Tuesday so far

Since last night Mikayla has developed a cringing type pain in her belly and is refusing to eat. I went and seen her today and she was acting as if she was scared. She had nurses in the room and her mom all trying to make her eat. I sat beside her as I entered trying to see what was going on and the nurses began hooking up a appetite stimulant. After a little pep talk and some advice about eating she ate a ham sandwich for me. I told her the pain goes away if you eat and that it will stay away as long as you eat foods like ice cream and sandwiches. Sometimes we try to explain about the feeding tubes and how it is better if she ate instead of having one inserted. I think that scares her too much now. She wants to eat, but is scared her pain will worsen. There is a fine line between scaring her into eating and letting her know she is capable of doing it on her own.

Over the weekend until now

Sorry, we are getting so lazy on the blog. When we forget to update we hear about it fairly quickly. Saturday and Sunday was a lot of just us hanging out. We watched movies and talked. Mikayla seemed pretty good. No major issues. Without jinxing us I am proud of Mikyala. Her blood counts so far are still showing negative for blasts. Blasts are good indicators for Leukemia. Her counts are all low, but with some divine intervention things will proceed down the correct path. If all stays the course we should be getting ready for her transplant by the end of October. It is going to be a rough experience. She will get a round of chemo and 4 full body radiation courses before the transplant. The chemo itself we are told is really mean. I personally have heard nothing but bad from people about radiation therapy. The levels which what they treat her with are stronger than xrays, but about 1/4th of what they would put to say a brain tumor. We are currently studing to determine if the choices ahead are the correct ones or not. We want to do all we can, but we don't want to cross the line and do more damage then she can withstand. Any comments or experience in this matter we would love to hear from you. As always my family would like to thank everyone that is supporting Mikayla and her family on our difficult journey.

Thank you ....

Just want to say thank you Becky for the cake. To those who offered I want to say thank you. You are all so sweet. I have always picked up the kids 1st bday cake.I can't leave Mikayla and of course driving with Malachi alone and knowing he will cry and scream, I was not able to do it this time. Again thank you..............
So, today Mikayla was excited of course because it is Friday. She did not feel very well after breakfast. She threw up and did not feel right all am. She complained of stomach ache before lunch and really did not want to eat anything. I asked the nurse for benadryl which knocked her out. She slept for three hours. Woke up and felt better. She was glad to have that rest so when Damien, Darian and Daddy get here she can stay up late. Things worked out. She was a different person when they all got here. She even ate better and had seconds. Smiled, giggled , played and prayed together. Mike was tired but he made sure Malachi is asleep before they go to RMcdonald house.
Have a nice night and God Bless us all....

Malachi is Big 1

Yes my Malachi is 1 yo. Thank you Lord for this gift. Mikayla is so excited. She tells everyone to do the Bday cha cha song for him when they come to work. Mike told me last night that a lady he went to school with is having a bakery in Kansas City deliver cake today. Thank you so much. That is so thoughtful of you. Even my friends in Joplin area are wanting to help me celebrate his bday at home. But I just can't celebrate without the whole family anymore. Mikayla and I missed Damien's bday party this summer . People have been so nice to us. We praise the Lord for all these blessings, all our friends and family praying and supporting us non stop. Everyone who follows the blog, thank you.
We will wait for Mike , Damien and Darian and celebrate Malachi's 1st bday ..... Again Thank you to all . God Bless.............rea

Belly ache.....

Tonight she complained of her belly hurting. She does not like to take medicine by mouth , so when she complains of pain and asks for medicine, I know she is hurting. She also said, it's about 9/10 pain. I called the nurse and asked for the night resident to come and assess her. He evaluated her and said that it can be just from chemo or the loose stool that she had which is also from chemo. They will monitor, and he understands that parents know their kids more than the docs, that to make sure I notify the nurse for anything outside ordinary. I promised Mikayla , I wil sleep in the rocking chair between Malachi and her so I will hear her right away if she needs me.
Mikayla very excited that her brother, Malachi will turn 1 this Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. She told everyone she talked to , that Malachi will have his bday this week. Will buy a cake , just don't know how , but I will get one and celebrate in the hospital. Mike and 2 older kids will be here that night. I want to thank the Lord for giving us Malachi ... oh gosh ,I cannot stop crying, ......... The Lord gave us Mikayla's match.... We are so blessed...God is so so good....Thank you ....

Last Day of Chemo

Sorry if we haven't updated the blog. Today, WEDNESDAY is is last day of her chemo (third course), yipee!!!!! Tomorrow starts counts recovery. We will be here at least until the 28th day from Saptember 23, 2009. She will have bone marrow aspiration approx. 28th day and we will know leukemia blast. We are praying and hoping that she goes in remission, then on our way to bone marrow transplant. We will meet with the bone marrow transplant team tomorrow at 11 am and discuss details of the procedure. She is looking good, had a hair cut last night. Again , anything is possible ... we believe in miracles... our Faith in God makes everything possible. Your prayers and never ending support keeps us going. God is good .... Fight Mikayla !! Fight!!
GOD BLESS US ALL.....

Sunday into Monday

Saturday overnight Mikayla had a fever. This excluded her from the play room all day Sunday. Sunday was more just hanging out doing fun things like board games and telling stories. Make-A-Wish came in to do an interview, but neither one of us knew really what to do, because Mikayla bounces back from healthy to just ok. Sunday was time to leave day and it went pretty well this time. With the addition of the webcam she felt more at ease. Monday she attended her "school". We have set an appointment with the bone marrow transplant team on Thursday to discuss all things related to the transplant. This is the meeting where we will be able to better understand a time frame as well as the procedure itself and what to expect. Her chemo is going well. We have just a few more days to go. So far from her CBCs she seems to be on the right track.