October 12, 2016

Prayer for the day: That her chemo will drop her extremely high white blood cell count as soon as possible. Ashtyn is in need of a RBC transfusion and can't receive it until her WBC's go down a bit. A decrease in WBC's is also indicative that the chemo is doing its job.

October 12, 2016

Tuesday came and went quickly! Ashtyn started the day early with a fever where blood cultures were done and antibiotics were started. She had an ultrasound of her neck veins to prepare for the surgery she had at 9:45 a.m. to place a Broviac central line. Once in the OR she was very nervous. A med called versed helped that out and the surgery went great. Visitors kept her company during the day and her spirits have remained high. After our outstanding doctor, Luke Maese, researched literature and consulted doctors across the country for countless hours, he felt comfortable with the decision to start the 22 day chemotherapy regimen Ashtyn took 3 1/2 years ago that got her into remission. Her first doses of chemo were given last night at 6:00 p.m. She handled it no problem. Ashtyn gets tearful from time to time but she is a rock. There is a very noticeable difference in how she is handling this diagnoses from how she responded last time. When she was 12, she was so overwhelmed by everything. Doctors, nurses, and staff. She couldn't handle visitors or even FaceTimeing her siblings. This go round, this girl is on fire. She knows and loves the hospital staff. We are staying in the same room as when she had her last BMT and feels comfortable there. She loves visitors and social communication. She's finding strength and happiness from the support of others.