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Patience will Pay Off
Saturday and Sunday many people prayed and fasted for Ashtyn. We prayed for her specific needs that her rash would go away, her throat would feel better, and her total white blood cell count (WBC) and absolute neutraphil count (ANC) would go up. Sunday night Ashtyn wanted me to sleep in her bed with her.…
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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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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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Bootcamp
I am amazed as I look back on the past week. Saturday and Sunday I asked for anyone who could to fast and pray. We wanted Ashtyn’s rash to go away, her throat to feel better, and her white blood cell count to go up. When I woke up Monday morning why was I disappointed…
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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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Are We Really Strangers?
Since Ashtyn was diagnosed with cancer at the end of January, we have received many messages on the website and Facebook Many times we have heard phrases such as, “I don’t know you.” “We have never met.” “I just came across your blog.” “You don’t remember me Ashtyn, but I knew you when you were young.”…
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Heading Back
From the moment I heard that Ashtyn had cancer, I never believed the path would be easy. I understood her journey would be a roller-coaster. I knew I needed to cherish the happy times. During difficult times I knew I needed to have hope that good times would come again. This week was a good…
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Home Away from Home
I didn’t necessarily rush to the hospital this morning. At noon Ashtyn and I walked into the hospital, took the elevators straight up to the 4th floor, washed our hands at the entrance of the immunocompromised unit, and was greeted at the door by our nurse. Ashtyn was quietly upset she was assigned to a different room…
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Side Effects
Ashtyn was very tearful today. She is not only struggling with having to be in the hospital for an unknown amount of time but she also is dealing with side effects from the chemotherapy drugs being given. She started four of the five chemotherapy drugs she’ll be taking for the next two weeks. Chemotherapy drugs…
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Prayer is Part of Our Routine
After spending 45 out of 48 days at Primary Children’s Hospital, Ashtyn and I know the routine. Attending, fellow, and resident doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, child life specialists, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, house keepers, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, techs, volunteers, psychologists, integrated medicine specialists, and parents of other patients are becoming familiar and conversations are…