Our incredible daughter

Katelyn is such a trooper. I lose track of the days in here, but somewhere around 5 days ago Kate had the 102 temp, and a bacterial infection. Today she is both fever and infection free! Yay! She was finally able to leave the room and wander the halls. She loves to socialize! -- I wonder where she gets that! She sees the nurses, whom adore her, and she's all show! I think we have a little performer of some sort on our hands. Today we walked the halls for hours and hours. I think she'll actually sleep well tonight. The lack of stimulation the last few days have really affected our night time routine. Hopefully the extra stimulation will help with her rest.

She also has an ANC! Yay! It's low, still too low for visitors, but it's something! I think it's about 150. Last time it went up and down and up and down and finally skyrocketed to above 3,000. Hopefully it stays on the rise so we can keep our momentum and keep treatment going.

Thank you to everyone for their support! The blood drive in Ramona a few weeks ago was a success, and we are so grateful! There is also a breakfast at the Julian Legion this Sunday! We are so thankful for the Carter family, as well as the Legion itself. Their support and time generocity has been unbelievable. My family are incredibly grateful! Thank You!

I'd like to put a prayer request out there for a couple of the families here in the Hem/Onc Unit. Sarah, she's around 13 years old and has a brain tumor. In September she was doing gymnastics and having a wonderful summer, after severe headaches she was taken to the hospital where they found a severely advanced tumor. Radiation only made it metasticize and spread. The doctors told them they could go home and bide their time or try chemo, which they didn't think would work.... They tried chemo, it started to work, and ultimately failed. She is here, and her family is devastated. They need all the prayers they can get to save their little girls life.

Haddie, her family is here from New Guinea. They are missionaries and have relocated here to try and save their daughters life. Haddie is also around 13 years old, she has Aplastic Anemia. Aplastic Anemia, as I understand, is strange. Her body does not make any sort of blood, no white cells, red cells or platelats. It is completely curable with a bone marrow transplant. Haddie has 9 brothers and sisters. 8 out of 9 have been tested and 3 are matches. Unfortuately, all the children that have been tested also have hepatitus (which is incredibly common in their villiage). Since Haddie has no ANC (no immune system) she cannot have an infected transplant. Haddie's oldest brother is flying in from Iraq tomorrow morning to be tested and spend time with his family. Please pray that he is both a match and hepatitus free. I believe, due to the families beliefs, they will not use an unrelated donor; therefore her older brother is possibly their last hope.

There is also Julian, somehwhere around 6 years old. He is an adorable little boy. He has ALL. The chemo is making him very sick, and is very risky for him. Please pray that his body be able to handle the chemo so he can live a healthy long life.

Khuong, he is 15 years old, and our neighbor for the last 8 weeks! He, and his family, are incredible. He has three brothers who are here all the time. They have an incredible support system. Khuong got here within days of us and received chemo a few days before Katelyn. His ANC has never risen above zero. After almost two months of waiting they were forced to start chemo again. Usually they want to wait until the ANC is over 500, but in his case it was taking too long and they were afraid the the effects of the first round would diminish if they waited any longer. I'm not sure how much longer his chemo is, but please pray that he be able to recover quickly so he can gain momentum in treatment and possibly be home for his 16th birthday in March. That is the one thing her desperately wants!

Thank You for all of your prayers!