Sept 15

We had appointments Monday at Seattle Children's.  We arrived at 7:30am, accessing and blood draw at 8am then doctor's visit at 9am.  Madelyn was not able to eat that morning as she was scheduled for a spinal tap at 10am.  However, when we arrived at Children's Madelyn starting acting extremely tired.  As soon as we arrived they put us in a room.  After accessing she fell asleep on the exam table.  This is very unusual for Madelyn and her doctor noticed it.


Her blood counts came back with elevated white blood cells.  This is an indication that she might be coming down with a something as her immune system is "ramping up" to fight something off.  (Our white blood cells basically "gobble up" infection/germs...).  The way she was acting seemed to indicate that too...


She has continued to be a little off this week, but no major sickness has manifested.  It might be just a small virus, but Madelyn's immune system is suppressed so she feels it.


Hem 39.7    Plat 244    WBC 5.2    ANC 3557


Her spinal tap was canceled and will be rescheduled for four weeks from now.  As soon as she ate she started to perk up so low blood sugar might have played a part as well.  She still wanted to go to swimming lessons, but didn't have her usual energy and was a bit cranky.


She went to school the next day, but was asleep by 5:45pm that night.  Today, Thursday, she didn't get to school until noon.  She slept all morning.  


She still had her Vincristine (chemo) infusion and has started her pulse of steroids.  So we are seeing the emotional roller coasters...


Before I get to the images from the last week.... MORE BIG NEWS!!!  MADELYN LOST HER FIRST TOOTH!!!  And let me tell you she was excited.  I was told to text Amy and Pat, Janet and Mathew and Luke and all the Grandparents right away.  In true Madelyn fashion, she was eating a piece of cauliflower when it came out.

Asleep on the exam table.

Waking up when the doctor came in...

This is a wall in Oncology... just a fraction of the kids being treated there.  I think there should be a national "Hug a Pediatric Oncology Doctor or Nurse" Day.  Talk about one of the hardest jobs emotionally...

"Oh Mommy!  Check out that Giraffe!  Can we have it?"  Ummm... that would be No.

Checking out a painting in one of the hospital hallways.

Since her spinal tap was canceled we had a little waiting to do for swimming...

When Sophia comes with us, one of us goes in the pool with her so she can splash around too.

 

First day of school 2011.  Sophia is so proud to be going to school with sister.  There is no one better - in the whole wide world - than Madelyn.

Waiting outside to be brought in.  So excited.