Sweet little Autumn has been doing so well lately. Minus the occasional whininess and lack of hair, more than usual, she seems to take this whole process in stride.

Yesterday, Autumn again found herself in Santa Barbara to have another blood count, something that will most likely occur each week. Her platelet count was low, just as it was on Tuesday. For that reason, she had to stay (with grandpa) to get another platelet transfusion. The whole process is shorter than a hemoglobin transfusion which makes the process that much easier and more acceptable for her. :)

The four day chemo regiment she had two weeks ago had really taken its toll on her cells. I suppose it is a good thing to know it is working, but such a tough idea to think of all of her good cells dying with the evil cancer cells. Someday, it will be fabulous to create a drug that knows to take out just those cancer cells, leaving all else in tact. The problem is that our bodies contain so many rapidly dividing cells such as blood cells, hair cells and taste buds. ALL of these cells are being destroyed along with the cancer cells when one undergoes chemotherapy. It may even affect short term memory. Once in awhile, Autumn will be in the middle of retelling a story and cannot find the words to complete her thought. It may be that she is just tired from all of the medication, but it's tough to say!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Thank you again for all of your loving support and kindness towards our family through this crazy time of our lives.

Love, Autumn and family

Autumn had to have her blood drawn yesterday to be sure that her counts (white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets) are high enough for good health. Last week her hemoglobin was quite low and she needed a blood transfusion. Yesterday, her platelet count was very low and we had to give her a platelet transfusion poor baby! Everything seemed ok until she barfed a few hours later! With the help of a little Zophran (anti-nausea medication) and Zantec, she was much better by bed time. Today we are taking it slowly and just hanging out...

So far, we have had a mellow week with not a lot of activity until yesterday. Autumn has to have her blood drawn each week to make sure that all of her various blood (hemoglobin and a variety of different white blood cells) are all high enough not to have any concern. This week she had her blood drawn on Wednesday and as it turned out, she had lower than acceptable hemoglobin levels. The accepted range begins at a level 7 and she was at a 6.4, my heart sank. It feels terrible when it seems as though everything is going as well as it can given the current circumstance. News like this, although not catastrophic, has a way of creating mental images and thoughts that can be a parent's worst nightmare!

It had been about 6 days since her 4 day dose of chemo, the lowest level of any measured blood levels is usually found by day 10. This means that the 6.4 could potentially become a 5 or 4 or even lower. This depressed level may cause too much fatigue as well as other issues if not swiftly dealt with. Therefore, Autumn had to return to the hospital on Thursday for a blood transfusion (about a 5 hour process in the hospital). It all seemed to go well and in fact she seemed to have more energy afterwards, a general rule after a transfusion. More hemoglobin equals more energy, good for her!

We will have to go to the clinic in Santa Barbara on Tuesday to see what her counts are at that point. If they are high enough, then she begins the second four day dose of chemo followed by a 2 week break. At that point, we only have to go in once a week for about 5 weeks, then again the 4 consecutive day process.

Some of you have asked if we would like some company on the days we head to SB for just one day. We would LOVE it, if you or perhaps you and a little one would like to join us. It usually takes about 4-5 hours from the time we leave home to the time we return and we usually go on Tuesdays. Let me know anytime, the company would be well received!

We love you all!
Autumn and family

Autumn has had a great week so far, even after the four day stint last week. We'll have to have her blood drawn today to check her counts to make sure all is well. It's the only trip she'll need to make this week! :)

My Aunt's friend Wendy ran a marathon this past weekend and had Autumn's picture on her shirt. Wendy is a cancer survivor

Some fun Easter Pictures from this weekend!

Plan everything, then have no expectations...I guess that is a way to look at life, isn't it? We have ideas all the time about how we should live, what we should be doing, what will make us happy, but do we really KNOW what those things are? We like the idea of planning because it gives us a goal, something to look forward to, a dream. However, I have to admit that it can change, your plan can change, along the path of life and it could even be for the better, even if it doesn't seem that way at times.

The past three days in the hospital have gone much better than I could have ever planned. I have had some time to spend with my girls with little expectation of "getting things done". It has been more fun that I would have imagined!

Autumn is taking all this chemo in stride, I half-joked with the nurses that they must be giving her water because she is doing so well! I hope she continues on this path. She lacks an appetite which is not so good, but they do say it will come back in the coming week. We will have to return here in 2 weeks again for another 4 day stay, but then we are back to once a week for awhile.

I hope those of you on Spring Break are doing well!!! I have to once again thank you all for your love and support through all of this, it has been nothing less that marvelous! My friend Kristen Jones who sells Aloette products had a fabulous fund-raiser for Autumn last week. Sarah has put together a Care Calendar that many of you have so graciously been a part of to bring us such delicious dinners! My dear friend Alex, pregnant with her third child while working and moving found time to create a Pay Pal donation site for us. And Autumn's grandpa and grandma who are selling bright orange (the color for kidney cancer) wrist bands. There have been soooo many of you out there, what a wonderful community of family and friends!!

We love you all!
Autumn and family