The week in review

We continue to have good days. Maggie had her labs drawn yesterday (she gets them twice a week because she is on TPN. They want to make sure that Maggie's liver functions are good since TPN can harm the liver). With her TPN labs, they also draw a regular CBC. After talking to the nurse, her numbers are right where they like to see them. Her white count is at 2000-something and her ANC is at about 1500. These are the numbers they try to keep children at in maintenance. Maggie's potassium and glucose went back up as well (they were a bit low on Monday).

Along with the lab draw also came another re-access of her port. I was able to de-access Maggie earlier in the morning (taking the needle out of her port), so that she could get a bath and be "free" for a couple of hours. She hadn't bathed in 2 weeks, so it was much needed, especially after all of this food Maggie is snacking on all the time. Maggie has not enjoyed one re-access yet and knows immediately when it is coming. It's difficult to watch them do the procedure, but in the long run, the port will be beneficial as Maggie will be able to experience water whenever she wants. We just have to get to that point when she is not always being accessed.

Maggie is continually getting stronger. She has begun to allow us to hold her arms as she "walks." Though it doesn't last long, it's a start. She was doing much more of this before her last heavy dose of chemo. She is also beginning to "cruise" while holding the bathtub or couch. It's all about motivation to her though. Cruising (walking while holding onto something) and balance are what we are currently working on with the physical therapist. We just need to continue our good days and I think Maggie will make great strides in her walking.

Finally, I am posting a few pictures from this week. Since Maggie has been in such a good mood, I am trying my best to get pictures of her. Enjoy!This picture was taken 2 weekends ago at my aunt and uncle's house. Maggie loves animals and enjoyed watching the cows eat. She even had the courage to pet their ear!

A nice smile from Maggie-- one of the first pictures of us where we are both actually smiling.
Dr. Maggie Bixler in the making. Maggie found these items and immediately knew what to do with them. She needed help from us to get them on, but continued to take them on and off. Amazing what children pick up and yet sometimes a bit sad. She also has learned where the plastic needle tip goes when giving her "tubie" medicine. That one needs to be monitored though as she can create a big infection if the needle actually were to go in.
My mom will be grateful for this picture (since it relates to cleaning). Maggie is learning the tricks of the trade and enjoys sweeping our floors. Starting early...
Here's another picture of Miss Maggie helping me out. You'll notice that she has gained quite a bit of weight since the last pictures that were shown. It's nice to not see her skin falling off of her bones anymore. Maybe one day she'll again be within the 95th-percentile for weight and height (highly doubtful though). Regardless, we'll take any growth we can.