Saturday, September 25, 2010

Game Plan

We headed back to the Hematology/Oncology Clinic today to have more blood work done and test Averi’s platelet count again.  As promised on Tuesday, she needed another platelet transfusion (she was down to 23 again).

I took Kaili along with us assuming she could play at the Clubhouse (she loves it there) but they were too full and she had to hang out in the waiting room.  After having Averi’s blood taken and waiting 45 minutes for the results, we headed back for the transfusion.  Little did I know it would take over 2 hours for the platelets to even arrive.
(Luckily there are individual TV's on the transfusion chairs.  The girls were sucked in.  I love Averi's expression.)

All in all, we were there 4.5 hours and both the girls were really good sports about it.  The nurses even managed to get Averi’s IV in on the first try.  Apparently she only has one vein, because they used the same vein in her right foot that was used for the last transfusion and for her biopsy.
(Check out the size of the board they put on her leg.  I guess they didn't want the IV coming out.)

Earlier in the week Dan and I talked it over and called Averi’s doctor to set up a time to start the chemo.  While we were waiting today, she came and talked to me to work out the details.  My mom is coming next weekend for Averi’s Buddy Walk on October 3rd and she offered to stay for the whole week and help us out.  Since Averi will just continue to get worse and need more transfusions, we decided to give it a go.

Here is the game plan.  Averi will be admitted to the hospital in the evening on Sunday, October 3rd to have her blood checked again and be given another transfusion if necessary.  This will also allow them to work her into the OR sometime early Monday morning for her central line placement and the first spinal tap and chemo placement.

She will spend the rest of the day getting tests done to check the function of all her organs (chest x-ray, echo, etc.).  Anything that doesn’t get done Monday will happen Tuesday morning.  The actual 4 day chemo treatment will probably start Tuesday afternoon sometime, and then it’s all up hill from there. :)

6 comments:

Glenn and Melanie said...

They are such cute sisters together. Sometime I wonder what all of this will mean to Kaili. I can't wait to see both of them next week!!!

Celeste Ferguson said...

You have been in my thoughts. Good Luck with everything. We love you, and will keep praying for sweet Averi! :)

Vanessa said...

So it begins. I wish I could be there to help, too. Good luck Averi!!

Tina said...

I love the look kids get when they et sucked into tv/books. Cute. Up hill we go!

Lauren in GA said...

The girls look so cute. I also love the picture of Averi with her lollipop. I will pray that all goes well and she won't feel too sick from the chemo. Sweet baby, girl.

Shantel said...

We're thinking about you guys! Know that I'm available to come up and help too if needed- I would be happy to!