Update from Elaine
It's been quiet on the blog for the last week or so, as we've taken a break from daily updates during this time of respite in between treatments. We have enjoyed being together as a family and are feeling caught up on our rest and ready for the next phase of the journey. Last Tuesday, Kate's blood work showed a platelet count of 60 up from the previous Thursday when the count was 29 and she received a platelet transfusion. The platelet count reflects that Kate's body has begun to produce platelets on its own. Today (Monday, Feb. 12th) we will do blood counts and see if the platelets have reached 100 so that she can be admitted for chemo and stem cell rescue #2. Once those counts are in, Kate's oncologist and the stem cell team will determine if and when she will be admitted this week.
It is been an absolutely wonderful week - filled with praises and so many good things! Kate and I reflected on the week last night and all the joy and special things the week brought with it.
~Because of extremely cold temperatures, school was canceled on Monday and Tuesday. We considered this a gift, in that we had Maggie at home with us for two days and enjoyed just being together. We even got out and went to a movie and did a little shopping at the mall.
~We are thankful for answered prayer for Kate's renewed strength and energy, as well as victory in the area of nausea.
Kate was able to resume a much more normal schedule and with the exception of one episode was free of vomiting.
She met with all her home bound teachers and shared with me that she very much wants to try and keep up with school work the best she can, so she can complete her junior year and be ready for her senior year with her classmates. Kate is very self- motivated and from her days of being home schooled in China, is a very independent learner. She looks forward to her home bound sessions, because she enjoys her teachers so much.
~The high light of Kate's week was buying a prom dress. We were planning on "just looking" to see what styles Kate liked. We went of course in the middle of the day, to avoid crowds/concentration of germs and had the store to ourselves. The staff of the store was so gracious and kind to Kate and could not have been accommodating. She had so much fun trying on dresses and amazingly did not tire out. Her eyes and face lit up with such joy when as she put it "she found the dress of her dreams":) This moment brought tears of happiness to me. She looked as beautiful in the dress with her wig off, as she did with the wig on. It was such a fun and special afternoon together as mother and daughter.
~Kate really wanted to go to the last basketball game of the season, but we determined that size of a crowd was a little too big of a risk for Kate being exposed to germs. Instead she settled for getting together with small group of friends after the game.
~Any outing... grocery store, the mall, the movies, Kate must where a face mask to protect from germs. On Saturday night she attended church with her mask, sat in the back and had to turn away hugs, but it was good to be in worship again. After church some friends from Kate's youth small group came over to hang out, laugh and have fun.
~Praise for an amazing week of feeling NORMAL!!
~Saturday and Sunday Maggie woke up in the night with abdominal pain that caused her to double over. She had no other symptoms than abdominal pain. After a visit with the pediatrician and trip to the hospital, the cause of the pain was identified and was in actuality resolving itself those two nights when the pain was so significant. BIG praise that this health issue was resolvable and required no other intervention.
~Sunday afternoon, we were joined by extended family for lunch at Texas Road House (you'll recall on a previous update, that Kate asked special permission to eat out at this restaurant prior to her next admission). We were surprised when earlier this week we received an email from one of the managers of the Texas Road House in our area telling us that a friend of ours had told her about how much Kate loved to eat at Texas Road House. In her email the manager extended an invitation to Kate, Maggie and me for a complimentary dinner for 3!! Wow! We continue to marvel at how not just close friends and family, but the community at large has expressed their support and encouragement to us on this journey. Special thanks to Texas Road House for their gracious gift of fabulous meals!!
~Maggie makes her debut this weekend in the high school performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat". Can't wait to see our drama princess on stage.
As you can see it has been an incredible week of blessing and joy! We are grateful for your prayers and God's grace and mercy in answering the requests you have carried before Him on Kate's behalf. As we begin looking ahead, please ask that stem cell rescue #2 will go as smoothly as the first one, but that the recovery will be smoother and free of some of the hindrances we encountered the first time that caused Kate's hospital stay to be so long.
We will update when we hear back on Kate's counts and the doctors determine the timing and game plan for Kate's next admission.
Celebrating grace,
Elaine
It is been an absolutely wonderful week - filled with praises and so many good things! Kate and I reflected on the week last night and all the joy and special things the week brought with it.
~Because of extremely cold temperatures, school was canceled on Monday and Tuesday. We considered this a gift, in that we had Maggie at home with us for two days and enjoyed just being together. We even got out and went to a movie and did a little shopping at the mall.
~We are thankful for answered prayer for Kate's renewed strength and energy, as well as victory in the area of nausea.
Kate was able to resume a much more normal schedule and with the exception of one episode was free of vomiting.
She met with all her home bound teachers and shared with me that she very much wants to try and keep up with school work the best she can, so she can complete her junior year and be ready for her senior year with her classmates. Kate is very self- motivated and from her days of being home schooled in China, is a very independent learner. She looks forward to her home bound sessions, because she enjoys her teachers so much.
~The high light of Kate's week was buying a prom dress. We were planning on "just looking" to see what styles Kate liked. We went of course in the middle of the day, to avoid crowds/concentration of germs and had the store to ourselves. The staff of the store was so gracious and kind to Kate and could not have been accommodating. She had so much fun trying on dresses and amazingly did not tire out. Her eyes and face lit up with such joy when as she put it "she found the dress of her dreams":) This moment brought tears of happiness to me. She looked as beautiful in the dress with her wig off, as she did with the wig on. It was such a fun and special afternoon together as mother and daughter.
~Kate really wanted to go to the last basketball game of the season, but we determined that size of a crowd was a little too big of a risk for Kate being exposed to germs. Instead she settled for getting together with small group of friends after the game.
~Any outing... grocery store, the mall, the movies, Kate must where a face mask to protect from germs. On Saturday night she attended church with her mask, sat in the back and had to turn away hugs, but it was good to be in worship again. After church some friends from Kate's youth small group came over to hang out, laugh and have fun.
~Praise for an amazing week of feeling NORMAL!!
~Saturday and Sunday Maggie woke up in the night with abdominal pain that caused her to double over. She had no other symptoms than abdominal pain. After a visit with the pediatrician and trip to the hospital, the cause of the pain was identified and was in actuality resolving itself those two nights when the pain was so significant. BIG praise that this health issue was resolvable and required no other intervention.
~Sunday afternoon, we were joined by extended family for lunch at Texas Road House (you'll recall on a previous update, that Kate asked special permission to eat out at this restaurant prior to her next admission). We were surprised when earlier this week we received an email from one of the managers of the Texas Road House in our area telling us that a friend of ours had told her about how much Kate loved to eat at Texas Road House. In her email the manager extended an invitation to Kate, Maggie and me for a complimentary dinner for 3!! Wow! We continue to marvel at how not just close friends and family, but the community at large has expressed their support and encouragement to us on this journey. Special thanks to Texas Road House for their gracious gift of fabulous meals!!
~Maggie makes her debut this weekend in the high school performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat". Can't wait to see our drama princess on stage.
As you can see it has been an incredible week of blessing and joy! We are grateful for your prayers and God's grace and mercy in answering the requests you have carried before Him on Kate's behalf. As we begin looking ahead, please ask that stem cell rescue #2 will go as smoothly as the first one, but that the recovery will be smoother and free of some of the hindrances we encountered the first time that caused Kate's hospital stay to be so long.
We will update when we hear back on Kate's counts and the doctors determine the timing and game plan for Kate's next admission.
Celebrating grace,
Elaine
posted by Tracy @ 3:35 PM
1 Comments:
At 11:09 AM,
Anonymous said…
We're thankful for the good things you've enjoyed this week. We're praying for many good weeks to come.
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