Praying We Go Home Soon

Christi continues to feel very well and her only complaint is, "I'm bored." Today's blood counts showed a very slight increase in her white count, 0.1 to 0.2 and that was enough for me to push to get us out of here! The oncologist didn't exactly give me his blessings (actually I think I heard the word "dangerous" again) but he did say that if I signed a paper saying I was willing to accept the risks I could take her home tomorrow even though she remains neutripenic (no immune system). That was all I needed to hear! He said they'd transfuse her platelets in the middle of the night so we could fly home bright and early! Whew! She received a blood transfusion today and working with Mrs. Smith on a poem for their class's booklet. (They also did a science project with nail polish remover which actually took some wax off of the floor, but hey - all in the name of science I guess.)

After the oncologist left this morning I went to tell Mrs. Smith and good news and then to call Rich to see if he could really come and fly us home tomorrow. I told Christi not to get her hopes up, but to wait until Mr. Traunero called us back. When she learned that he'd be at the airport at in Philly at 8:30 AM, we were all so happy!

Too bad that was short lived! After Mrs. Smith left to go back to the Ronald House for the evening, this morning's oncologist came in and told me he received an email back from Dr. Maris which said "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" when he asked Dr. Maris if we could leave or not tomorrow. I pointed to our luggage and told the oncologist that I just checked out of the Ronald House and we had a flight home int he morning. He wanted to talk so I called Shayne and let Shayne listen to him; I was too crushed and didn't want to cry in front of him!

Bottom line is she just went through a stem-cell transplant. She has no immune system on top of nearly four years of straight cancer treatment. We do not know if her stem cells are even engrafting yet. She's far from being out of the woods and taking her home before she has a strong white count for days could put her in grave danger. He admitted that looking at how she's acting and feeling, she appears to be fine; however, her blood count numbers do not support that at all and things can change so quickly. After he left I spoke with Shayne and when he said, "Forever is a long time to live with the guilt that we took her home and she didn't make it," so I agreed to stay (one more day, but I'll wait until tomorrow's "discussion with Dr. Maris" to let you know how that goes, smile).

Shayla is having a grand time at the Grant's and Mrs. Grant told me that she thinks Shayla would like to stay another night. Well that worked out perfectly as Debbie kindly agreed to bring Shayla back into the city tomorrow. I'm glad Shayla has made some great friends and for "strangers turned friends" who have helped us along this journey.

Mrs. Smith needs to get home and Shayla needs to get back for her dance recital practices so I just booked their flights back home on Monday morning. My Mom will pick them up at the airport and I will greatly miss them both. It has been a Godsend to have Caroline here this week and Shayla has been treated to some fun things as a result!

I do not know if Christ is going to make her lemonade stand and her ballet recital at the Ritz theatre next weekend, but I do know God is good and He will see us through just as He poured out the lovely weather for Christi's Poker Run today! From my understanding over 150 motorcycles showed up! Wow! Shayne called so Christi could listen to the very loud roar they all made going down the road together toward "Fathead's Restaurant" as Shayne stood by the roadside, waved and held his phone up for Christi to listen to. (She loved it!) I'm certain Shayne will update about it soon, but right now he's exhausted!

Blood Counts:
8.2 hgb (transfused today)
30 platelets
0.2 white count
0 ANC (still no immune system, but I really believe it'll happen in the next few days. Meanwhile, we'll pray and do the white cell dance!)

FRIDAY, JUNE 9th (11AM - 2PM) "Sip Lemonade and Take A Sweet Stand Against Cancer!" Christi & Alex's 3rd annual Lemonade Stand raising money for pediatric cancer research one cup at a time. OLD FORT BANK - WESTGATE OFFICE, Tiffin (across from McDonalds) FREMONT LOCATION: Walmart (Thanks, Jennifer!)