Reason to Rejoice!

This morning we are rejoicing around here for several reasons. Ashley has completed her scheduled wean off of the ativan and methadone drugs that had to be used to help her slowly withdraw from the medications that kept her sedated on the ventilator. She has been on them since the day of her cardiac arrest back in January. We are so happy for her that she no longer requires any of these narcotics. What a blessing.

This morning I also rejoice knowing that this week begins cycle 3 of her chemo therapy. That means we will be half way done at the end of this cycle. She also no longer requires the drug rituximab as part of the her therapy to kill the cancer. She has had all six of her infusions and will no longer have to be infused for over 8 hours at a time. This weeks cycle will consist of a one hour infusion given at Children's in Dallas to be followed with 5 days of the high dose of steroids. Then she will have the last 2 weeks of the cycle free from any type of chemo therapy drug. This is a true turning point in her therapy to kill the cancer. I am so excited for her. She is one tough pickle and she is working hard to rid her body of those invading cells.

More reason to rejoice, she has now added peas to her list of yummy foods she eats by mouth. I know its nothing like an Oreo, but to Ash anything that comes toward her in a spoon might as well be chocolate cake. She has successfully eaten green beans, peas, and turkey. Yeah, Ash. Before long she will be having steak with her dad on their first date night. I can't wait!

I spent some time on the phone this morning with our transplant coordinator out of Omaha and we discussed the rise in Ashley's liver enzymes. The decision has been made to just monitor for another week or two. If they continue climbing then Dave and I feel as though we would like for the original team in Omaha to do the liver biopsy if it comes to that. We of course are just praying for protection of her organs and for the numbers to begin falling back into range. I hope to avoid any surgery or procedure that causes us to go into her new organs.

Outside of her climbing liver numbers I think Ash looks really good today. She is napping on a pallet in the living room and has had a really good morning. She struggled with a couple of tough days after her chemo this time, but it looks like it has passed for now. We expect another drop in her white count sometime this week which will cause us all to take even more precautions around her, but except for that I am looking forward to a good week with our little one.

I am actually working in the office with Dave today while the grandma's hang out with Ash. It has been really nice to be able to help him out this morning and I have had the opportunity to visit with some of our wonderful patients who have been praying for our baby for months. How blessed we are to have such patients come to us who are willing to love on our baby and our family. We are truly thankful for them all.

Thank you guys for continuing to follow our Ashley's story. We are blessed by your presence, your comments, your encouragements, and your prayers. Take care and God bless you today. Trish