Summer Eatin'

We went to our most dreaded lab today to get Maggie's blood drawn. In the past, Maggie has gotten blood drawn through either her broviac or her port, but since her port wasn't accessed today, they went through a vein in her arm to collect blood. Even before Maggie was diagnosed, when they tried to collect blood, they found her to be the hardest poke. The day Maggie was diagnosed, they spent almost 2 hours trying to find a vein to start an IV and were unsuccessful.

I went into the hospital today with the mindset of giving the technician two tries, and if they didn't succeed, they were not going to use Maggie as a pin cushion. After checking every option of her veins (they even considered the head since it has also been used once to collect blood), the technician said she had one chance with a vein (all the while Maggie was screaming because, to be honest, the tourniquet is the worst part). With all of us holding Maggie so that she wouldn't move (and let me tell you, she is one strong cookie), the technician was successful in drawing her blood.

We were so happy that it only took 1 poke and after Maggie was offered stickers, she was just fine. Even now, Maggie continues to point to her band-aid on her arm and "talks" about it. She is quite enamored with band-aids currently, as she will take the paper off and stick them onto her clothes at home. We're happy that it only takes stickers and pretty band-aids to calm her down. She's almost like a "normal" child.

So, with the lab draw, comes the results. I have been on edge for the last week wondering if she would be able to maintain her hydration and potassium. And along with that comes the apprehension of her counts and whether the chemo continues to do its job. I was telling Andy today that it takes one lab draw to completely change our life all over again. Hopefully we'll never experience that though.

Maggie's potassium is still a bit low. Normal potassium levels begin at 3.7 and Maggie is at 3.4. She has hovered in this area for the last 2 weeks or more. Her hydration levels are right on the border of being low as well. Normal hydration levels begin at 20 and Maggie is at 19.3. This is still okay, but we'd like to see it higher. The rest of Maggie's counts look good, which we are thankful for. We also had her weighed today and she is down to 22 lbs. 10 oz. She unfortunately has almost lost a pound in a week. This is disappointing, yet I knew it would happen as her food intake isn't great. Hopefully though we will be able to maintain her weight and not let it drop any further.

At this current point, I put in a request for Maggie's appetite stimulant to be increased, as well as her potassium. We will see what Dr. French thinks. Also, we are tentatively looking at going on vacation on Friday. This also will need to be given the official 'Okay' from Dr. French, but we are looking hopeful that it might occur. We all are in desperate need of a vacation as the last year has not been easy.

Please continue to pray for Maggie that she will increase in weight and food/liquid intake, and in doing so stay well-nourished and hydrated.

P.S. During my writing of this blog, I got a call from the clinic that we will be increasing her appetite stimulant, but keeping everything else the same. And the very important news that we have been given the okay to do a vacation!

Corn on the cob has become one of Maggie's favorites.

BIG Bite!