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August 10, 2004 -- Maintenance #5 (Days 18-20) We didn't get the good news we were hoping for yesterday. Dr. Jill told me that Katie's ANC dropped from 112 Sunday to 40 on Monday. Her hemoglobin and platelets are holding and her white blood cell count went up slightly. We thought we would be inpatient for another 3 days or so. To our surprise, Katie's ANC went up to 117 today and all her other counts were on the rise. Katie's been eating and drinking a bit more. Her mouth sore are healing nicely. Katie is in good spirits. She's been sleeping much better at night. Previously she was having nightmares, probably from the fevers, but she says her dreams are "happier" now. So, with all that, Dr. Jill sent us home!!!!! It is so good to be home now. Of course Katie was very upset about leaving. She wanted to stay and craft for the rest of the day. We had to peel her out of the play room this afternoon so the nurses could "unplug her" (de-access her port). Once she got home, she was happy to see Kyle. Katie and Kyle will be isolated from kids until Katie's counts recover. The Harr household will be "crafty girls central" for at least the next week or so. I hope I can be as fun as the craft ladies (Child Life) at CHOP. It was exhausting being at CHOP. Not much to do other than whatever Katie is doing. Plus, Oncology not a very "happy" floor to be on. A lot of the kids are there for a long time (months) and other are too sick to leave there rooms. I ended up spending a lot of time thinking--which is not a good thing to do. SOOOO glad to be home and have Katie feeling better. John brought Kyle over the weekend. I thought he would be so excited to see me and Katie. Saturday, he didn't recognize me!! I was heartbroken! Sunday, after a few hours, he let me hold him. Of course he loved seeing and playing with Katie. Maybe he was angry with me for not being home. (?) He finally warmed up to me after being home for a couple of hours. I've got a week of lost time to make up to him. Thanks for all the emails, messages and cards. Keep them coming! Katie is enjoying them. I'll update again after Katie's next IV chemo appointment next week. Many, many thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. Here is Katie's ANC since last update: All meds except antibiotics being held until August 18. August 9, 2004: ANC 40. August 10, 2004: ANC 117. |
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