Luv Ya!
Luv Ya!>With those words, Catie went to bed, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. I had told her that when she went to bed I was going to send an update to the people who have logged on to her website and I asked her if there was anything she wanted to say to all of you. Usually she shakes her head no, especially lately as we get only glimpses of the fireball 7 year old with the 1000 kilowatt smile. Tonight however the child we said goodnight to was smiling, giggling, threatening to tickle Christine and me, and as close to her old self as she has been for quite some time. Perhaps it was that she was back in her own bed at Target House, perhaps she genuinely felt better than she has in a while, perhaps it was the belly full of mashed potatoes that she had eaten as a snack after she had them for dinner as well. Perhaps it was a gift from God because of all of your prayers to two parents that needed a glimpse and glimmer of “Catie” so that we remember why we are doing all that we are. Whatever the reason, we are grateful and Catie wants y’all to know that she “Luvs ya!”
Since we last updated you, Catie had a day of receiving back her own bone marrow, and another day of rest. The infusion of the bone marrow back to Catie really made her sick and one of the strange side effects of the procedure is that she smells like creamed corn mixed with V-8 juice, it is not a pleasant combination. She was wiped out and feeling kind of “punk” after the infusion and into today, but she started to rally as we began to pack up for the trip out of the hospital and back to Target House. She walked downstairs and into the driveway in front of the Chili’s Care Center and then proceeded to trip on the handle of the little red wagon that I had yet to put away and scraped her knee. No big deal unless you happen to be recovering from chemotherapy and your body’s ability to blood clot or fight infection is compromised. She should be ok as we were able to quickly dress the wound and clean it. We made it back to Target House without further incident and unpacked. Catie took a nap and when she awoke she had servings 1 and 2 of mashed potatoes. She nibbled on a small piece of pear and drank a few ounces of water. Her food intake and the battle that accompanies every conversation about it looks to be the most difficult part of the next phase of her recovery. Please continue your prayers that she regains some appetite.
After we had our potatoes, we left the apartment with Catie’s germ fighting mask in place and headed for the supermarket where we walked each and every aisle looking for any positive response from Catie for the myriad of food products offered. Nothing tickled her fancy. We left there and picked up a movie and then returned home. Catie took her bath, (by far the event she cherishes the most of her daily routine), and then she had helpings 3 and 4 of mashed potatoes. (Not to worry, this was a new batch as any food prepared for Catie must be consumed within 1 hour of preparation else bacteria growth might attack her from within.) We all sat and watched a movie and she is sleeping comfortably with a smile etched on her peaceful face. We are blessed. Tomorrow has a few appointments back at St. Jude and then we will see what she is up for and go from there. Christine is as amazing as ever and has packed an “away” bag for any unscheduled trips back to the hospital that arise with the onset of a fever of sign of an infection. Most of the health care professionals at St. Jude seem to treat such visits as foregone conclusions; we will see. I love my bride more than ever as I witness the continual sacrifices she makes to save our daughter. I know that Catie will beat this and we will all be reunited, and I am blessed to have the time together with them now. Thank you to all of you that continue to make my visits possible.
Two side notes from today. Catie, for the first time in 5 months had no mail in her mailbox. She does have a few emails to read in her guestbook. Thank you to all of you who have sent her so many letters, cards and emails, they have been amazing to her in their ability to continue to lift her spirits. The other funny from the day was on the way back to Target House after the scraped knee. Christine and I were each upset by the event because we have heard the horror stories of kids getting a scrape and ending up in the hospital for weeks of anti-biotic treatments, but it was only after Christine glared at me for leaving the wagon where Catie could trip on it and told me that I was not allowed back to Memphis that God gave me the words to diffuse the tension. I looked at her and said, “You’re right Christine, this is really bad and she will probably die from the scrape on her knee, why don’t we save some time and just take her out back and shoot her?” We both broke out laughing and calmed down until Catie asked for clarification from the backseat of the car. She wanted to know if I was going to shoot her or Christine. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, we will keep you posted and remember………we luv ya!
God bless from St. Jude’s,>Catie, Christine, Kevin, Maggie, Max, Mia, Molly, and M.E. (and Megan)
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