9.11.2008

Written September 11, 2008

Tuesday, was a very busy day. It was a rush to get discharged from the hospital by 8 am and get to Carti by 8:45. We made it and Hannah was early to her first radiation appointment. Hannah did great during her treatment. 

After the treatment we were able to go to our apartment. The apartment is not bad at all. It made Jon and I feel like we were in college again, except with kids. So we ordered pizza for dinner! Hannah and Jackson both enjoyed the pizza. Jackson said, "I want to eat pizza for breakfast too." 

Hannah's home health lady came by Tuesday as well. She showed Jon and I how to prepare Hannah's TPN and lipids (IV nutrition). It is a lot of information but we figured it out together. 

Wednesday, Hannah had her radiation appointment at 8 am. Then, we had to go to the hospital for Hannah's physical therapy evaluation. She did really good and she is moving her toes on her left foot and her left ankle. However, her right foot and toes are not moving yet. 

Hannah has had a really good past couple of days. She enjoys the apartment a lot. Hannah has been sitting up (with support from mom), she was coloring, laughing at Jackson and Dad and eating pretty good. She has really been tolerating her treatments well. 

Today, Thursday, Hannah had her 3rd radiation treatment. After her treatment we had to go to the clinic (at the hospital) for blood tests and her weekly chemotherapy, as well as physical therapy. Hannah did really great with her radiation. We had to wait awhile at the clinic. After getting her lab and weekly chemo Hannah was really tired. So, Jon and I decided to cancel her physical therapy. 

We all went home for lunch and a nap. Hannah was napping so well. I felt her and she felt a little warm. I took her blanket off of her to see if she would cool down. She was not cooling down. I checked her temperature and she was running 102.2* temperature.

We were informed that if her temperature is 101.0 or higher we are supposed to rush her to the emergency room. (If Hannah has a fever it means that she is neutropenic and 'could' have an infection.) Once in the ER Hannah's temperature was dropping. They doctors went ahead and admitted her to 3 Gold and we had to stay the night in the hospital to see what Hannah's blood test are tomorrow morning. 

This may seem a little strange but with cancer patients this happens often. 
This will most likely just be the first of many ER visits.

Please pray that Hannah's right foot starts working and that her blood counts increase. We need a healthy baby to get through all these treatments.
Thank you for all the prayers. God is good and his will, will be done.
Keep the Faith!

9.9.2008

Written September 9, 2008 

Hannah's first round of monthly chemotherapy is complete. 
She has done so great. 
Hannah still can have some side effects and get neutropenic during the next 7-14 days. This is called her "nadir" period. We have to be super cautious at what Hannah is exposed too.

Today is day 35 at the hospital and we get to be discharged at 8 am. We are all so excited. It is almost surreal. At some point in time it feels like you are going to have to stay at the hospital for the rest of you life. We are very excited to get to move into the apartment that Carti is supplying for us.

At 8:45 am Hannah has her very first radiation treatment.

Since, Hannah will not be an in-patient we will be going to Carti Monday-Friday for radiation, to the oncology clinic Monday and Thursday for Hannah's weekly chemotherapy and blood tests, to check her levels, and also to the hospital a few days a week for physical therapy.

Please pray that Hannah does well with her first day of radiation and that she continues to do well and stays healthy.

8.6.2008

Written September 6, 2008 

Hannah's second day of chemo went well. 
Still no side effects from the chemo yet. 
Hannah is just resting and enjoying Jackson. 

We've added new pictures, so check them out. 

Some Siloam Springs, firefighters, and others for a total of 15 adults and 3 children, shaved their heads in support of Hannah. In the picture, you can see the shirts that we are going to have for a fundraiser for Hannah (HOPE FOR HANNAH).

Hannah "should" be discharged from the hospital on Tuesday and we will move into our apartment for the next six weeks while Hannah receives her radiation treatment. 

Today is 32 days in the hospital, our whole family is so excited for a change of scenery.

Please continue to pray for Hannah's strength and that this tumor will be defeated!!!! Thank you for all the support and GOD bless!

(I will post/add Pictures Soon) 

9.5.2008

Written September 5, 2008

Thursday, we went to Carti (radiation cilnic) the people there were wonderful. We were informed that Hannah would be back at Carti on Friday for a scan to get her radiation prepared. 

Starting on Tuesday Hannah will have radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks. 

After she is done with her 6 weeks she will be done with her radiation. 
We should get to go home after her 6 weeks are complete. She will not need anymore radiation at that point. 

Hannah started her chemotherapy last night around 9pm.
She slept through the whole thing and she had NO side effects.
Thank you Jesus!

The doctors will use Hannah's ommaya reservoir today. 

She has two more days of chemotherapy then Hannah will just get her weekly chemo until next month. Then we will be in the hospital for three days of treatment then home for three weeks (getting her weekly chemo at home); then repeat for the next 12 months. 

Hannah gets to come home in approximately 6 weeks when all her radiation is complete. We are excited to finally have a day to count down too. 
Hannah is doing great and thank you so much for all the prayers for our little girl.

9.3.2008

Written September 3, 2008
 
Today was a good lazy day.

Hannah is almost back up to her pre-hospital weight.
We have an appointment with Carti in the morning to go over all the radiation information. Then, Hannah should start her first dose of chemotherapy in the afternoon.

I wanted to let everyone know that there has been a cares account/fund set up for Hannah. It is through any Arvest Bank. It is under Hannah, Jon, or Tiffany Boles.
(The mentioned above Cares account is no longer active.)
 
Thank you for all your blessings and prayers. We appreciate each and every person that is praying and concerned with Hannah's progress. God bless you!

Please pray that Hannah will not have any difficulties with her first chemotherapy treatment.

9.2.2008

Written September 2, 2008 

Hannah's surgery went great. 
The placement of her ommaya reservoir was done in about an hour. 

After surgery we came back to Hannah's room on 3 Gold (oncology floor).
She drank a little milk then had a nap. 
Hannah ate a good lunch and a good dinner. 
Hannah and I even had a little play time today. I had her laughing and giggling. 
We both really enjoyed that and so did Jon.
Jackson is doing well. 
He is spending this week with his Papa Eddie. 
He gets to ride a school bus Friday and is extra excited about that!

We are unsure of when Hannah's treatments start at this moment. 
Jon and I think we start everything tomorrow. 
Tomorrow we will have a game plan on what the next few weeks have in store for Hannah.
Thank you again for all the prayers and concern with Hannah.

9.1.2008

Written September 1, 2008 5:50pm 

This weekend was pretty good. 
Hannah has taken a lot of naps and ate a lot. 
Just a relaxing weekend, resting up for this big week of new experiences.

The doctors moved her CT scan to Saturday. 
Everything went well with that test.

Hannah's surgery to put in her ommaya reservoir in her head will take place tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM.
Everything should go well and Hannah should be able to go back to her room on 3 Gold (Oncology Floor).

Please pray for Hannah to do well tomorrow and that she has strength to make it through this first week of treatments