I would like to start out with some Incredible news. As of Saturday, Kim's blood counts are showing her leukemia cell level is currently ZERO. By the end of her first month here at the hospital, she needed to be at less than 15% to avoid getting a bone marrow transplant (as neither Mike nor I are matches for her... we were really praying she wouldn't need it.) Less than 5% would have been amazing, and pretty rare. For her to be all the way to zero is a small miracle. It won't be official for a couple more weeks- they have to actually test her bone marrow again (poke the needle into her hip) but for now, we're thrilled!
Now, even if her level does stay at zero, she won't be officially rid of the leukemia just yet. She still has to undergo all five months of solid chemotherapy (basically go through the whole cycle that is making up this month four more times) and will have to do other follow-up treatment for a couple months after that (exactly what depends on how things go up to that point.) She will always have to have checkups to make sure it doesn't come back, or she doesn't get another kinds of cancer (you're more likely to develope another if you've had one.) BUT- this means it's working. And I KNOW she is doing so well because of her strength and spirit, and because of each and every one of you- your love, support, and prayers. Thank you!
Now, for other news since I last posted. For the first few days Kim was still sick to her stomach, but in recent days, almost all of her negative symptoms have been fading. She's getting back some of her energy, her eyes don't hurt anymore, her rash is fading away (you can still see it, but it's fading and doesn't itch at all anymore,) she's doesn't have the nausea anymore, and her lungs are clear of the fluids. Her bones have been aching, but this is actually a good thing- it probably means that they are starting to develope marrow again, and so all of her other cells. It's not showing up yet- basically ALL of her counts are at zero right now- red blood cells, white blood cells/ immunity, platelets, etc. So we still have to be very careful about germs. Also, though all of her insane bruises from before the diagnoses have faded away, she's started to get small ones again from little things she's brushed up against. This is because her platelet levels are so low. They also won't let her shave her legs with a razor, because if she cuts herself, she'll have a very hard time healing. They've been giving her more blood and platelet transfusions to combat it, and of course until her body needs to start showing it's producing again, bringing her levels up, before she can come home for her week. (Should be another week or two.)
The really big thing is that in just the past couple of days, her hair has started to fall out. We thought it would have lasted longer than this, but here it goes. So far it's been a very even process- so it's just thinning out overall, and not leaving bald spots, but it should probably all be gone within just a couple more days. She's trying not to let it bother her too much, as it was inevitable, but it's still a little hard to be able to run your hand through your hair and come away with handfulls of it. Aunt Leslie has already knit her two beautiful caps, and is making a couple more, and I brought her a couple from home. So... we'll make do!
This is a picture we took on Sunday. We've been collecting her hair in this bag. Just so you know, this is a Pose, and was very difficult to get. She kept cracking up and ruining the pout :)For those of you who have done sympathy-shaves and buzzed your heads in Kim's honor, please email me a picture of yourself! emmyhope634@hotmail.com I would like to add a special section to the blog for all of you.
Katie and Sue Dunn, our practically-cousin & aunt, came by to visit Kim and brought her an awesome puzzel and other activities and prizes. :) Thanks for visiting!
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