Unfortunately Katelyn has had a fever for the last few days. It came on Saturday and is still going strong. It's peaking at 102'ish. We can give her tylenol, which quiets it for about 6-8 hours, then it comes right back. She has a bacterial infection again, and is on antibiotics for that. We aren't sure if the fever and infection are related yet. If they are, the antibiotics should kill it and we hope she will start feeling better. If the fever doesn't subside by tomorrow the doctor will order an echo, ct scan, and some other tests. We hope it doesn't come to that and she can fight this off on her own.
Her sleep patterns have been completely off because of the fever and up in medications. Last night she woke up at 3am and didn't go back to sleep until 6am. She wanted to play, watch tv, color, paint, walk, fly... if she can say it, she wanted to do it. Of course I spent those three hours trying to convince her to go to sleep. At one point she climbed off my bed and started walking around the room, I watched but acted like I was sleeping, finally she starts stomping her feet running around saying "Happy! Happy! Happy!". She does "Happy Feet" for the nurses and patients... anyone who asks her to do happy feet, she stomps her adorable little feet and runs around. It is so cute. She is incredible. From 3-6 she was happy, talking sweet, giving hugs and kisses, and didn't even throw a fit when I kept telling her she couldn't do things. She would just counter my "it's night night time" with another suggestion. Finally, around 6 she nodded off.
We love to color, read, dance, paint, stack blocks, push our baby in the stroller, feed her, burp her, rock her, wrap her (in her blankie). Katelyn is growing and changing so much, it is amazing to watch. It's difficult knowing that she'll be here for many more months. It's saddening.
The doctor came in today, and after talking about our current battle with the fever and bacterial infection we talked timeline again. He also thinks that unless the new baby is a match the risks outway the benefits of the stem-cell transplant. Without the stem-cell transplant she will have additional chemo, two or three rounds, which will land us here two or three more months. With the stem-cell transplant (I misunderstood the other doctor) she will not need more chemo immediately, but will also be in the hospital for a couple months while they track her cells and the success of the transplant. Our original hope to take Kate home sometime in March is no longer an option. We just hope we might be able to get her healthy and home before her second birthday! Todd and I have even more to talk about and figure out. This is going to be even more of a balancing act when the new baby is here. I'm sure we can do it, I know we will find strength through God, prayer, family and friends.
On a positive note, Kate is starting to make platelats again! After her last round of chemo, her platelat count came up, and everything else followed within a few weeks. This is great, her body is starting to produce cells again. We will have to wait awhile longer, for her ANC to come up, but we hope that the next bone marrow aspiration will show us a lot of healthy cells! Most of all we hope that Kate is in remission! Please pray for that!
I had a sonogram today, the baby looks great! I am 30 weeks and the baby weighs 3lbs 2oz. Everything looks good, and the baby is very active. While we were looking at the baby's face s/he was opening and closing its mouth, sticking out its tongue, covering its face with their little arms. I had a huge smile on my face and am so grateful to have such an active little baby inside me! ( I don't like to refer to the baby as an "it" but I have no idea how else to say it ).
Todd is doing well. He gets stircrazy here, but manages to stay distracted when he can. I'm not sure if I mentioned in a previous post, but we met the CEO/President of Sharp Hospital a few weeks ago. Todd and Mike really hit it off, and Mike offered his help in getting Todd going with his nursing career. We're in talks with them about where to start and what resources they have to offer. It is a blessing to have met Mike, and to have his assistance. We hope to have Todd in the field soon. I'll update on that as soon as we know more and are making progress.
Thank you to everyone for checking in, praying, and being there for us. We couldn't get through this without all of you.
Love,
Krystal
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Very happy for Todd. Kate is in my thoughts, as always, and I will be sending her energy so that she may ring in the new year fever free and in remission. Sending you strength as well. Your courage has been astounding.
Bravo to you, little family! These are amazing blogs to read Krystal, you have a gift of expression. Looking forward to that call back (Todd!) on when we can take you guys out for an evening dinner (w/ Grammy Linda too!) I am happy to hear that Mike Murphy has taken a personal interest in you (what's not to love?) He is one person in a position of making great things happen for you at Sharp. I will look forward to accomodating you as extern at Sharp, as well as working with you, should you decide on ER medicine.
You are in our family's thoughts and prayers daily. May His love continue to shine upon you as it is so reflected in your words, and may you have a 'Happy, happy, happy' and blessed 2009. By the way things are looking, I can't imagine any other way to go but up, up, up! Love, Jenny, Rusty and gang
Post a Comment