TMI

Yesterday I took Kateli in to the clinic because mommy got stuck at the gym when the remote to the car fell apart- leaving her no way to get home before our appointment. It was probably a blessing in disguise, since our morning appointment was going to provide too much information on the treatment we are currently going through.

In the play room where we wait for the blood work results, we met a girl with ALL that we'd never met before. She was very outgoing and quickly started providing us with her detailed recollections of the worst part of her treatment. Something in me told me I didn't really want to hear what she was going to tell, so I tried to indicate where Kateli was with her treatment, so the little girl or her mother might withhold her less than positive experience. It didn't quite work. She withheld nothing, and her mother added in way TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

She began with, "Mom- what was the name of that drug? Something with a 'C'." Her mom confirmed it was Cytarabine. Yep- they proceeded to describe her adverse reactions to 2 of the 3 drugs we were supposed to start that day. Cyclophosphamide had made her face feel like it was on fire, and they had to stop giving it to her and start her on benadryl. The Cytarabine gave her a 106 degree fever over the next 2 weeks and she spent most of the time in the hospital. Not the most encouraging words for a parent who is hoping that his daughter's counts are high enough to get to do treatment that day.

Good News- Katherine's counts came back at 1880! up 1600 from last week. Well it is what we were hoping for, but at that point I was a little bit nervous about starting this part of treatment. They put Katherine on fluids because they have to flush out her system before they start the Cyclo... They couldn't give her the Cyclophosphamide until around Midnight, and Katherine was a little restless throughout the night. Other than that, not complications or side effects to this point. She is a little bit worn out but has not had any noticeable nausea. Katherine did awesome at the hospital and complained very little.

We ask for your continued prayers over the next 2 weeks as we finish up the "Delayed INTENSIFICATION" phase, since we've now heard first hand how awful it can be.

Please pray that Kateli does not have any severe nausea or fevers from the drugs, and that she is able to rest well at night and has strength for the days. Please pray for our strength as we care for her- we have many appointments at the hospital over the next few weeks.

Thanks for your support.
Dan

with my eyes closed...

So, I have to share this funny story before it gets lost in my mind! :) Each morning when we all wake up it is customary for me to say to the kids "buenos dias, como dormistes?" this means "good morning, how did you sleep?" Usually, I just answer the question for them and say "rico" or "good/yummy"...well, this morning I got a different, more accurate response from our little smartie pants Kateli. She came in our bed and was all smiles and giggles. I looked at her and said "buenos dias!! Como dormistes" She didn't hesitate one bit before answering. Picture this response...she looked at me, smiled really BIG, shut her eyes and said "eyes closed"....how much more accurate can you get?? I mean really, who sleeps with their eyes open?? I was tickled, hope you got a kick out of that too....

Celebrating 4 years!

Since Dan and I said our "I do's"!!! Wow!! Time flies when you are enjoying life...even with the downs that we've experienced and are experiencing in our time together. Amazing the beautiful ways in which God works. 10 years ago, I would have never guessed that I'd be in Tulsa, married to a wonderful man, and be a stay at home mom to our two most beautiful children! Had you asked me what my plan was, I would have said "be married by 24, have kids, and have a great career as an engineer" funny how God has other plans for us, huh?? I was more focused on the things that I wanted, mainly success...rather than the things that are most important. I did not have a real close relationship with the Lord, and was not really happy. I've come a long way since meeting Dan and have done a whole lot of growing up spiritually. I met Christ and have grown in my relationship with Him. I continue to do that daily, and know I will be doing just that for the rest of my life. God is good. It's so much fun and amazing to think back to how Dan and I met; as well as all the things that we have gone through which clearly show God's presence and constant involvement in our lives, even when we thought maybe He just was not listening or watching over us. I know most of you know our story, but here it is just to jog memories...

I moved to Tulsa, Labor Day Weekend 2000, and started working right away. I remember I flew in on Saturday, and started working on Tuesday (Monday was a holiday, Labor Day). I found myself, on my own, right out of college and in a town I had never in my life visited. It was a brave move, and for weekends on end I would sit in my apartment and wonder what in the world I was doing here all alone...I didn't know. Here is how things have unraveled, all in God's hands.

Dan and I sat in cubicles across from each other at work, but we didn't meet right away. Dan was on a business trip the week that I started, so we met when he came back. Right away I thought he was good looking and funny, but that was it. In February, Dan invited me to a Jenny Laboe (sp?) concert, at the ID (it's something else now) on Brookside, for Valentine's and I accepted. But I accepted only under the condition that we would go as nothing more than friends--funny to me know that I think about it. We started hanging out more and more, and the more time I spent with this man, the more I realized that I was falling for him. I remember I would go to the Varsity with him to watch the Blues, Cardinals and the Rams play JUST so that I could spend time with him. All of you who know me, know how much of a hockey, baseball and football fan I am right?? God was all over this, can you see?

From there it only took about 2 1/2 years for Dan to realize that I was the one and to finally get down on one knee! Without sharing too much detail, not everyone was happy with the idea of us being married, but you know what? God was there and still is, working in the hearts of those who differ in opinion one way or another--we see Him working to this day. So, almost 3 years after we started dating Dan and I were married in a beautiful ceremony at The Kirk. Such sweet memories!! The reception was so much fun, we danced and danced and danced the night away.

We were pregnant before our first anniversary, and spent 7 weeks in the hospital waiting for Kateli to be born. You guessed it, God was all over that situation as well. He gave me the time that I needed to get to know Him better and to realize his Sovereignty and His love for me, for Dan and for our growing family. God saw us through this, surrounding us with His love shown to us through the wonderful people he put in our lives. He gave us a healthy, beautiful baby girl.

We found out we were expecting again, on New Years 2007! What a great way to start a New Year!! Joshua was born in August, 3 weeks early and through a successful VBAC. You guessed it...God's was here and all over this too from the beginning. We were able to get in with a great doctor who would allow for the VBAC. Although Joshua was born early, it was a blessing in disguise. I didn't even think "VBAC (or anything associated with VBAC)" during labor, and I was able to deliver our baby without any fear of the risks. What an awesome God!

We continue to see God working. From Kateli's early diagnosis of Leukemia to how well she is doing with treatment. The only way we are making it through all of this and staying strong is because we have God on our side and we trust in Him, in His love and in His care.

Lots to go through in four years, right?? All good things... TO SEE PICS VISIT OUR MARSHY CORNER.

A week off...

We're home from our appointment this morning. Kateli's counts were a bit low to do the procedure and continue treatment today. So, it has been postponed for a week. She is scheduled to go in on Wed next week at 8:30am. Again, they will check her counts and if they are above 750 proceed with treatment. Aside from the low counts, Kateli is doing MUCH MUCH better this week. She's back to being herself, and smiling and being concerned for others before herself. In fact, this morning in clinic there was a little girl--actually, a bit older than Kateli--who was NOT at all happy and cried a lot and LOUD. Well, Kateli was so concerned about the poor little girl..she kept saying "ohhh...baby sad. what happened baby?" That's our girl for you!! Please just continue praying for complete healing from last week's bug. Kateli is doing a lot better, but she continues to have loose stools. Thanks so much for keeping up to date with out stuff.

Back in the comfort of our own home...

Kateli was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. The doctor ordered to have her IV removed in the morning and just observe her food and water intake for the rest of the day before letting her go. Kateli did great, she managed to eat 1/2 small cheese pizza, a glass of water and about 15 grapes for lunch. The more awesome deal about her lunch was that it didn't just PASS through her. She didn't actually potty until about an hour or hour and a half after eating, so that was a step in the right direction. So, we got discharge orders and were on our way home about 3:30pm. My parents, who had planned to head back home yesterday afternoon, were so gracious to stay through another night and watch Joshua for us until we got home from the hospital. It was a blessing to have them visiting with us this week. Kateli was sent home on an antibiotic, as the doctor said she did have a UTI. Last week was just horrid...Kateli seemed so out of energy, all she wanted to do was sleep and lay in bed all day long. She had circles under her eyes, and it was EXTREMELY rare to see her usual smile and beaming little blue eyes. She had the stomach flu, had a UTI, diaper rash, and developed quite a case of thrush in her mouth...that was last week. I look at her today, and I see a totally different little girl before me. Yes, she does get tired much quicker--but that's expected after all of this stuff--but she's smiling, she laughing, she's playing with her brother, her face just reads differently these days. We are praying that this week is good and we can watch her be KATELI, the Kateli who does not cease to make us laugh and keep us entertained.

We are scheduled for a clinic appointment on Tuesday this week, July 22nd. Kateli will have bloodwork done to check her counts and depending on the results we may stay overnight. Kateli's counts have to be over 750 in order to proceed. Please pray that her counts are back up, yet at the same time pray that she is fully recovered and her body has the strength to tolerate the new chemo and the subsequent daily doses after that. If Kateli's counts are below 750 we will have to delay this a week--which would not be totally a bad thing (as long as her counts are MOVING in the right direction--her ANC was 100 yesterday). It would just mean that her body is given a week off of the meds. Is that being a tad selfish?? I just want to enjoy my little girl as her usual self, it makes me sad to watch her in pain, or even lethargic--it's just not like her.

Thanks for keeping up with our family. We truly appreciate your prayers and thoughts.

Back at Resort Saint Francis

Katherine has been battling a stomach bug for several days. Last night she started running a fever over 101, so we are back at Resort Saint Francis. OK, a hospital is nothing like a resort, but you wouldn't know it by Kateli's attitude. While we were checking in last night, she had the nurses and resident Doctors catering to her every "need". The head resident was kind enough to bring our little princess a mini-pizza for dinner. She asked if we needed anything else and Kateli responded, "Parmesan Cheese". She surely keeps us laughing despite the circumstances.

Katherine is so tough, she didn't cry at all during in-processing, not even when they accessed her port. As per protocol, she will remain in the hospital until she is free of fever for 24 hours. They have put her on antibiotics and are taking cultures and x-rays to ensure that she doesn't have any infection. Katherine's counts remain low- around 200- so she is very susceptible to illness.

We are fortunate to have Marleny's parents in town to watch Joshua while Marleny and I take turns at the hospital.

Please pray that Katherine doesn't have any bacterial infection and that the stomach troubles and fever pass quickly so that we can return home.

Next week Tuesday, we are scheduled to admit Kateli for an overnight stay to observe her while they administer one of the more intense Chemo drugs. The whole week is pretty intense, so we are trying to prepare mentally for that next hurdle as well.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers.
Dan, Marleny, Kateli, Joshua

Worn out

I returned from my business trip on Thursday, and it is evident that Kateli is not feeling well on the steroids. Since I've been home, she has been resting on one of our shoulders or actually taking a nap on the bed the entire time. Her body seems weak, and she doesn't really have any energy to do anything. Her eyes have dark circles underneath and she just plain looks sad. It is very difficult to see our little girl feeling so lousy, and to not be able to do anything to help. We've taken her to the park several times- but she doesn't seem well enough to enjoy it as much as usual.

On the bright side, Kateli got to spend some time with Grandma this week while I was out of town. She enjoys time with Grandma, and has been asking- "Where is Grandma?" ever since she left for STL.

Please continue to pray for Kateli's health and that she has renewed strength for each day.

Dan.

Chugging right along...

is what we have been doing the last few weeks. I apologize for the lack of update, but things are just a bit hectic around here, especially when our little girl is on steroids. We shared with you that Kateli is now on the 3rd of 4 phases of her treatment. She continues to do well with the medications. The steroids seem to have the biggest effect on her, in that she appears to be more tired than normal. She asks to take naps, and she is ready for bed much earlier than the norm. Aside from this, our little girl continues to just be herself. Bedtime is getting a bit easier. We have managed to transition her back into her own bed upstairs, and although she ends up in our bed in the mornings, she doesn't fight to go to sleep too badly these nights. I think it helps that her little brother is sleeping upstairs now too. She doesn't feel like she is up there alone!!

As expected, Kateli's appetite spiked as a result of the first 7 days of steroids. We've had a week break from the steroids and just started the next round today. So far, so good. She has been eating rather well, not too much not too little, but just enough for her little body, I think. She has had her requests, and it seems "sgettis" are a favorite, as I've been cooking it a LOT the last week or so....Joshua doesn't fall behind when it comes to eating, so I'm making enough for the both of them!! Kateli's counts are a bit low this week, but the nurse said that it is to be expected. However, as Dan shared in the previous post, low counts will not introduce a delay this time around so we are just "chugging" right along. Please pray that her counts do come back up though, Next week, our clinic appointment is for blood counts only. She will have another week of rest from the chemo. The week after that, though, will be busy. Our appointments will change to Tuesdays, starting on July 22nd. That day, Kateli is scheduled for a spinal tap, and an overnight hospital admission because of a chemo that will be administered. God willing she will be released on Wed and we will need to visit the clinic each day that week, through the next week for daily admins of the same chemo drug.

You can specifically pray for the following:

• Please pray that Kateli's numbers will come back up by next week.
• Please start praying now for the week of the 22nd of July. Pray for God's protection on Kateli as we go through that week.
• Please pray for continues protection over Kateli's body, her organs and her normal cells as she continues with this chemo regimen.
• Please pray for strength and endurance for all of us during this process.
• Please pray that Joshua will continue to be the happy and content baby that he is, as he turns one soon, and will begin to explore in new ways--specifically by WALKING!!

Thank you for keeping up with our family and updates on our little girl's treatment.