Today: Charlottes FINAL stem cell transplant!
Today, Charlotte received her second and FINAL stem cell transplant. This will help rescue and rebuilt her damaged bone marrow that ensued after this last weeks FINAL chemo. The staff here refers to this moment as a patients new birthday. So many milestones, and so many check marks, and so many emotions. Now we sit back and watch her cells grow again! Unfortunately, the most difficult symptom from last time is quickly rearing its ugly head: mucositis😞 BUT we know and pray that if all keeps continuing as expected, even the difficult and painful aspects, then we will be grateful.
Charlotte had had a lot of nausea during this chemo cocktail which has seemed to hit her hard and fast. But out of the blue, it seems to be quickly resolving over past 2 days! The only true hiccup we have encountered this time in Bone Marrow Transplant is that 2 days after admission, Charlotte showed signs of a respiratory virus after spiking a high fever. So the team swabbed her nasal passages to look for a virus if any was present. We were put on isolation, confined to her room. Monday the results returned positive for rhino virus. Good news is that it's just a typical cold virus and shouldn't cause any complications during transplant. Bad news is that in order to protect other patients from this virus, Charlotte will need to remain confined in isolation to her room for the duration of our time here. If Brian or I need to leave her room for any reason, we have to wear protective gear and mask and gloves. If Charlotte's symptoms resolve (just a runny nose at this point), then she may be cleared to atleast take a walk in the hallways but no playroom. Spending a month in a small room will be tough on her, but I have beared witness to several things over the past week that has helped my perspective. Charlotte is doing remarkable things. We have so much to be thankful for and celebrate. We are here with important work to do that starts with her healing and requires our focus on helping her cells grow. We can do this. It won't be easy, but what in this world that is truly worth while ever easy. It's in the difficult journey that the rewarding treasures are revealed. This much we have learned. We may be in isolation, we may be watching our daughter endure more pain as her body conquers and heals, we may not be together as a family for Thanksgiving, we may be tired from the sleepless nights that a hospital can bring...but those are TEMPORARY small matters. This transplant is Charlotte's PERMANENT bone marrow that will ensure she can continue to survive and face the rest of the treatment in front of her. And Brian and I are so thankful for this little girl and this chance. And we are so thankful for all of you, our amazing and encouraging village. Happy Thanksgiving to you all❤️🌈
Charlotte had had a lot of nausea during this chemo cocktail which has seemed to hit her hard and fast. But out of the blue, it seems to be quickly resolving over past 2 days! The only true hiccup we have encountered this time in Bone Marrow Transplant is that 2 days after admission, Charlotte showed signs of a respiratory virus after spiking a high fever. So the team swabbed her nasal passages to look for a virus if any was present. We were put on isolation, confined to her room. Monday the results returned positive for rhino virus. Good news is that it's just a typical cold virus and shouldn't cause any complications during transplant. Bad news is that in order to protect other patients from this virus, Charlotte will need to remain confined in isolation to her room for the duration of our time here. If Brian or I need to leave her room for any reason, we have to wear protective gear and mask and gloves. If Charlotte's symptoms resolve (just a runny nose at this point), then she may be cleared to atleast take a walk in the hallways but no playroom. Spending a month in a small room will be tough on her, but I have beared witness to several things over the past week that has helped my perspective. Charlotte is doing remarkable things. We have so much to be thankful for and celebrate. We are here with important work to do that starts with her healing and requires our focus on helping her cells grow. We can do this. It won't be easy, but what in this world that is truly worth while ever easy. It's in the difficult journey that the rewarding treasures are revealed. This much we have learned. We may be in isolation, we may be watching our daughter endure more pain as her body conquers and heals, we may not be together as a family for Thanksgiving, we may be tired from the sleepless nights that a hospital can bring...but those are TEMPORARY small matters. This transplant is Charlotte's PERMANENT bone marrow that will ensure she can continue to survive and face the rest of the treatment in front of her. And Brian and I are so thankful for this little girl and this chance. And we are so thankful for all of you, our amazing and encouraging village. Happy Thanksgiving to you all❤️🌈
The magic is happening. Charlotte receiving her stem cell transplant this afternoon
Resting after battling a lot of nausea
Last night, out of the blue moment before daddy came to visit her nausea subsided
Daddy's girl
These two
We do our nails daily. We have a lot of time to fill haha
Mommy girl too
Out of the blue, after days of feeling just awful, she got this burst of playful energy yesterday! Ice skating while getting some time off her IV pole for a little while.
Thankful has a new perspective and you guys are so inspiring, your Village is so thankful to have you all in our lives. We are praying hard, always. #charlottestrong
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