Good Morning Everyone! I can't believe how much time has screamed by since my last update. At least you know that no news is good news!
Let's see... I took both kids to the doctor back in mid May thinking they both had sinus infections. Much to my surprise, they are both suffering from allergies and are taking Zyrtec every night. It has helped them tremendously and there have been no more runny noses. I did call Jillian's NP soon after our visit to the pediatrician because she just wasn't getting better and she had all the classic signs of a sinus infection. I/we've learned in the past two years that we can't just let Jillian get better. We always have to do some kind of medication. (I'll be glad when her immune system gets back to normal again!) We put her on 10 days of Amoxicillin and thought all would be well. I guess I should have paid more attention when the pharamcist asked me if I was sure she could take the meds. Apparently, because she had that terrible reaction to cephalasporins, she shouldn't take Amoxicillin. Nice, huh? I called the clinic back after 5 days because Jillian seemed to be having an allergic reaction and her tongue was "nasty" (for lack of a better word). I stopped the Amoxicillin and never looked back. Jilly Bean's tongue got better within a day! At the time I took the kids to the doc, Jillian had an ugly rash on her torso and under her arms. I told Cheri about it when I called and she said that it's usual to see rashes for about the first 6 months of being off treatment. Well, it's gone now and it never really bothered Jillian anyway.
Jillian graduated from preschool on May 28th. Rob and I were so proud and we both teared up. It was so cute and Jillian did a great job. Our "singing" child didn't utter a word during her songs (of course) except "Hi Mama!" We know that Jake will be singing his lungs out next year at his graduation so it will make up for Jillian's silence. I'll have Rob post some new pictures so you can see how cute she looked in her cap and gown.
We had our 2nd Off Treatment clinic visit last Thursday. Before we left the house, I asked Jillian if she wanted cream on her arm to help numb it and she told me no. (I guess she's has way too much of that stuff and decided she could tough it out!) The phlebotomist is awesome and Jillian only cried for a moment. Her counts were fantastic! ANC/AGC 3500 Hemoglobin 13. No wonder she feels like a million bucks and is running around like a nut! (Thanks Ma for staying with Jacob!) Clinic visits are always so much nicer with only one child instead of two. We don't go back until August, so our summer is free from doctor visits. Yeah!
Speaking of summer, our Off Treatment party plans are coming together. Remember, July 25th at our house from 12:00 to 6:00pm. As soon as I finish up all the details, I'll post it here for everyone to see.
I guess I'd better run. I broke Jillian's glasses a week ago and the new frames are in today. Poor kid has been wearing an old pair! Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes. Our family would not have survived this ordeal without you and we just can't thank you enough. Please continue to pray for Jillian, Luke, Carter, Cassie, Raquel, Chloe, John, Lexy, Kelly, Mickey, Kyle, and the ALL Kids. Your prayers sustain us all.
Peace,
Cathy
