Platelets and Pasta

This post is #160 in a year-long series ... Through this series of posts I plan to share our family's experiences during our 17-year-old daughter's year-long battle with brain cancer, which began in February of 2008. My desire is to process through the events of that year from the perspective that a decade of time has brought ... for myself, really. But if you'd like to follow along, you're welcome to join me.

January 14, 2009

Platelet infusions had become a routine part of our every-other-day life by this time.  A normal platelet level is between 150,000 and 400,000.  Over the last few months, Hannah's platelets had fluctuated from a low of 3,000 to a high of around 60,000 ... nowhere near where they needed to be.  Low platelets combined with the chemo drugs she was taking could result in uncontrolled bleeding, thus the ongoing infusions.

Hannah's appetite was good at this point, probably stimulated by the steroids, and she still enjoyed going out to eat.  With her poor vision and motor skills, it was a bit of a challenge getting her in and out of restaurants ... but if she wanted to go, we took her.  On this particular day, it was Macaroni Grill, and she enjoyed her favorite dish -- Penne Rustica. 

My email from ten years ago today ...

We're at Children's Hospital and they have just started Hannah's platelet infusion. She was at 51,000 today, which is pretty good, but we need to make sure they stay up. Her PICC line worked without any problem today, which was a relief! Hannah's symptoms have not worsened, for which we are thankful, and she is not having any pain or discomfort at all. She has requested lunch at Macaroni Grill today, so we will be heading there as soon as we're done here. God is so good to us, all the time!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Jill and Brad