#HealingForHaylie-Post 74

Haylie update - Dec 22

Just wanted to give another update on how things are going this round. I’m so happy to report that she is doing so much better! The first week of delayed intensification really kicked us in the teeth. We found out that it was actually the steroids that were making her feel just awful. She was on them for 7 days and off for 7 days. By the end of the 7 days off she was feeling almost back to normal and getting her energy back. She was also sleeping through the night again which was an incredible blessing for both of us. She had to go back in for more chemo meds on Friday, vincristine and doxorubicin. The doctors have told us that her hair would all fall out again after the first dose, but she just had the third dose and it hasn’t fallen out yet. Yay! She told me all she wanted for Christmas this year was her hair. I know we still have a few days until Christmas, but I really think she will keep her hair for Christmas. It just might be our Christmas miracle this year. 

We got her labs back on Friday, and they weren’t quite what we were hoping for. Her levels have began to drop with all the chemo. On Monday, her ANC was over 2200. Yesterday, they had dropped to 720. We figured they have been dropping about 300 points a day. If she drops below 500 she is considered at risk and we aren’t allowed to go out in public again. So we will be home bound until her levels come back up. Her doctor ok’d her going to her friends party but told us no where else. We left the hospital and were able to make it to her sweet friend Morgan’s Christmas party where she was able to see her so many of her friends. It made her day! She was so determined to make it to that party, even though she felt awful and nauseous after her chemo. It’s amazing what you can will your body to do.

Well, we kind of broke the rules of staying home today since she was feeling so good. We drove to my Aunt Melloy’s Christmas party and we were able to see all my cousins that I haven’t seen in so long. It felt like Christmas again. It was good for the soul. Sometimes I think the reward we get from being around friends and loved ones helps more than the risk we take to be there.

On Friday, she also started the steroids again. We were expecting to get knocked down pretty hard again, but so far she is doing great. We are praying the next 6 days go just as well as she continues the steroids. We are thankful that this will be the last time she must take this high of a dose in her treatment. The steroids are designed to get her blood and ANC levels up. Praying they do their job without the side effects this time. She continues to amaze me everyday. I included some pictures of touching moments this week. I love Brennen giving her a hug goodnight to make her feel better and Peanut snuggled next to her in bed. Those two are inseparable.

Thanks for all the continued prayers. Love you all.
#HealingForHaylie

Taking it like a champ.

Getting chemo...

About to get her port accessed.

Christmas party!

Getting sweet hugs from Brennen to make her feel better.

Found Haylie and Peanut both asleep.