Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Check It Out



Here are the highlights from a very peaceful yet worrisome Christmas day:
  • We were up at the usual 6am but by 7am I couldn't stand it anymore and made her open presents. What is wrong with this child that opening presents wasn't the first thing on her mind in the morning???
  • Every gift opened would elicit a "wow" response...even just for the box
  • I don't know where she picked it up but with every gift she would also say "check it out." I got it on video but par for the course, we ran out of tape after about 5 minutes.
  • Like a typical 2 year old, she wanted to play with each toy as she opened it.
  • She continues to be very fastidious and as she tore off even the tiniest piece of wrapping paper, she handed it to one of us to put in a garbage bag. This must be done prior to any additional unwrapping.
  • It took Jeff and I another hour to put together all of her new toys. I don't mind since I am just as excited as Lillian to have new toys to play with.
  • Exhausted by 10am, Lillian took her first of two naps. The second was at 5pm despite our concerns about bedtime disruption. Sure enough, we couldn't get her down for bed until 10:30pm.


The worrisome part is that her platelets and red blood cells are clearly low. (Platelets are what help blood to clot.) The slightest bump causes an immediate bruise and a cut on her lip has turned into a major blood blister. The nurse assures us that this is normal with low counts and feels that the transfusions can wait until our clinic appointment tomorrow. I appreciate the reassurance but each new bruise or bump still makes me nervous.

Lillian has a MRI tomorrow morning prior to her clinic appointment. This is to verify that the tumor is not visible since they resected it completely. This requires sedation which should be simple since the can administer it through her central line. Please pray for positive results! We then head to clinic where she'll have her usual outpatient chemotherapy in addition to the anticipated transfusions. Thursday she has yet another kidney test. This one requires a poke followed after 2 hours by three blood draws 1/2 hour apart. The toughest part of this test is typically the waiting (and the poke of course). Please pray that for endurance and creativity as we entertain her for most of a day in the waiting room.



I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for your continued prayers, comments and support.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Harris family, Know that we'll be thinking of you and praying extra hard through all those procedures today. The thought of all that our sweet Lillian is having to endure is tough, but I just know that she's going to be okay. I'm hanging on to that --picturing her all healthy with blonde? curly hair! --Love, Nana and Papa

The Tucson Gang said...

Hang in there gang...it will be a relief today to be at the hospital with the professionals handling things. It must be really tough to have to worry about every little bump and bruise...I'm so thrilled that you guys were home for Christmas...Yeah!

We're thinking about you guys today and tomorrow - and hope that things go smoothly and easily for Lillian and for you and Jeff.
Love you guys - The Tucson crew...

Anonymous said...

Hi there...I am so glad for your nice quiet Christmas at home with the added entertainment 'checking out' all the gifts. Hopefully Santa left enough entertainment to withstand the waiting room today! I will be thinking about you guys extra hard today and hoping for smooth procedures! Love, Michelle

Anonymous said...

Well, at least we know she's just as thorough as her mom! I can just see Lori pulling all the tape off a box as a child......or an adult really!
Glad to hear you didn't have to spend Christmas with ched, although I'm sure he missed you....
Fingers crossed on the procedures today!
take care -
Garren

Anonymous said...

Once again you all amaze me! You could give us all a lesson in patience and understanding. We are keeping Lillian and both of you in our prayers. She's a tough little girl and you all will get through this.

Thinking of you always,
Paula and Tom