We've been very nervous around here, as you know, about Maggie's spots on her forehead. Short story for those who don't know it...two weeks ago Maggie started showing a few circular spots on her forehead, they grew in number to 6 or 7. We were very scared because Maggie's initial presentation of Leukemia was with spots on her scalp. We knew that these looked different than what we remembered of those, but the symptom was too close to a very painful memory. Our worries were out of control at times.
Fast forward two weeks...and it is very clear that the spots are harder to find, if not mostly gone. Since I was away from Maggie for 5 days this week, I noticed a definite difference Saturday when I saw her again. They are much improved from when I last saw her. Now, even Whitney is willing to say that they seem to be getting better. The one or two that were closer to her hairline had been the most troubling to Whitney (they looked a little bit different than the others), but tonight we are having a hard time finding any sign of them. This ordeal was no small deal for us. I would go so far as to say that it changed our lives. We are appreciating every moment with Maggie, and she is a blessing to us. Thanks for your increase in prayers for us during this time. We think it is mostly over at this point and it feels so very good.
As we mentioned in the last post, Maggie has a pretty nasty cold. It isn't too horrible during the day, but her drainage seems to collect overnight and by morning she seems to be laboring to breathe. It is hard to listen to, and it scared me when I first heard it this morning. We are hoping that it clears quickly. Whitney is wondering, too, if Maggie might have an ear infection. She has been playing with one ear a little bit, so that will be checked out.
Tomorrow (Monday) is the beginning of another round of treatment. IV Vincristine and a week of steroids await us. We are hoping that Maggie's IV nutrition helps her to manage the week okay. The side effects are always challenging, to say the least.
Finally, we would ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to Maggie, Alivia, Nan, Lincoln, Ally, and all other children battling cancer. And, one of Maggie's friends at the hospital in Dayton--Ashley--died this morning from AML, a different kind of Leukemia than Maggie's. She was 5. We are all praying for her family at this time.
3 comments:
Thanks for the update, Andy. I'm so glad those spots are going away. I cannot even imagine what the emotions you both were going through.
Will be praying for Maggie and her friends battling along with her. And esp. right now for Ashley's family. I don't know them, but my heart is heavy right now for them.
Dear Andy, Thanks so much for the detailed update on Maggie. I can't even imagine what went through you and Whitney's minds when you seen the spots on Maggie's head! I'm so glad they are going away!!! My heart goes out to all 3 of you! I think of you everyday and I want you to know how much I care! My sympathy goes out to Ashley and her family at this difficult time! I will continue to pray for Maggie and her friends as well, to overcome this illness they are ALL battling! My continued prayers and strength go out to ALL!!! Take great care! Love, Tina
I am so glad that you posted on Katie-Belle's site. Our computer keeps crashing and Stacey took all of our documents off and put them on his portable hard drive that he takes to work, so I haven't been able to find my way to Maggie's site without the link I had in a document. I am glad things are looking up and I hate to see that you guys had such a rough couple weeks of worry.
As far as Katie-Belle, I am relieved that the tests aren't showing any sign of relapse or blockage or pneumonia. Not knowing why or what to do to help her is scary and frustrating too though, as you well know. I have thought of you often as I struggle to care for Katie-Belle through exhaustion at times when she wants nothing to do with anyone else so much of the time now and most of her episodes are in the middle of the night and she won't let Stacey do anything.
I hope Maggie's rash resolves and counts normalize. I hope for some improvement with her gi issues.
I believe Katie-Belle's gut may be shutting down secondary to the vincristine as that is when it all started getting so bad and that the gi pain and belly distension are making her breatging more difficult.
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