When it rains.....

Christi was asleep by 7:00 PM (very unusual for the child that stays up reading at night much later than Shayne and I possibly can). I was sound asleep with Shayla when I heard Christi calling for me at 2:45 AM. Neither one of us slept much after that. Her mouth sores are causing so much mouth and throat pain. Her eyes are hurting her too. Finally at 5:45 AM, I told her I'd send Daddy in to cuddle while I took a shower because we had to get to the hospital soon and hopefully they'd make her feel better. I showed Shayne where Shayla's clothes were set out and I took off for the hospital with Christi knowing Christi's teacher would be taking Shayla to school for us today.

Arriving at the hospital, she was close to having a fever. (I'm still hoping we're going to somehow avoid that dreaded fever which will require about a week's hospitalization - somewhere.) A sweet Angel at Mercy had driven up to Toledo last night so that her platlets would be ready for her this morning. (Amazing volunteers! We praise Him!!) THANK YOU precious blood donors for saving our daughter's life with your priceless gift of blood!!

She was able to receive both platelets and whole red blood cells in less than seven hours. Yahoo! (Incredible nurses and staff! Thanks, Doug and all!) She did spike a fever during the process, but it didn't go over 100.4 which is what it was when we left for home. Her eyes were hurting in addition to her mouth sores so she just wanted me to read to her the entire time, so I did. We finished one book and have just three chapters left of "Lunch Money" by Andrew Clements. Shayne, much to my delight, suprised us by popping in for a little bit.

Soon afterward I received a text message from him. "Shayla threw up at school. They sent her to Shari's." Oh, no!!!! Poor Shayla!!!! I had no idea anything was wrong with her and of course my mind raced to Christi's current inability to fight off infection and yet knew I had to get her out of Shari's home before her kids came home from school. Darn this beast! Thankfully, it was Grandma Nee Nee to the rescue!! She picked up Shayla at Shari's and is taking her to her condo so that the girls will be separated. My heart breaks for Shayla!

Currently, Christi isn't feeling the best but she's interested in watching cartoons now - so I thought I'd put up a quick update and say thank you for your love and prayers! We'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm still hopeful about returning to school, but time will tell.

GOOD NEWS: I can't feel any "bumpity bumps" on her forehead or her jaw today. Praise God! Her head was hurting so much I couldn't let my hand wander to the top of her head, but maybe I'll check later. I'm hoping she'll be one of the 60% of kids who will have this chemo work for 2-14 months - oh, how about 18 months, dear Lord?!!!

Photo: Wrapped in hugs! (Christi's delightful art teacher delivered a lovely and colorful "hug" from all of the kids at her school. Precious!)

Photo: Daddy stopped by a read a couple of chapters during his lunch break today.