Ally updates ~~ please read from bottom to top

Ally is currently hooked up to: TPN, Morphine, lots of antibiotics throughout the day and IV fluids.

Ally's counts are moving up!!!


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 01:32 PM, EDT

Here is a bit of math for you all:

Ally's white blood cell counts (which are used to calculate ANC) have been as follows:
Thursday = 0.18
Friday = 0.27
Saturday = 0.52

Her numbers are on their way up. She has to have an ANC of 500 or more for 3 days in a row to get home. (Her white blood cell count is still too low to calculate an ANC.) Also, she has to show she will eat, so she needs to start weaning off the TPN. She needs to start weaning off the morphine, and all of her meds need to be changed to oral. These could all take a while, so even if her ANC reaches the goal, she may be stuck at the hospital for a bit longer. But, there is an end in sight!

I spoke with her and Daddy over skype this morning. Ally is all about reading her books, wearing gloves and playing with medical equipment. She was very interactive with me as well....wanting me to smell stinky feet and flowers! Stupid Cold, wish I could be there!

Late Breaking News: ANC = 90
6922


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 05:51 PM, EDT

Ally has had a super duper day. She has been active, lots of smiles and playful! She actually interacted with me on the webcam...first time in a couple of weeks! She made me smell her stinky foot over and over, and then Oscar's stinky foot.

Her counts are low still, but we are crossing our fingers they will be going up, up, up! (It is day plus 10...she is a little bit behind where she was at this time during her first transplant, as expected)

I am still sick, but have lots of remedies to try! Hoping to make it o Boston for next weekend...but I already have to take a 1/2 day off work for a dentist appointment on Tuesday, so I am not sure about taking another day off to go to Boston early.


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 08:05 PM, EDT

Ally is doing better today. Each day she is showing more and more energy. Her actual counts have gone up and down the past few days...the docs say her white blood cells are headed toward her mouth to heal those sores. They must be working because she is no longer making a fuss for her oral meds (they have to be oral...no IV version...Vitamin E and Ursadile...both to help protect her liver).

Ally is taking long naps in the middle of the day (when her visitors come) but otherwise semi-active and in a good mood. She does not care for the physical therapy people though. Oh Well.

She LOVES all the cards and little gifts she is getting in the mail...thanks to every one who is thinking about her!

My sore throat has blossomed into a full fledge cold. I am now hoping to make it there for NEXT weekend....in the past it has taken me about 3 weeks to get rid of these things. GRRRRRR! Anyone know of a SUPER DUPER knock you out medicine for the common cold?


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 03:18 PM, EDT

When we were chatting with the doctors they told us (we sort of already knew) that we would be able to tell when her counts were ready to come up by her behavior and activity level. Based on how she has been so far today...it looks like any day now labs should show counts on their way up! I hope I didn't just jinx her.

On a sad note, I have a sore throat. Nothing too serious, but I will not be allowed to visit Ally until it is 100% gone. It looks like I won't be able to see her at all this weekend :-(