Platelets, Blood, and more Platelets

Still here in the hospital... Lilly is in the last week of Delayed Intensification and we are hoping and praying it only gets easier from here. It has definitely been "intense" and the chemo Lilly has received has knocked her counts and immune system way down. This morning Lilly is scheduled to get her 7th transfusion in just over a week. She's had 4 platelet transfusions and 3 blood transfusions. I cannot say thank you enough to those who donate their time and blood to local blood banks which helps save lives like Lilly's. People have asked if they can donate specifically to Lilly. The answer to that is no, but the blood bank that Primary Children's Hospital uses is ARUP. Go donate to ARUP and know you're not only helping Lilly, but other sick kiddos as well. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It means so much to us! The reason we are admitted in the hospital is because Lilly got a fever. When you're neutropenic (low ANC), you're at a much greater risk of getting an infection so they take fevers very seriously. Lilly had blood cultures drawn and she's on IV antibiotics (through her port) every 6 hours. We are hoping to go home today after her blood transfusion, but I see more transfusions in her near future. She will also have to get IV antibiotics at home through her port because her ANC is still zero. 

Lilly and JT were in clinic together on Friday, so we were surprised to see him on the 4th floor when we were admitted. He had just gotten to the hospital about 10 minutes before us because of a fever as well. Lilly and JT were making the best of staying in the hospital. Lilly can't go out of her room because her ANC is so low, so JT came to her window to draw and play games. Lilly had her own "bittersweet" moment... She was a little sad at first because it reminded her so much of Michalla and the fun times she spent with her making memories in the hospital. She will forever miss Michalla and the special bond they shared, but we are grateful for JT and his friendship. 

We are all in this together, as cancer families. We all fight together and we all have a special connection with each other. So grateful for the amazing doctors and nurses who take such good care of our kids.