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Thank you for all of the prayers!

This morning Erica seemed more lethargic than she had the day prior and so we were glad that lab tests were only a few hours away. She slept most of the morning and on the way to the hospital but she did manage to keep the few bites of breakfast down.

Erica was so good during the lab work . . . there were quite a few tubes that needed filling and the gals at the lab were great.

When we got home, Erica (and I) went right back to sleep. I guess I should add, here, that I started a new job on Monday. Yes, Erica had not so much as sniffled for 19 months and then 3 days before mommy goes back to work, she gets the flu bug. Ahhh, it wouldn't be any fun if it were easy!! So, needless to say, my first week has been a bit of doozy but my boss is great and, as a mom, she has been very understanding. So, today, I was able to leave a meeting and get to the hospital in time to hold Erica during her blood draw. In the meantime, Bob has been a super hero dad.

The phone finally rang this afternoon and Bob spoke with Dr. Taylor. Erica's CBC looked good and so our greatest fears of a relapse were finally put to rest. Deep Breath. The bad news was that her glucose came in at an astonishing 24 (normal = about 102). Hence the "wet rag" behavior. While this could be low enough to put the average person into a coma or into seizure, Erica's blood sugar tends to be low to begin with and we have had several issues with her hypoglycemia in the past. It was just the last thing we thought about this week given all of her other symptoms. So, we frantically gave her syringes of sugar water and frosting and then prayed that she wouldn't throw up. I tested her again and it was 44 and then, after giving her all kinds of starches (she still doesn't really want to eat) it was up to 70.

The orders for tonight are to wake her every 4 hours, test her, and give her something to eat. If unsuccessful, we will need to go to the hospital for glucose IV. No, no, no . . . we do not want to do that!

Again, I ask for prayers . . . no more vomiting, increased hunger and eating, normal glucose levels asap, and that the virus exits her system.

Thank you. With love,
Meg

The Bug

It's been nineteen months since Erica's transplant and she is currently sick for the first time since. This past Friday she got The Bug; fever, vomiting, wheezing, etc. It's been tough, physically and emotionally. It's hard not to think the worst but Dr. Taylor saw Erica today and it was nice to see his lack of major concern. He took some swab tests and chest x-rays and so far things look good. Tomorrow we will go in for a blood draw and potential infusion of immunoglobulin.

This may be like any other flu bug, the same one that has hit many kids this year . . . but, oh, it is so hard to see her pale, weak, exhausted, and thin. Bob and I have been silently stressed, tying to maintain perspective.

Please say prayers that Erica feels like herself again soon! I'll keep you posted.