Hannah Update 11.20.08

We went to Children's Hospital today for a bloodwork check, and were excited to find out that Hannah's ANC (immunity level) has risen to 406! This is a terrific jump, considering that it was just 144 on Monday. Her platelets had dropped down to just 8,000, so she did need a platelet infusion today. We also found out when we got there that they had not properly capped her PICC line when we left the hospital on Monday, leaving it subject to infection, so as a precaution they gave her two IV antibiotics (the same ones she received in the hospital) and did some blood cultures to make sure no infection had set in. So...we ended up spending most of the day at Children's Hospital. We did have an appointment at CARTI (where she got her radiation treatments) also, and her doctor there really didn't have much to say...we are not scheduled to return there for another three months. We will return to Children's on Monday, and may start chemotherapy...it will all depend on her blood counts.

Hannah is feeling much better today...her throat pain is virtually gone, and she is feeling much stronger. So much so, in fact, that the three of us went together to watch Bethany's junior high basketball team play tonight. Her immunity is still quite low, so we were very careful to sit away from the crowd and kept people at a distance. Her friends and teachers were all very happy to see her...lots of people wanted to hug her, but Brad and I acted as her "secret service" and didn't let anyone get too close. She enjoyed her time out so much, and is really getting excited about the possibility of returning to school soon. You know she's feeling better when she's ready to go back to school!

Thank you so much for your prayers...please continue to pray that she can start chemotherapy as soon as possible, and that the side effects from this new treatment will be minimal. We have so much to be thankful for...and God truly is good, all the time!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Jill & Brad