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How We Got Home
Saturday we really expected Ashtyn to be able to go home. She had met most of the discharge requirements. She was awake and alert, walked well, ate and drank enough, didn’t have significant pain, her temperatures were normal, and overall she looked really good. Thursday and Friday her white blood cell count (WBC) went up.…
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Getting Ready to Get Out of Here
I knew the first week Ashtyn was diagnosed with cancer that it was going to be a long road. I also knew that there would be bad days, good days, scary days, peaceful days, unpleasant days, enjoyable days, dark days, and fun days. Today was a good, peaceful, enjoyable, and fun day. Nothing spectacular happened……
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Progress
Ashtyn’s white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count have not changed or improved from the time she started chemotherapy 32 days ago. That is what we have been praying for. But guess what? It’s OK. Ashtyn is doing good. Really good. Today her face is perfect. Both the swelling and the rash are completely gone.…
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From Ashtyn
I was Ashtyn’s scribe tonight as she shared some of her thoughts: I don’t think Ethan and I, or Morgan and I, or Chandler and I, are going to fight much anymore. We are closer now even though we aren’t together. I feel it in my heart. I can feel them with me. I’m glad…
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Faith
I have always found myself looking ahead and planning for the future. Change has never been a fear of mine. When things don’t end up how they were envisioned, I adapt. Naturally I look at Ashtyn’s health the same way. I don’t know the future, though I can’t help but think about it. It doesn’t matter what…
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24 Hour Focus
I couldn’t say it better than Shelley. “I can’t wait to dedicate our family’s fast for Ashtyn this Sunday so that her white blood cell count will go up and that she can go and spend time with her family, and that her rash and sores in her mouth heal quickly. I have never been…
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Ribbon Tying to Show Support
Today I was woken up by a phone call from a reporter for Fox 13 News Utah. From 11:45 am to 1 pm Canyonview Elementary School had plans to tie lime green ribbons around the school to show their support for Ashtyn. The news channel was covering the story and the reporter wanted to interview…
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Consider the Blessings
Ashtyn looks so much better than a week ago. She isn’t nearly as sick, however she still feels crummy. Of course she does. I have no idea what it feels like to have no white blood cells, low platelets, and have a body that is recovering from chemo. Her throat and mouth continue to hurt. Swallowing is…
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Ashtyn’s Army
Ms. Fricker, one of Ashtyn’s teachers at Canyonview Elementary school, commented “Know the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child?’ Well, it takes an army to kick cancer’s butt out of that village. Help show Ashtyn she has an amazing army behind her. She is a tough little girl and is fighting one…
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Perspective
Ashtyn and I have different perspectives of time. We have been in the hospital for 27 days and it has gone by very fast for me. There is not a moment of boredom where I can kick up my feet and wonder what I should do with my time. There is always something to do.…