Making progress

Charlotte is responding to the meds and has been fever free for 24hours. Her playful and goofball spirit is back as well. Now we need her counts to rise and keep rising. In addition, further info from cultures is needed so we can narrow down her antibiotic but overall she is feeling better! The sudden impatient stay has enabled the team to also run some tests while we are here so that the BMT (bone marrow transplant) unit will have a baseline of all the necessary info before the next phase of treatment begins (various organ functioning like heart and kidney, hearing, developmental, etc). So we are hanging tight and hopefully next update is that we are home, perhaps as early as Thursday if her counts can jump up by then. She is still having some pain in her bottom area and says her mouth "stings" a little, but those side effects from chemo should diminish once her white cell counts are restored any day now.

Much love to you all...I leave you with a few pictures from today of her feeling some joy amid the hospital stay. Not pictured, and I'm serious when I say this, is her running outside in the court yard as I chase behind her with her IV pole (AKA R2D2 as we call it) and her hanging from a tree branch (as I am holding her because she likes to hang...), or me holding her hands as she jumps on the bed to 5 little monkeys. I'm just trying to keep up with this kid lol. She continues to charm the nurses and provide lots of entertainment for them. Many come by just to chat with Charlotte. This place has honestly become a second home to her, and that is both a blessing and a curse. As much as we don't want to be here, we need to be. And Charlotte brings the fun wherever she goes. Brian and I just try to buckle up and enjoy the ride with her. I wake each day thanking God for this ride, thanking Him for the fight. And we thank you for praying with us that this ride, with all of its ups and downs, will be a long one with a healthy happy Charlotte at the end of it.

Making slime. The mad scientist takes after her momma

Mad scientist with a glitter twist

Smiles

Manicures are a staple while inpatient these days

Showing off her nails

Art work thanks to a gift from the Denahans! This week her walls have many pieces

To help decorate and brighten up the room.

And some more rainbows from friends and loved ones. Several of these came with impeccable timing, right when Brian and I needed to see a rainbow. They are from all

Over the country. The last 2 are from 2 different friends yesterday who witnessed the amazing power of lightning and a rainbow simultaneously. I've never seen anything like that! Many of you were thinking of Charlotte when you noticed the rainbows. Just amazing❤️🌈❤️