A good Day

Natalie awoke this morning to the doctor delivering news we have been so anxious to hear. "You are going home today." Her excitement was visible as she jumped onto my lap giving me a big hug. The rest of the day was filled with cleaning up her room. As I took down the posted get well emails and pictures, I couldn't help but feel gratitude to all of you who have helped our Natalie through this first stage of her recovery. She left the hospital with her ANC count at 1100 and feeling good. The doctors and nurses gathered together and sent her off with cheers. Now she begins her 100 days of quarantine.

Today Alice was showing the effects of chemo as she vomited much of the day. The doctors confirm that her mouth sores are starting to show in the back of her throat. She is however, still playful when she isn't holding the bucket to throw up. They will start her on more pain medicine tonight to help her sleep.

We get a emotional when we think of all those who have donated and will donate their blood on behalf of both our girls. Oh, how we are so thankful for your courage to do so. In addition, we on occasion will hear second hand how there are those of you who are selflessly working behind the scenes on our behalf. I wish there were words to express how thankful we are.

Tyler

Post from Home by Lisy:

It was fun to come home to snow--beautiful! Natalie was excited to arrive. Some of the first things she did was look in the pantry and fridge. Earlier this week she said, "I just want to go home and make myself some toast." She drank three glasses of milk. Natalie thinks that everything tastes better at home. I guess I can't argue that when comparing it to hospital cafeteria food. Next she looked around the house with a little smirk on her face because she was so happy. She lied down in her bed, played sleeping queens with Matthew and Blair, and finally at midnight fell asleep. The three of them were so happy to be together that they played and played and I didn't have the heart to interupt them.

Intermountain Homecare had brought a delivery and Blair told the man that he better sanitize his hands before he comes in. There is a large bottle of sanitizer by the front door. Blair followed him with the bottle until he sanitized. Then when the nurse came he did the same thing. He said, "Everyone that comes to our house has to wash their hands." I thought that was so cute.

We will be busy administering plenty of meds around the clock for Natalie. However, with that said she has come home with fewer medicines than the average patient. She has done so well. The doctors have said many times that she is recovering wonderfully. They did say that she had one of the worst cases of mouth sores....we figured so ;)