Gallstones are relatively uncommon in children and are not normally seen as a side effect of cancer or chemotherapy. We will never know what caused Ashtyn to get gallstones. Gallstones are small, stone-like objects that form when the liquid in the gallbladder hardens. Ashtyn’s gallbladder had quite a few stones stored. Stones in the gallbladder don’t necessarily pose a problem until they spill into the … Read More →
A couple of days ago, in the afternoon of May 16th, Ashtyn threw up after eating a small lunch… a pretzel with cheese dip. I thought it was odd. She had not thrown up or been nauseated since February when she was extremely sick with mucositis. Thankfully, her stomach has tolerated chemotherapy quite well. I was puzzled by why her stomach was not feeling well … Read More →
CHANDLER (14 years old): When my mom and Ashtyn are in the hospital, I don’t get to see them as much. I don’t like it. It feels like there is an emptiness. It feels different. You can tell someone’s not there. The family’s not whole. Sometimes I can tell a difference even when I’m not thinking about them being gone. It’s sad not having my mom and … Read More →
Ashtyn has been home for almost five weeks and it has been wonderful. I can’t complain. It has been quite uneventful. What does she do all day? Normally, she doesn’t do much. She sleeps in, eats lunch, and relaxes in bed. In the evening she’ll usually sit on the couch and watch a few episodes of Chopped. Sometimes she will walk up and down the stairs for … Read More →
Saturday, Ashtyn and I had a peaceful night of sleep in the hospital. By 4 a.m. it was time to turn off the lights. I laid next to Ashtyn in her bed and fell asleep listening to her talk about the peace she feels in the hospital. “There is a spirit here that is stronger than at home. It feels like there are angels all … Read More →
Have I given you the impression that I’m always calm? If I have, it’s not true. I do freak out. It doesn’t last long but it does happen. Things have scared me much more lately than they did at the beginning. Wednesday I took Ashtyn to lunch at Blue Lemon with a friend and her cousin McKenzie. When we were ready to leave, Ashtyn and … Read More →
Today is day 6 of the 28 day home chemotherapy course and everything is going great. Friday, April 26th was day one. We went to the hospital at noon. After she was examined and her broviac central line dressing change was done, she sat in a chair while the IV chemotherapy drugs Ara-C and Cyclophosphamide were given. She also got her monthly IV dose of … Read More →
Have I made it clear how grateful I am for each one of you for taking the time to read this blog? Have I made it clear how much I appreciate the support you give me and Ashtyn by simply staying updated and informed? We are bonded with a common love and concern for Ashtyn. I would hug each of you as if you were … Read More →
On Monday a home health nurse visited Ashtyn and her blood was sent to the lab. The results came back showing a good white blood cell recovery. Her ANC was up to 700. The instructions were that Ashtyn can do whatever she wants and be in public without a mask. After the news came, Ashtyn started to think about what she wants to do. Each … Read More →
Friday “morning” I woke Ashtyn up at 11:30 a.m. and headed to the hospital for her bone marrow aspirate. “Why do they have to do it so early?” she asked with exhaustion. “It’s at noon which isn’t early.” (It really is early to her, since she continues to go to bed around 1 a.m. and wakes up for the day around 1 p.m.) Once at … Read More →
