Charmaine Update

The past few days have been a little difficult for Charmaine being apart from Dad, but she is handling it well. She received 2 units of blood on Saturday because her numbers got too low, but was expected. She has had some mild nausea and headaches, but are under control. Saturday evening she started feeling itchy in her neck and face, then it turned red with whelts so the nurse gave her some Benedryl...and this helped the situation. A few hours later during the night, she started running a fever (101) but it ran its course and went away without meds. We learned later that the fever and allergic reaction was common after receiving blood.

Her platelet counts are still low, and she remains on a blood thinner because of the clot in her lung...therefore she bleeds very easily and freely. Well, the tech that came in to take blood from her arm during the night apparently didn't put enough pressure on the site before taping it, and Charmaine woke up feeling a funny "wetness" under her arm! So needless to say we had a little mess to clean up because her arm had been leaking for a little while.

All these events in a row got her a little nervous, but we learned that we can handle the little unexpected surprises just fine! Thanks to God.

Sunday her platelets were still on the low side, so they gave her a unit of platelets. All her low numbers are to be expected, but I guess we are just more impatient this time...she can't wait to get back home...or at least just back with Dad :) His cough is still lingering, so it will be a little longer until he can go back.

The doctor said today that depending on her platelet increase, she may get to go home Wednesday...maybe. She is at 37 and they want her at a stable 60 before leaving. It's for her safety and she knows this!!

Because Dad hasn't been able to be with her, Natalie and I (and a few others) have increased our trips to the hospital and I would like to thank those of you helping us with our children so we can be there for Charmaine...it means more to her and to us than you will ever know! Thanks also for the dinners you have cooked, cards you have sent, and just for loving our family so much...we are blessed to have so many friends who care!

Monday, Charmaine will be getting another CT scan of her head to check on the sinus infection. The dr. says that it will go away as her white blood counts go up, but if needed, they may go in with a small tube to drain the sinus fluids and pressure. Just keep her in your prayers that her numbers keep rising and she gets to go home soon.

Stefanie