news. Thank you so much for all your prayers.
Natalie is sleeping right now. She just got some Benedryl and platelets so she'll be asleep until probably 2 pm.
She is also starting to crave meals (turkey pot pie, chicken noodle soup, etc.) besides snacks. They are starting to taper off her IV nutrition little by little as she starts to eat more.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Days 30, 31 & 32
Weekend was emotionally challenging as far as worrying about the results today. We still do not have the final reports, but the preliminary results look good. They are seeing donor cells in Natalie's marrow, which is what we all want! We just need the final report to confirm that. We are also waiting for the final reports to confirm there are no leukemia cells in her marrow. Please continue to pray for those reports to show good news and those counts to go up. Counts are still at 0.
The biggest excitement for the weekend for Natalie is that Kids Strong gave her an iPad. They want her to test it out and get her feedback on the iPad for kids in her situation at the hospital. So far, Natalie is in love with it. Sean is in love with it too. He got to play a little with it at home before we gave it to Natalie. He understands though that Natalie needs it more than he does right now because she is stuck at the hospital. The only bad thing Natalie has to say about the iPad is that it is a little slow due to the WiFi here at the hospital. She can't wait to take it home and really see it in action. She will write up her own report on it and submit to Kids Strong herself.
The biggest excitement for the weekend for Natalie is that Kids Strong gave her an iPad. They want her to test it out and get her feedback on the iPad for kids in her situation at the hospital. So far, Natalie is in love with it. Sean is in love with it too. He got to play a little with it at home before we gave it to Natalie. He understands though that Natalie needs it more than he does right now because she is stuck at the hospital. The only bad thing Natalie has to say about the iPad is that it is a little slow due to the WiFi here at the hospital. She can't wait to take it home and really see it in action. She will write up her own report on it and submit to Kids Strong herself.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Day 29
The biopsy procedure went really well yesterday. It was a little bit exciting for Natalie to be able to leave her room. However, she did wish it was for something fun instead of a biopsy. They covered her entire body and Elley (her elephant) with a white sheet to protect both from germs so she couldn't see anything. She did hear people saying, "Hi Natalie" to her as they rolled her down to the surgery floor. She woke up pretty quickly from the biopsy and did not have any pain from the procedure. We were grateful for that.
It also made Natalie's day to get a taste of Hawaii from an old family friend, the Changs. They brought us macademia nuts and beautiful cookies from Hawaii, along with tons of other gifts. The cookies were all individually wrapped which made them perfect for Natalie to eat. Thank you Arleen and Spencer!
We are just waiting for the results now and praying that we see donor's DNA in her marrow. Also, praying for those stubborn counts to go up.
It also made Natalie's day to get a taste of Hawaii from an old family friend, the Changs. They brought us macademia nuts and beautiful cookies from Hawaii, along with tons of other gifts. The cookies were all individually wrapped which made them perfect for Natalie to eat. Thank you Arleen and Spencer!
We are just waiting for the results now and praying that we see donor's DNA in her marrow. Also, praying for those stubborn counts to go up.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Biopsy Today
Today is Day 28. Natalie woke up at 6 am wanting to know what her counts are. She woke me up as she was talking to her nurse. We both really wanted good news that her counts are here. We're sad because they are still at 0. She is heading into her biopsy in a few minutes.
It's really hard. We're tired, discouraged, and sad. Have to pick ourselves up and keep going in this battle. I have to keep putting our hearts out there for prayers because we love Natalie too much to quit and mope.
Please pray biopsy goes well and the results are great. We want to see the donor's DNA in Natalie's marrow.
It's really hard. We're tired, discouraged, and sad. Have to pick ourselves up and keep going in this battle. I have to keep putting our hearts out there for prayers because we love Natalie too much to quit and mope.
Please pray biopsy goes well and the results are great. We want to see the donor's DNA in Natalie's marrow.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Day 27
Biopsy is scheduled for 9:00 am tomorrow. We will know for sure around 6 am if Natalie needs to get it done. Counts are still not moving. She needs to have at least 3 or higher count to not have to do the biopsy.
Please pray for us! I will let you all know tomorrow morning. If we do have to do the biopsy please pray the procedure goes really well and they can see the donor's DNA in Natalie's marrow. We are all not looking forward to it because Natalie has never had to do a biopsy with counts being at 0.
Please pray for us! I will let you all know tomorrow morning. If we do have to do the biopsy please pray the procedure goes really well and they can see the donor's DNA in Natalie's marrow. We are all not looking forward to it because Natalie has never had to do a biopsy with counts being at 0.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Day 26
Natalie got up at 6 am this morning full of energy. She quietly played her DS until I woke up. I realized her counts were still 0 because the nurse would've rushed into the room to tell me the good if her counts were up. I didn't even ask and just started my day trying not to fixate on that. Natalie and I sewed together and watched tv. She didn't feel like having any visitors today, except Yolanda managed to sneak in. Natalie was okay with that because Yolanda makes her laugh and she likes giving Yolanda a hard time.
She was ready and waiting for the doctor to come in today. This is a first since she dreads the daily examinations. They didn't come in until 1:30 and the first thing out of Natalie's mouth was, "Why are you so late today?" I think she was curious to know what they were going to do about her counts not going up. She wanted to know Plan B and Plan C, if any.
We are really hoping and praying we never have to execute Plan B because Plan A is working even if we don't see the cells growing yet. Still at zero, but we know so many people are praying. There is always magic when that happens.
She was ready and waiting for the doctor to come in today. This is a first since she dreads the daily examinations. They didn't come in until 1:30 and the first thing out of Natalie's mouth was, "Why are you so late today?" I think she was curious to know what they were going to do about her counts not going up. She wanted to know Plan B and Plan C, if any.
We are really hoping and praying we never have to execute Plan B because Plan A is working even if we don't see the cells growing yet. Still at zero, but we know so many people are praying. There is always magic when that happens.
Days 24 and 25
Hi Everybody-
We really need everyone to pray really hard for Natalie's counts to go up tomorrow or the next day. She's still at nothing, which is worrisome. The doctors say if she is still at 0 on Thursday, they will need to do a biopsy to see why her new cells are not growing.
It makes me sick to my stomache to think that something could be wrong and her new cells are having problems grafting into her body. Trying to stay positive, but this waiting and waiting is so hard!
Tonight, Sean and Natalie were talking on the phone to each other. It was really cute to hear their conversation. Sean wants Natalie home soon and so do we.
We really need everyone to pray really hard for Natalie's counts to go up tomorrow or the next day. She's still at nothing, which is worrisome. The doctors say if she is still at 0 on Thursday, they will need to do a biopsy to see why her new cells are not growing.
It makes me sick to my stomache to think that something could be wrong and her new cells are having problems grafting into her body. Trying to stay positive, but this waiting and waiting is so hard!
Tonight, Sean and Natalie were talking on the phone to each other. It was really cute to hear their conversation. Sean wants Natalie home soon and so do we.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
