Day +163

Well we are all alone again. Denise and Cassie left this morning around 8am. Alicia was asleep so the good byes were not that bad. Denise did wake her up to get one last hug and then Alicia went right back to sleep. She slept til after noon today, she was just so wore out.

I can not believe it is almost December. It does not feel like we have been here for six months. November went by soooooo fast with all of the excitement of her Birthday, Mommy, Daddy and Ne Ne and Cassie. I just pray December goes by as fast and we are on our way home. We want to go home more than ever now. Seeing our Family and with the Holidays will make me stay on top of Dr Davies so we can go HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If not for good then just for a few days during Christmas. I do not even want to begin to think how it will be possible with the cost of going home and then turn around and go home a few weeks later for good. I just hope she can work towards us going before Christmas and staying til it is time for her return check up. I do not even know what it entails to coordinate us going home since they have not even mentioned it.

Next week we only have to be at the Hospital on Friday so I hope to see Dr Davies then. The Home Nurse will be here at the RMH on Monday and Tuesday and Therapy is on Wednesday so Thursday is the only day we have free. I am kinda glad about that though because I heard there is going to be snow here in Cincinnati. My mom called this morning to tell me there is snow back home today.

I want to thank everyone once again for the awesome Birthday Alicia had again and Thanks Kelly and Alayne for the cute gifts you both gave Alicia last week she loved them.

I want to add a few pictures of our week to end this. Take care and please pray we will be home for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This one is of Alicia and Cassie with their attitudes...................................

This is of the girls when we got out for a drive with Alicia, notice no cars around!!!!!!!!

Day +160

I can not believe it has been 160 days since Alicia's transplant. I know it has been alot of days but actually it does not seem like it has been that long. So much has happened in the those 160 days but I am so thankful for where Alicia is in this leg of her journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday Alicia had Day Hospital. Denise got to experience what my day was like there. Denise was so ready to go when it was all over, She actually had her all bundled up and ready to go then she had to take her coat back off because they needed to get more blood. LOL Denise was so mad, I just laughed and said "this is just my life now" This is a picture of us on our way in to Day Hospital.............................

Alicia had a hat on but Denise took it off when we got inside.

Here is another of the three of them this morning..............................

I am so glad to have my sis here with me this Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything went well in Day Hospital yesterday. Her Hemoglobin came back a bit low at 8.6 so they said she will probably need a transfusion on Friday when we go back. Her Platelets are holding their own still they were at 74,000, but her White Cells were even higher. They were at 39.9. The Docs seemed not to be worried still. My question is on Friday will will how long can they be so high and going higher before we get worried? Hopefully they will ease my mind again when we are there on Friday.

As I sit here and watch Cassie and Alicia play i can not help but to think how truly Blessed I am. With tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I know I have many many things to be Thankful for this year. First and foremost I am truely thankful for the very special person who gave the Marrow that gave my best friend a new chance at life, I am Thankful for my health also and that I have been fortunate not to get sick once that would of put Alicia at any risk. I am also Thankful for Dr Davies and the other wonderful Doctors here at Cincinnati Children's. I am Thankful for the Ronald McDonald House, if it weren't for here Alicia and I would not have a place to stay close to the Hospital. I am Thankful for the new friends I have met while being here during transplant. I have been very lucky to meet the best group of ladies (and men) during Alicia's Transplant and I am very Thankful for them. There has been very many times when I was having a rough time dealing with all that was going on with Alicia and these friends helped me through those times. They were there for me when I needed to vent, or to cry, or to scream or just needed someone to listen. Each of them had their own child in transplant but they were still willing to lend me a shoulder when ever I need it. I so hope all of you have the best Thanksgivings with your Family's, many of you are still here here Cincinnati with us, and I hope you have the best times with your families and to the ones (2) of you that are at home, I am soooooo happy that you have finally made it there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am Thankful for having such a beautiful Daughter and Grandsons. Erika has grown into such a Beautiful Mature young Lady. I am so Thankful that Anshon came into her life and they gave me the 2 most handsome grandsons on Earth. I am Thankful for every moment I get to talk or spend time with Erika. She is my ONLY child and I am thankful for that also.

I am also Thankful for my family and friends. First I am Thankful for my Mom and Dad. My Mom has been here through all of this with me to the fullest. There has not been one time that I had called her and asked for anything that she did not come through. She has dropped what she was doing the moment I called just to help me even thought I told her it could wait. I am very Thankful for the Mother I have.I am also Thankful for my Fathers health. At one time we thought my dad was not going o be able to win the fight with his cancer. I was sooo worried Alicia and I would be here going through her transplant and something would happen to my dad and I would not be able to go home but my dad has beaten all of the odds and I am Thankful he is still here with us.

Second is my sisters, I am Thankful to have Denise and Casie here with me for Thanksgiving this year!!! I am very Thankful I will not be alone. Denise is the best sister anyone can ask for. She unselfishly left her family at home just to make sure we were not alone and I am Thankful for that. I am thankful to have a sister as my oldest Kelli. She is such an awesome sister but even more she is my friend. I am thankful to have such a close relationship with all of my sisters. There isn't a day that goes by that Kelli doesn't call just to see how Alicia is doing and to just say Hi. I am Thankful to have my little sister Sarah also. Although she is going through a lot in her life I am Thankful that she is trying to better her self and learn the right way of life. I am very Thankful for all three of you.

Most of all I am Thankful for having Alicia in my life. I am so Thankful that she is winning this battle and that one day we will be back home with our Family. I am Thankful that the Bone Marrow she received engrafted to 100% I am Thankful that Alicia fought so hard and overcame the many many many obstacles that were put in front of her during her transplant. I am very Thankful that when the night ends that I am able to kiss my best friend good night and when the sun rises i can do the same. I am Thankful for her unconditional love. I am Thankful that she is part of my life and I am Thankful that I can say she is truly my very best friend.

Last but by far the least I am Thankful for the Lord!!!! He has challenged my faith more than once during all of this but I am so Thankful that her made me see. I am Thankful that God is so strong in my heart and he is the reason I am able to get past the hard days and enjoy the good. I am Thankful for every day the Lord allows me to spend with Alicia and I am Thankful for the days I spend with the Lord as well.

I hope That everyone has a Very Happy Thanksgiving, and take a few second tomorrow just to remember what you are Thankful for. I know I will.

Day +157

Hello all sorry I have not updated in a couple of days. My sister, Denise which will be here Tomorrow if I have not mentioned that a million times, well any way she was on my butt yesterday about updating. She said there are many people who rely on my updates to keep up on Alicia so I am very sorry.

We have been catching up on some much needed sleep this weekend. I have also had a very bad headache but this morning it has seemed to go away, I just hope it goes away so I can get things ready for Denise, I have mentioned she will be here tomorrow?

Denise is also bringing her daughter Cassie. Alicia does not know that Cassie is coming. We are going to hide Cassie and surprise Alicia. I can not wait to see Alicia's face when she sees her. We are planning for Denise to come in first and then about five minutes later we will have Cassie knock on the door, Alicia is going to be sooooo excited, I will take a picture of that moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday we were at the Hospital most of the aftrnoon. Alicia got her Ambison Infusion and it went well. They also did a Cbc and Alicia's Platelets came up by their selves again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are her counts as of Friday. I know some of you might not understand when I say what her counts are so I will post the "normal range" also. The normal will be the first number I post then the second will be Alicia's on Friday........

Wbc (white blood count) normal--(5.0 to 14.5) Alicia's-- 25.2
Rbc (red blood count) normal (4.00 to 5.20) Alicia's--3.56
HGB (hemoglobin) normal (11.5 to 15.5) Alicia's 9.9
Platelets normal ( 135 to 466) Alicia's 72
Anc normal (1.50 to 8.00) Alicia's 20.23

these counts might look kinda crazy to some of you but I am very pleased with the way they are. Dr Davies is still not worried about her Wbc of Anc so I trust her and I am OK with them now also.

One of her counts did come back abnormal which is concerning the Doctors, it has to do with her Liver and enzymes. One is her Alk Phos. It is slightly high, they told me it works with the calcium and is what makes her bones strong so they are worried because her calcium is very low so they started her on another med which will help to bring her calcium up and her Phosphate down, I was also told to be more careful with her because her bones could be more fragile. Also her GGT, AST, and ALT are still elevated. This also has to do with her Liver. The Doctors are starting to get concerned about that as well. They said it most likely has to do with medication but they are watching her numbers closely.

We will be in Day Hospital on Tuesday o I will know more then and I promise to update as soon as I find out anything.

Please don't forget to visit Abby patterson's sight and help with the Toy Drive if you can, and please let her know it is in Alicia's honor.

Day +153

First off I would like to Thank Laurie and Allen again for sending Alicia the Birthday in a box. She had TWO Sponge Bob Birthdays thank to the Hope For Henry Foundation. Thank You Sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I would also like to thank my family for the wonderful gifts you sent Alicia. Mom I do not know what I would do without you!!!! I left home almost six months ago knowing that if ever I needed anything all I had to do was call. You have been a huge support to Alicia and I and she LOVED the makeup and doggy. I love you Mom.


Kelli, thank you so much for making sure all of your kids called Alicia. She got so excited every time she heard the phone ring and she knew it was someone else wishing her a happy birthday. I also want thank you for always being there for me when I need someone to talk to. I bet some times when I am on the phone you are probably thinking when will she ever shut up, I always feel better after talking to you. Thanks.


And last but not least, Denise, Thank you so much for being the Hugest support in my whole entire family. You have showed me what unconditional love truly means. I have heard you cry so many tears over Alicia and I and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for always being there for us. Alicia LOVED the walkie talkie's and she is so excited about seeing you in four days, and to play the game you bought her ( and she is really looking forward to putting the make up to use that mom got lol) Hurry and get here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I also want to thank Tina and Keith for this cute chair they sent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Alicia had quite a busy day. It started about 6:30 am, YES I SAID 6:30. The construction workers were literally at my window this morning banging and banging so loud it even woke Alicia, and that is hard to do with her hearing loss. Around 8:30 Robin from Home Health was here to give Alicia her Ivig and draw labs. While Robin was here Paula, Alicia's new PT Therapist came and Alicia had a lot of fun. She is going to focus hard on working with Alicia on using stairs. Alicia is not able to go up stairs yet, she has not gained enough strength in her legs yet. Then Jim her OT Therapist came and Alicia totally loves him. He worked with her for about an hour ( on his day off ) and then we finally got a nap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we woke up there was a knock on the door and it was no other than Ronald McDonald him self. Alicia was so tickled. They went out in the lobby and played hide and seek and she even tried to bribe him into taking her to McDonald's. She had so much fun with him.

Tomorrow was supposed to be our day off but I got a call from the Nurse practitioner this evening and one of Alicia's Med levels are to high so they want me to skip her dose of Tackilumis ( which is in replace of the Cyclosporin that caused the seizure) and bring her into the clinic first thing in the morning for more labs. After that she will have a class with her tutor then hopefully the rest of the day is our to finally relax!!!!!

TOY DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I need to as a Huge favor. My very good friend Reid ( Abby's Mom ) which I have spoke about many times on our blog is starting what she is calling a Toy Drive What she is doing is try to collect as many new toys as possible before Dec 12th. All of the toys that she collects are going to be donated to the BMT floor at Cincinnati Childrens where Alicia and I spent over 120 days inpatient. They do have to be New and still enclosed in the original wrapper due to the children's immune systems are very compromised. Many of the toys will also be given to Child Life on the BMT floor. They are a wonderful group of people who Keep the kids entertained and supplies all of the toys the kids get to play with.

I am sitting here looking at all of the toys Alicia got yesterday and all weekend for her Birthday and I think to myself that this is just to much for one child. I sooooo would not give back the smiles I seen on Alicia's face when she opened each and everyone of them but I would be so willing to let another kid share the same smile when she would open it also. If any one is interested in helping you can see the wish list for the children on Abby's carepage. It is carepages/visit abbypatterson. The address where to send the toys are Reid Patterson 458 Four Mile Rd Cincinnati Oh 45230. Reid you can count me in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know this is my one way to pay back what was given to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Pictures

Here are the pictures from Alicia's party and some with the boys.... As promised Above is Anshon and his new truck.....................................

The Birthday Princess.........................................

Anshon (up to something)..............................................

MeeMa and Jayshon.........................................................................

MeeMa and all three................................................................................


Mommy and Daddy.....................................................

Mommy and Alicia...........................................................

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!!!!!THE PRESENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THE MANY MANY SMILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY ALICIA


As I write this Alicia is still asleep. She is so worn out from her visit with Mommy and Daddy. I guess that it didn't help for me to wake her up at midnight to sing her Happy Birthday either.

My family has been calling all morning to wish her a Happy Birthday but I have not woke her. Erika FINALLY made it home. At least she is on her way. I now they left Detroit and they have a long lay over in Memphis but at least they are making it closer.

I will post more pictures tomorrow after her little party here at the RMH. Thank you EVERYONE who helped to make my Best friends Birthday a special one. I am so glad she will have many good memories to come out of this difficult journey and not only bad ones. Thank you so much for following and caring about Alicia.

Day +151

This weekend went very well. Alicia had the time of her life, but I am exhausted!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was soooooo glad to finally see my grandsons. Lil Anshon smiled so big when he seen me so my fear of him forgetting was smashed at the beginning. He is getting so big. He was quite jealous of Mommy and Alicia though. Every time he seen Alicia kiss "his" Mommy then he wanted a kiss and when Alicia was sitting in "her" Mommy's lap he wanted in Mommy's lap. It was so cute to watch. Jayshon is soooooo cute. He cries alot(very spoiled) all you have to do is pick him up and he is just fine. NOT!!!!!!! He has the cutest smile, I am going to miss them both so much.

Friday did get off to a pretty bad start. I would tell you why but I am sure Erika will be mad. (oh well, she missed her flight shhhhhhh ) They ended up only being two hours late so it was not bad at all. I decided to get a room next to theirs so Alicia could spend every minute with Erika as she could. It worked out great, I brought all of Alicia's meds to the room for the weekend and her Mommy was right next door. We didn't get her out, we went and bought food at the store and cooked so it was nice that the hotel had a kitchen in each room.

Saturday we all took turns going out to shop for Alicia's Birthday while one stayed at the hotel with the kids. Alicia even ate a lot better when Mommy and Daddy were here also. She also asked a lot of questions like when me and her could go fly, and she told Erika that she would be home soon and all of this was just out of the blue. I know she is feeling like she is ready to go home. Hopefully that will be soon.

Sunday was the best day ever. We had a little party for her and she was sooooooo happy. She Loved her Sponge Bob party ( thanks Allen and Laurie) The Hope for Henry Foundation sent her a Birhtdayn a box and they even sent her her very own first ipod downloaded with all sorts of Sponge bob and Dora movies. she loves it!!!!!!

I also want to say thank you to everyone who sent her cards and gifts. Alicia loves everything. I want to thank Dianne, John and Michelle for the many gifts and cards from family as well as the 2nd grade class at St Jacobi School. And thank you Peg for the Starbucks card and the cards from your class as well and thanks to our church back home, First Wesleyan, for coolest banner you all made Alicia and the pictures of the kids, Alicia has looked at them a million times. And thanks to Tina and her family for the awesome gifts you sent her and to Nikki and Sam she loved the baby doll ( i think she has already hooked up a central line to it ) and Thanks to Emily for the cutest stuffed animal, (she named it Hot Dog by the way ) And thanks to Roxanne, She has lipstick in almost every pants pocket now, lol. She loved the Hannah Montana Microphone. And a special thanks to Reid. You are an awesome friend and I know you already know that Alicia loved your gift, please tell Tricia thank you also. She also got so many cards, she loved the one you made Wesley, thank you. And thanks to Lynn, Holly, Emily, Bobbie, Chloene and Prince, Karen, Suzanne, Russ Ben and William, the Norlein Family, Dianne John and Michelle, Carol (Alicia loved the picture of your family, thanks) and oh yeah to Mia also 9 that is Abby's doll.

I hope I did not for get anyone, If i did i am sorry and thanks.

Tomorrow ( actually it is today here now) my best friend will be 6 years old. I am looking at her sleep as I am writing this and I am in such an awe. What 6 year old child should have to go through so much?????? The Lord has made us so strong through all of this, and I owe praise to him for the wonderful 6 years I have spent with her, and o the many more I hope to endure also.

She truly my heart and I owe so much to everyone reading this for making her Birthday sooooo special.

My family is probably saying "why did she not mention us in her thanks" well that is because when Alicia wakes up we are going to open her presents on her Birthday for you. You all know I would not be able to make it through this without your support so your thanks will come after tomorrow when we celebrate her BIRTHday.

But most of all Thank you soooo much Erika and Anshon. I know the problems you went through to get here for your baby, but you truly made her smile. She went to bed telling me that we are coming home soon and the both of you are who she is fighting to come home to. Thank you for everything this weekend!!!!!!

Well we are back to the routine after tomorrow. The Home Health nurse will be here to change her dressing and get labs tomorrow, then IVIG on Wednesday and Friday to Day Hospital for her other infusion. Dr Davis did switch her IVIG to only one a week and she changed her other med ( the one she reacted to) to oral so that took a couple of long days away from having to go to the hospital ( another step towards home!!!!) I will update how everything goes as soon as I find out. Thanks again everyone. I will close with a few pictures form her party, but I have a lot more and will post them soon.

Day +147

I fell in love with this picture so I thought I would share it with everyone. First off NO she does not wear dresses this time of year but Reid bought it for Alicia and the day she got it I could not get Alicia to take it off, she even slept in it. She LOVES it.

We got some results back today in Day Hospital. actually that is where we are right now. Alicia is asleep and has been alot of the morning but I guess she has a good reason to be tired. Her HBG came back this morning at 6.7 so we are waiting for her to receive red blood.

Her stool sample also came back and it showed white cells in it. They are not sure as to why yet so they started her on another med that will cover any virus but it also will make her not want to eat ( go figure ) Alicia has not ate well in almost two weeks. Her x-ray also show that she had alot of stool (poop) caked up inside of her which could be from not drinking much an the extra calcium they are giving her. They decided against giving her the rest of the infusion that caused the reaction last time and they said when will get it the first of next week.

We did get some good news this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alicia's Platelets went up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From 27,000 to 49,000 I am sooooo happy. This is the first time besides a couple of weeks ago since she got the transfusion on Sunday. This is a very good sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank everyone who has been sending Alicia cards for her Birthday. Sam ( our friend with fa and who went through transplant with Alicia) sent her the cutest card!!! it sang "celebration and Alicia started shaking her booty the moment she opened it. I laughed so hard.

We are still planning on celebrating Alicia's birthday on Sunday. Erika and I are going out Saturday to find that special present from Mommy while Alicia and Daddy stay at the room and get some much needed "them" time. Of course I am keeping the boys as close to me as possible this weekend. I am soooo excited. I just want to squeeze them and I only have 1 day left!!!!!!!

If I do not update this weekend I am very sorry but I want to spend as much time with my grandsons as possible. Have a good weekend I now I will.

Day +145 update

Well today turned out to be a very long and frustrating day. Alicia was such a trooper through it all. We finally got back to the RMH around 8:30.

Alicia had a bad reaction to the last med they gave her. After they started the Infusion around 5:30 Alicia started complaining of severe tummy pains and grabbing her tummy and then her heart rate went over 300. They stopped the med right away and she went back to feeling fine. They are going to try to give her the rest of the med on Thursday but slower this time and with pre meds.

We finally made it down to xray around 7:30. Alicia is very very tired and so am I. They also told me that there is white cells in her stool which to them means she is fighting some virus so they took more blood and cultures and I should know more tomorrow.

The day did finish well though. When we got back Alicia had gotten a birthday package from Dianne and Nikki. Thanks alot guys. She loved the baby and sticker art!!!!!

off to bed now I am beat!!!!!

Day +145

Well we are at the Hospital in Day Hospital and I have a feeling it is going to be a very long day. We arrived here at 8:30this morning and it is now almost 11:30 and all that has been done so far is they have taken 50 ml's of blood from Alicia, a stool sample and a urine sample. She still has three infusions that need to be done one that takes 3 hours one that takes two hours and the other takes an hour and a half. Her Platelets came back at 27,000 so they can probably wait until Thursday to give her those but her Hbg has not came back yet so she might need blood we do not know yet. I am sure she would after the LARGE amount they just took from her. They had to get blood for her Cbc's, then the Doctor wants cultures on both lines for any bacteria, they also did a Tac level and some other off the wall test I know nothing about. So to my calculation we will be here til 8 or 9pm.

I did forget one thing which might also put us here for a little while also, they are also doing an x-ray on Alicia's tummy to see if there is any issue's as to what is causing all of the tummy pain. So hopefully they will bring the Portable one up here if not then we will have to go to Radiology before we leave.

Alicia woke up this morning and told me to go find Mommy, it was sooo cute. When I told her she only had three days left she said, " go night night wake up, go night night wake up, go night night wake up then MOMMY HERE." I laughed so hard cause she was right.

I also caught her brushing her hair last night. She is getting more hair everyday. I took this picture so you could see how much hair she is getting.

Well I will update tomorrow with all of the results we get from the tests being done today.

Day +143

OK Today was the day I could not take it any more. For some reason after the third time in 30 minutes I finally said enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was smiling when I said this, and I tried to be as nice as I could be, but I had had it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kinda felt sorry for the nice man for being the one to finally push me over the edge but he understood LOL. Very politely I said " SHE IS A GIRL!!!!!!"

For the past two weeks it seems like everyone that passes by Alicia keeps say comments like "Hi little Fella" or " What a cute little Boy" or "How old is your Son" or this is the one that finally put me over the edge "Hey there little Guy"

At first when it started happening I just smiled and thought "O well they don't know, it is not their fault. Even on Halloween when they were passing out Trick or Treat bags the little girls got a Princess one and they gave Alicia a Spiderman. I just took it without saying anything because she had her own that we were using anyway, but "NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I am correcting everyone from now on. LOL

One time she was even dressed in all PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With her PINK light up shoes. And her PINK DORA coat, and PINK hat. I think all of the PINK would of gave it away but it didn't LOL. Little kids come up to me and ask me if "My little boy can play".

Thank you everyone for letting me vent. Alicia my GrandDAUGHTER is demanding my attention. She is still doing very well and is getting very excited about seeing Mommy and Daddy in 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day +142

Everything is still going well with Alicia, although we are driving each other crazy spending so much time just the two of us in this room at the RMH. Alicia still thinks that she has control of the TV and lights here like she did when she was in the hospital. Usually after about 15 minutes of arguing she wins and I just go get on the computer. The computer is the one thing she could never tell me that was hers... LOL.

We have another very bust week next week at the hospital. We have to be there every day but Thursday but I am sure they will find a reason for us to be there that day also. The Home Health Nurse is coming out Monday instead of Tuesday to do her IVIG. Hopefully Friday will be a short day since Mommy and Daddy will be here.

Yes I am still on the count down.............. 6 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just want to hug my grandsons sooooooooo bad. They are going to be tired of me before they leave!!!

Alicia started getting Birthday Cards Today THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She three today, one was from Karen from Denver, Carol ( Dianne , John and Michelle's friend) and the Flemings. Thank you guys soooo much. Alicia was soooo happy when she looked in our box and seen she had mail. This is prove of the Joy she felt, look at the smile on her face.....

Tomorrow starts her Birthday week. She is soooo excited, she keeps telling me "almost my Birthday"

I do not think the "real Sponge Bob' idea is going to pull through so we are just going to have a small party for her.

Thank you to everyone in advance who is planning on sending her a card to make this a "Special Birthday!!!!"

P.S

Happy 17th Birthday Jacy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day +139

Alicia is still doing very well!!!!! We had a little scare Tuesday morning, she woke up about 7am gagging like she was going to throw up so I stopped her feeds and she went back to sleep. I took her Temp every hour but she was fine. When she woke up she was acting like herself so I chalked it up to eating to many chips just before she went to bed.

Monday was a pretty quiet day, she had a clinic appointment in the morning and she did great. Tuesday morning she had class with Mrs Ellie and she learned the words that started with "M" like Mee-Ma!!!!! After class Jim her Therapist arrived and her worked with her for about an hour. Alicia took to Jim the very first time she met him which is unusual lately. Alicia seems to be kinda mean to new people lately but it is because of so many Doctors and Nurses messing with her. But she just loved Jim. Here are a couple of pictures during her Therapy session Tuesday........................

He has been working alot with strengthening her legs.

While Jim was here I got a call from the front desk telling me that I was going to have to move rooms again... YES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They assured me that it would be the last time, they are remodeling the bathrooms and the room they moved us to is already done. We are now in Rm 2.

It took me about five hours but I finally got everything moved and put away. I am so glad the Home Health Nurse was there giving Alicia her IVIG so it made it alot easier on me to get everything moved.

Today she had to be in Day Hospital for an infusion and Cbc. It all went well and her Wbc came down just a Little to 22.6. Her HBG also went down so we have to go back to Day Hospital in the morning for Red packed cells. Hopefully while she is there getting blood they can give her the infusions she is to get on Friday so we can have a 3 day weekend. Theo also came to see Alicia again in Day Hospital, Theo has saved me time and time again. Here is another picture of the two of them, Alicia decided to have Theo be the bald one today..................

I took this picture om Tuesday also. A friend of hers gave her this wig ( it has never been wore by anyone else )

I guess it is true that your hair color can change after transplant.... LOL

Tomorrow is going to be another long day so off to bed for me. Alicia has been asleep for a while now. I am still excited only 8 more days til Mommy Daddy and baby Brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone that is going to send Alicia a card during her "Birthday week Marathon of Cards" please do not forget that we switched rooms to Rm 2 and I thank everyone who is willing to do it to make her have a special week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day +137

Yes the picture is of Alicia in the hospital..............................................................

It wasn't a long stay though so I am not marking it down as a set back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alicia woke up Sunday morning with a nose bleed so we had to go and get admitted for a short while and get some Platelets. She is fine though. The weird thing is that when they sis a Cbc on her that her platelets actually came up for the very first time. They were at 29,000 on Friday so I was so sure they were way lower since she had a nose bleed but they came back at 34,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am very excited. We won't know if they actually are growing on their own now for a couple of weeks since she had to get transfused but I have high hopes now. And Yes Theo was there with her for her short stay also.

Today we had a Clinic visit and it went quite well also, I am so loving updating with all good news now instead of all negative like it has been. Alicia was very cooperative this morning with the Doctors and Nurses. They only trick to that was they had to let Alicia take their Blood Pressure and Temperature when they took hers.

Tomorrow is the day that the Home Health Nurse comes here to do her transfusions and she will also have school and Therapy, at least it is here and not at the Hospital!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11 more days til Erika will be here. I am so ready to see my grandsons that I am dreaming about it at night now. I also miss Erika so much. I can not wait to just go home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The four of them will be here early Friday afternoon. I am going to suck up every moment I have will all of them. Anshon is such an awesome Daddy and Alicia loves him sooooooo much.

I can not believe Alicia will be 6yrs old in 14 days. That is really throwing me for a loop. She is getting so big.

I will end this with a picture of Alicia and Dora, Yes she still loves Dora although Sponge Bob has taken alot of her time but she is still a HUGE Dora fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day +135

Yesterday really wore me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We arrived at the hospital for Day Hospital at 8:30am and did not finish until 5:30pm. Everything went well but Alicia had to get Three different infusions. She did not have to get Platelets though because her Platelets only dropped to 29,000 which Dr Davies said could be the first sign of her producing her own!!!!!!!!!! This is the longest she has went without needing a transfusion of Platelets. This Thursday will be 2 weeks. We have to be in the clinic Monday Morning at 9:30 and they will check them again, who knows maybe they will go up for the first time ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her Wbc went up even higher though, they were above 30 this time which still has me worried but I did have a meeting with Dr Davies Friday and she assured me that she was not worried that Alicia was 100% engrafted and they check for blasts (leukemia cells) every Cbc and it is not the case. She said it is the new Marrow going crazy with taking over her body. She said she was very impressed with Alicia's progress and she even said she gave me the Grandma of the year award for holding up as well as I have (Yeah Right)

So after a very long day at the hospital a friend of ours who we had met during transplant, Roxanne and Anthony, came and took us to her Hotel for a Halloween party they were having. BAD IDEA!!!! The minute we got Alicia down there my heart started beating a mile a minute and I said NO WAY and we took Alicia up to her room where there were NO KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She had such a fun time. It was like she was in a foreign country like she has never seen the "Real World" She smelled out her room like she was a dog, it was sooo cute. Alicia would take turns knocking on Anthony's door to trick or treat then Roxanne's, She had soooo much fun. Alicia even got to help Roxanne cook.

here is Alicia in costume, I also have one of Jayshon in his but Erika said Anson wouldn't cooperate so I did not get one of his..........................

I also wanted to include a picture of the shirt Alicia was wearing under her costume ( Thanks Reid ) I just love this shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and this picture I couldn't help but adding also, They're so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only 12 more days til they will be here HORRAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alicia has been complaining of a stomach ache all day. I have a feeling it is just the candy she ate, no fever so I have hid the candy and plan on sending alot home with Erika, LOL I am going to sneak it in Anshons pockets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for a moment we had yesterday that took my breath away............................. I feel aweful for not even realizing it but when were at Roxanne's she has a full size mirror on the back of the bathroom door, Alicia walked by it and froze in her steps.......... I about lost it. I said O my she has never looked in a mirror since transplant..... I had not even thought about it. Alicia was checking out her entire body. she too off her bandanna and lifted her shirt and turned her head all around. Roxanne, being a Kindergarten teacher came to my recovery. She kneeled beside her and told her how pretty she was and best of all she went and found a tube of lipstick that was never used and gave it to her and showed her how to look in the mirror and put it on. I know I sound retarded but that was a moment I will never forget.

Thanks Roxanne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!