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.