Monday

Kayli started this morning with flurry of tests. Labs drawn at 4am, then an echocardiogram and MRI. All this teasting is to just evaluate her body for the liver transplant.

We rested for awhile and were visited by friends Lisa & Brandy. Then they moved us back up to the 10th floor. She ordered chicken for lunch, nice hamburger break...but her chicken was RAW- I mean they literally must've just taken the chicken off the farm!!! Last thing we need is salmonella! So we re-ordered her a lunch which hasn't arrived yet, and she is pretty hungry, and its been a couple of hours.

The Hematologists just came in and gave us good news though, her RBCs are looking good and her WBCs have doubled!! This is great news, still not where it needs to be, but better than what it was. Her platelets (clotting) are still where they were and not responding, but the dr said they are usually the last to respond to treatment and they may still yet turn around. In the meantime, the dr did say no softball which is pretty disappointing, but we knew would most likely happen, but it is ok for her to dance, but not sure yet the length of time she will need to be out of school.

So thats a quick update for today. Mark and I are both staying with her tonight since she may be released tomorrow, but they said wednesday is a possibility also. Emily is spending the night with her friend Makayla. Things are looking up for now.

ALSO IN::::: Dr Rhodes and his team stopped by, he is the pedi liver specialist we saw before being admitted. He is very hopeful that the drug therapy will work within the month. He is switching her to a different drug that has less side effects than Prednisone, but they have to wean her over to it slowly because there is a chance for a genetic mutation in her blood to reject it. So while they wean her over, she has to be monitored closely on an outpatient basis- which will also mean lots of trips to the Medical Center for us. Apparently the entire medical team will meet on Wednesday regarding Kayli's status, health, results...kind of like a review board. They are hopeful she will definately be released to go home tomorrow, but Dr Ray would like for her to stay home through the week and maybe return to school on Monday which is GREAT NEWS!! She is happy with that.

Many people have inquired also about mine & Mark's work statuses right now. Mark, luckily had 96 hours of sick time that he has been carrying since the bank was First American (several years), he also has some vacation time. He is ok for at least a few more days. As many of you know I started a new job the week that Kayli was first being diagnosed, so it has been a tough couple of weeks not working. Sadler Clinic Surgery Center allowed me to switch from Full time to PRN, so now that Kayli is stabilized and we may be able to set up her first few outpatient treatment appointments in advanced, I will have a better idea and can let my boss know my schedule and can work in a few days here and there until we get Kayli on a regular schedule. No we are not in the best of financial situations. I believe my brother-in-law will be setting up a fund for Kayli in the event that a Liver Transplant is needed, if that happens I will post it here as I know many are anxious to know how they can help. Also, while she does not need any further blood transfusions at this time, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is always in need of, and I am sure Kayli did use alot from the bank so they could probably use the replenishment!!!