June 30, 2009

We are at Children's Hospital for her treatments today. We arrived here at 9 a.m. this morning. Her nurse accessed her in the clinic and then we saw the Kim the Nurse Practitioner. She gave us the results of Trystan's scans. The bone scan showed the same area as before, the CT scan of the chest was clear, and the MRI showed that the lesion is almost completely gone! We cried we were so happy to hear all of this great news!! The tumor is responding great to the chemotherepy. Praise the Lord! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. God continues to answer all of the prayers that we and everyone is doing. After this treatment she will have one more, then after counts come back up she will go in for surgery to replace the affected bone. After recovering from sugery she will then go through another six treatments of chemo. Please continue to pray for Trystan and our family.

June 29, 2009

Alyssa and I took Trystan for counts this morning in Maryville. We then went to meet my mom in Edwardsville to go to pick up Trystan's wig. She looks so beautiful with her new hairdo!!! After picking up her hair we got our call from the doctor's office letting us know that she made counts for chemo. We are to be at the clinic by 9 a.m. tomorrow morning to have her port accessed and to see the doctor. I believe we should find out then what the results are to all of the scans she had done last week. Please pray that the chemo is doing its job and shrinking the tumor and not spreading anywhere else.

June 28, 2009

This morning we all went to church together which we haven't been able to do in quite a while. We also went to two different cousins birthday parties today. Happy 6th Birthday Cadence and 7th Birthday Tyler!! Trystan will be going for counts tomorrow morning to see if she makes it for chemo on tuesday.

June 27, 2009

Today was another good day. Although it was really hot outside and for the bulk of the day the girls had to play inside, we did set up the sprinkler again in the shade early evening for the girls. They both had a good time in it! We went out for dinner as a family this evening, which we haven't been able to do much since Trystan started chemo. It was very enjoyable! Thank you God for another good day with our precious girls.

June 26, 2009

Today we had a pretty good day at home. The girls played all day together and late in the afternoon we set up the sprinkler in the shade for the girls to enjoy. Alyssa seemed to enjoy it a little more than Trystan. Trystan thought that the water was much too cold. I would have to agree with her on that. Thank you God for another wonderful day with our girls!

June 25, 2009

Today we went to Children's to have an MRI, CT scan and bloodwork done. The CT scan was to be of Trystan's chest and the MRI of her lower right leg where the tumor is. The first nurse we had come into the room was to access Trystan's port, which she was unsuccessful. The nurse seemed to want to use Trystan like a pin cusion! I immediately got on my cell phone and called up to the clinic for help. They sent down one of their nurses to access her port. Once accessed, the nurse was able to draw the blood for counts. Tracy went into the room with Trystan when they gave her the anestesia. Once she was out we were free to go eat lunch and wait for the procedures to be finished. We no sooner got down to the cafeteria, got our food, and sat down to eat when the pager they gave us began to go off! We were both very worried since it had only been about ten minutes and they told us the entire wait would be about an hour to an hour and a half. I raced back to the outpatient area and asked what was the matter. The same nurse that couldn't access Trystan's port had "accidentally" paged us instead of someone else! I told her that she gave my husband and I a heart attack! She just responded, "Sorry about your heart attack." Turned around and walked away. I went back down to the cafeteria and told Tracy. He just said that maybe she should go home since she is having such a rough day. I agreed. While waiting, we received a call from the clinic to let us know that Trystan didn't make counts for her chemo admission. We would have to go get counts again on Monday morning for possible admission on tuesday of next week. She also told us that we will need to restart the "superhero" shots since her white cell count and anc have dropped back down. We will be giving her a shot today, tomorrow, and saturday.

After Trystan woke up from the anesthesia. She was hungry and ready to go! Of course it isn't that easy. They like for the kids to try to eat or drink something before they leave to be sure there isn't any vomitting. Trystan had a popsicle and was able to keep it down, so we were on our way home! She ate a really good late lunch and supper. Poor thing went about 18 hours with nothing to eat. We should find out the results of the scans in three to five business days.

June 24, 2009

Trystan and Alyssa had a good day together today. It's the good days like today that we used to take for granted. I spoke with Hem/Onc this afternoon and asked if Trystan makes counts tomorrow if they could admit her for treatment friday instead of monday. The nurse looked into it and spoke with the doctor. When she called back she asked if she makes counts tomorrow if it would be o.k. to keep her after her scans for treatment tomorrow afternoon. Tracy and I thought that would be o.k. We just want her to be feeling well enough on July 4th so she would be able to enjoy some fireworks. We will be going in for MRI and CT scans tomorrow and have to be at Children's by 10:30 a.m.

June 23, 2009

Today we went wig shopping and were able to order one for Trystan. It should be in next week monday. Early this evening we went into town to meet my cousing Crystal and her daughter Megan. Megan wanted Trystan there when she got her hair cut. Trystan was given the scissors to cut off Megan's hair. I think she had a good time today!

June 22, 2009

God has answered yet more prayers! Trystan did not get a fever after being injected for the bone scan. She also layed pretty still throughout the entire scan. Her scan lasted about an hour. Also, we had bloodwork done at the clinic this morning. Her hemoglobin has come down a little but is still in the "o.k." range. The white blood cell is now in a "safe" range. Lastly her plateletts have come up very little and are still in an unsafe zone. We were told that she will probably not be admitted for her next treatment until monday, June 29th. Since her ANCs are now at a safe number, we will be taking Trystan to look at wigs tomorrow morning. She is so excited about that!

June 21, 2009

We had another good day today. Tomorrow we will be heading to Children's for counts and a bone scan. Please pray that Trystan's counts are continuing to climb. Also, pray that she is able to lie still for the bone scan and that the chemo treatments are shrinking the tumor.

We appreciate all of you who continue to follow Trystan's progress and pray for our family.

June 20, 2009

Today was a much better day for all of us. The girls had a great time playing today. The ladies from Make-A-Wish came by to talk to us and to Trystan. When they arrived they brought gifts for both Trystan and Alyssa. While they were here, we filled out paperwork with them and they asked Trystan questions. They also asked her what her wish was so they could grant it for her.

June 19, 2009

There wasn't any vomitting today! Thank goodness. We continued with the shot today, which she was not at all happy about. However, early this evening Trystan and Alyssa played outside in the little rain we got. They also took their bug box and caught an ant, lady bug and a few lightening bugs! It's the little things like this that can make a day so much brighter!

June 18, 2009

Trystan got sick this morning, but soon after she wanted to eat breakfast. I got her her favorite from McDonald's on the way to get counts. She did eat about half and was able to keep it down. Finally spoke with someone from the doctor's office about her counts. They have dropped again! Her plateletts are just above when they would have to begin evaluating her to see if she may need a transfusion. But as of right now she isn't in need of a transfusion. Her hemoglobin is pretty stable. The white blood cells have also dropped. We are to continue her "super hero" shots through the weekend and are to go ahead and report to the clinic monday morning. They will check her counts when we get there. We were told to pack a bag just in case we are to stay for treatment. But as of right now she is nowhere near high enough for treatment. Trystan is also scheduled for a bone scan late monday morning.

June 17, 2009

Today was not a good day for Trystan. She woke up this morning with trouble swollowing, chewing, and talking. After pressing around on the side of her neck I decided that she may have an ear infection. I spoke with her nurse at Children's and she suggested that I try to get her in to see her Primary Care Physician. We went in this afternoon to see the doctor. When we got back to the room Trystan got sick. The doctor came looked in her ears and throat. Her left ear was in fact red. She said that her throat looked a little red but that could also have been from vomiting. Trystan was prescribed and antibiotic. I went to pick it up and we headed home. On the way home she got sick again. Once we got home she fell asleep for a couple of hours. We have to watch for fever closely since her counts were so low on monday her body isn't able to fight infection very well. We will be heading for Maryville tomorrow morning for counts. Hopefully, I will have good news that her counts are up, she's feeling better and eating again.

June 16, 2009

Trystan did much better today. She ate pretty well and there was no vomitting! Praise the Lord!!

June 15, 2009

Trystan got sick this morning before we went for counts. When Mary stuck her finger, it bled alot! I thought for sure when the doctor's office called that we would have to go in for a blood transfusion on plateletts. The doctor's office called a little before 2 p.m. and said that her plateletts were low but not too bad. Her white blood cells are very low, so we will have to continue her "super hero" shots at least until thursday when she gets counts next. The rest of today has gone pretty well. She hasn't gotten sick since this morning. Please pray that her counts will continue to rise and the nausea will subside.

June 14, 2009

Trystan had a pretty good day today. She slept in until almost nine and was ready to eat lunch by 10:30! I was happy to hear she wanted to eat. Alyssa and daddy went to church this morning together, while Trystan and I stayed home to rest.

June 13, 2009

We got to come home today! Before we left the nurse gave her a "super hero" shot. This shot is to help boost her white cell count. Just after the shot she had her port deaccessed. She gets very upset when these two thing happen on discharge day. Shortly after the nursed finished, Trystan got pretty sick.

On our way out to the car we took the girls through the garden at the hospital. They both really enjoy Children's Hospital's roof garden. It is so beautiful!

Trystan did get sick on the way home and also when we got home. The appetite for eating is now obsolete! Please pray that the vomitting would subside and her appetite would return.

As always thanks to all of you who continue to follow Trystan's progress and pray for her!

June 12, 2009

Today they moved the treatments up another two hours. The first started right about 10 a.m. Before they could start the second Trystan needed to be premedicated because of her previous allergic reaction. They had been giving both premed drugs through her iv; however the benedryl was causing a drop in her blood pressure. Yesterday the doctors decided to have Trystan take the benedryl orally. This seemed to help her not to have such a severe drop in her blood pressure. Today when I tried to give her the benedryl orally she choked/gagged on it and vomitted. The nurse checked with the doctors to see if she could get it through her iv since she was now to nauseated to take it orally. They did allow her to get it through her iv. Thank goodness! The rest of the treatment went pretty well. Later in the afternoon Trystan also had to receive hemoglobin because it was at too low of a level. She did very well with the transfusion.

June 11, 2009

Today Trystan woke up not feeling real well, but later was hungry. She ate no breakfast, a little lunch, and a pretty good supper. She is still not vomitting. I am hoping that since we are just about finished maybe she won't get sick. We were told today that her hemoglobin is low and will need a transfusion tomorrow afternoon. Her white blood cell seems to be doing o.k. and her plateletts are beginning to drop. Please continue to pray for her treatment and for her counts to bounce back.

June 10, 2009

Today Trystan ate a great breakfast again today and a little for supper tonight. She hasn't vomitted at all yet! Praise the Lord!!

June 9, 2009

Trystan did well through the night last night and today. She ate pretty good today and so far so good no vomitting. Please pray that she continues to do well with eating and continues to not vomit.

Tracy and Trystan were in the Greenville Advocate riding in the golf cart during the survivor walk at the Bond County Relay for Life. The boys that had the stand were also in the paper for raising money for Trystan.

June 8, 2009

We arrived at the doctor's office thi s morning at 9:00 a.m. and got into our room about 11:30 a.m. At 4:00 p.m. we went down for an EKG and are still waiting to hear about her chemo. We have only seen our nurse once earlier today when we arrived in our room. Hopefully we will hear something soon about when they will start her treatment.

June 7, 2009

We had a great day today! The four of us went to church together today. We also had a bithday party for Trystan at the house with the entire Watson and Rieke sides here. I was so happy that everyone could come at such short notice. We wanted her to have a birthday party while she was feeling good!

Tomorrow we have to be at the clinic by 9 a.m. to see the doctor and we will then be admitted after that. This is the long stay, five nights and six days. Please pray that Trystan doesn't have an allergic reation to the chemo and that it doesn't make her quite so sick.

Thanks again for all of your continued prayers!

June 6, 2009

Alyssa came home today!!! Trystan, Tracy and myself were so excited to see her! I think she must have grown six inches in a week!! Thank you Tim, Lori, and Cadence for taking her on vacation with you, she had a blast!

Today was the movie fundraiser at the Globe Theater. Thanks to the help of the theater workers, and to my brother, sister-in-law, and sister for putting it all together! They raised just short of $1200! It brings tears to my eyes to know how many people came and those that didn't stay for the show and just donated. Both of my girls were at the theater today and had a great time. Alyssa had commented that she felt as if they were treated like celebrities! Thank you to all who came to the theater to be a part of this very special event!

We would like to share with you a story about three special young men who put up an ice cream stand on thursday and friday. Out of the kindness of their hearts they set up a stand and sold ice cream and chips on thursday and hot dogs on friday. Held up a sign to let people know that they were selling these items for Trystan Watson. When my sister-in-law stopped to ask if they knew Trystan they responded no but saw her at the Spring Concert and wanted to help in some way. These boys raised $266 for our six year old daughter! Thank you Blade, Ty, and Brady!

June 5, 2009

The opening ceremonies for the Bond County Relay for Life took place today at the Bond County Fair Grounds. I am happy to report that Trystan felt well enough today to attend some of the festivities that they had. We went there for a "ball park" dinner, listened to the opening speakers, and she got to ride with her daddy on a golf cart under the arch of balloons for the survivor walk. She had many supporters there routing her on! Both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins all came out to support Trystan. There were also many people she knew that were there from school. The principal, teachers, and students. Way to go Trystan! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!!

Alyssa will be coming home tomorrow. We can't wait to see her! We all have missed her so much!! Especially her little sis.

June 4, 2009

Went for counts this morning. Our plan for the day was to go to the zoo. We left home around 12:15 today and stopped in Collinsville to eat lunch before heading to the zoo. Trystan didn't eat much and complained that her belly was hurting a little. So, we decided to not go to the zoo. We still wanted to do something with her. We went to the Gateway Fun Park and played Put Put Golf. She had a great time! We then stoppped at DQ for ice cream but when we got there she decided to try to eat a hot dog instead. While there, the doctor's office called to let us know what Trystan's counts were. They had dropped but were still high enough for treatments on monday. The nurse told us we would have to continue the shots tonight, tomorrow and saturday. I asked if she would be able to go to the Bond County Relay for Life Opening Ceremony tomorrow night and the movie fundraiser on saturday. Her response was sure as long as she is feeling well enough. Tracy and I are so excited that she will be able to participate in both.

June 3, 2009

Yesterday Trystan began to eat and drink. She did pretty good. Not only was she able to eat and drink without vomiting, she lost a tooth! Thank you to all who have been faithfully praying for her. Yet another prayer answered.

We received a call from the doctors office to tell us that so far Trystan's counts are great! We didn't have to give her a shot last night but are to give her one this morning. For her birthday she wanted to go to the mall to Build-A-Bear Workshop and since her counts are good she and a friend are going today after we pick up report cards from school.

As long as her counts stay high enough, we are scheduled to go back for her next treatment on Monday, June 8. This will be the five nights and six days.

June 2, 2009

Yesterday morning we went for her monday bloodwork. As of 3:30 p.m. yesterday we still hadn't heard anything. Not only had we not heard anything but she was still not eating and we couldn't get her to drink very much either. We finally received a call this morning that the blood was clotted and wasn't any good. So Trystan and I were off again this morning to have the bloodwork done again.

As for Alyssa, she called yesterday evening and is having a lot of fun on her trip with Tim and Lori. We miss her so much!

June 1, 2009

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY, TRYSTAN!!!!!!