rough long, bad news kind of day..

Not sure where to begin.  Today was a very difficult day but also a good day in some ways.  We went down for Chemo today because we were supposed to be going out of town on vacation with some of my family.  We brought my nephew Kenton with to make it a little easier of a day.  So Ellie had one of the best doctor checkups yet.  Kenton and her had a great time with Dr. Goldman.  Then she went to get her port accessed.  Well that didn’t go so well she was crying so bad that Kenton got upset.  We made it through and she got her port accessed and blood drawn.  They started hydration right away so Ellie took her IV pole and took Kenton into the play room.  Around 11am Dr. Goldman pulled my Mom and Me out of the play room.  This was not a typical procedure so I knew something was up.   We are typically told to go back to day hospital and begin the chemo. 

Dr. Goldman’s face kind of said it all.  He said Ellie’s White blood cell counts were EXTREMELY low and she could not get Chemo today.  I asked him what we can do, a blood transfusion?  He informed me nothing it will just take time for her counts to come back up.  At this point I think I was doing everything not to cry and be upset at this point.  So my questions kind of stopped.  Well we are now not going on vacation because Ellie has to be isolated from crowds and sick people.  From from this point on she has to wear a mask until her counts come back up, which made her and I both very sad.  What made it easier was Kenton saying “I want to wear a doctor mask, Dr. Ellie, I’m Dr. Kenton” At this point he made me smile. 

Dr. Goldman and Nurses recommended we didn’t waste the day to do something special.  So my mom and I decided to take the kids to Lincoln Park Zoo.  It was a great free zoo; I have not been there since I was really really young so I didn’t remember.  The kids seemed to have a good time.  The only thing that really bothered me was the looks that Ellie got because of her mask.  I gave the same looks before this happened to my child so it kills me to see this not only because it draws more attention to the fact that Ellie is not a normal kid. It makes me sad  that I did the same thing before. But luckily Ellie is oblivious and didn’t notice.  We did have a great time at Lincoln Park Zoo. 

We will be going down again to the hospital on Wednesday for her blood to be drawn again.  Dr. Goldman seemed to feel better about monitoring her a little more closely.  If she gets a fever we need to call right away and I believe she will be hospitalized.  Basically I am praying that this doesn’t happen.  We also have a hearing aid Consultation at the hospital on Wednesday.  So another day on Wednesday.

Anyone have good news?  Because I could really use good news right about now.  I included some pictures of the checkup with Dr. Goldman, Kenton, & Ellie.  Also of the Zoo Trip.  It was a long day we left the house at 6am and just got home at 8pm.  I’m eating some left over’s and letting my head hit the pillow. For now Good Night and please pray that Ellie stays healthy and her blood counts come back up very soon.