Update from Elaine

Kate's one word to describe today was "there". Yes, it was "there", one in which she was tired and fatigued most of the day. We also did not see the amount of progress we hoped for with the nausea. My sweet girl is understandably a bit weary of feeling bad.

At 3:00 am this morning Kate told me she was hungry... music to a mother's ears! She was able to eat about half of a single serving of cheerios. We are thankful for a little bit of an appetite, no matter what time of day it comes!

Kate's ANC count has already dropped significantly as expected. Your prayers for protection against infection are very important in these days until WBC production recovers with the help of those returning stem cells.

We learned this afternoon that Kate's next admission will be January 29th. We were a little surprised to find it would happen so soon. January 29th and 30th will be chemo, again a rest day on the 31st with transplant #2 to occur on Feburary 1st, twenty-one days after the first one. Please pray that Kate will regain her strength quickly and experience some true days of feeling good prior to the second admission.

We are still hoping that they will let us go home tomorrow (Wednesday). In preparation for Kate's homecoming some wonderful friends joined my mother in giving our house a very thorough cleaning. I call this special band of girls and one very helpful young boy "the merry maids of mercy". I am so grateful for this gracious act of service that is such a huge blessing and important help in keeping Kate's environment clean and safe for her.

Kate, Maggie and I are anxious to be back together in our home. As Kate said, I can feel bad at home, just as easily as I can at the hospital. Please pray that despite our weariness that we will wait on Father's perfect timing. Also Kate will require a bit more special care at home this time. We will probably have some assitance from a home health nurse but I will be taking on some aspects of Kate's care that are new to us. I love being able to take care of my sweet Kate. Please pray that I will grow comfortable quickly with the new things I will be doing as part of her care.

Kate and I often conclude the days here praying... "God thank you for carrying us through this day."

Carried by His grace,
Elaine