August 31, 2009

This morning Trystan woke up still not feeling well. I gave her some over the counter cold and cough syrup only for her to get sick a little later. Tracy and I decided that it may be a good idea to take her to the doctor here in town to have her lungs checked. We wanted to be sure that it wasn't going into pneumonia since she isn't able to get up and move around a whole lot. Alyssa woke up feeling better. After dropping Alyssa off at school, Trystan and I headed for Maryville for bloodwork. I called the doctor on the way to Maryville to get an appointment for her. We got back into the car after her blood was drawn and she got sick again. We came back to Greenville to go to the doctor. The doctor checked Trystan over only to let us know that she has bronchitis. We went by and picked up her prescriptions and went home to rest a little before having to go get Alyssa from school. She did get sick again just before leaving to get Alyssa. Trystan hasn't eaten really anything much today. Later this afternoon we received our call about Trystan's counts. Her white counts and platelets have dropped but, hemoglobin is good. But the nurse did say to watch for fevers from the infection. If she were to get a fever we are to call and get her to the hospital immediatly since she doesn't have the white count to fight the infection. Please pray that her appetite returns, the vomitting subsides, the medicines would help clear the bronchitis, and that she doesn't get fever.

August 30, 2009

It was an interesting night. When we got home from the fundraiser Trystan started in with the same cough that Alyssa has had. We got up late this morning and Trystan wanted waffles, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. I made it, she didn't eat much of it, and within fifteen minutes she lost all of it. She didn't eat very well the rest of the day. The coughing and stuffy/runny nose continued as well.

August 29, 2009

Today was a good day for both of our girls. Alyssa was feeling much better even though she is still coughing and Trystan was able to eat today without vomitting. Since they did so well today, we were able to attend the fundraiser at the Highland VFW. We were so surprised when we arrived at five til seven and the parking lot was almost completely full! The turnout was unbelievable! Trystan surprised us when she asked if she could go onto the stage and sing with the band. She told the lead singer what she wanted to sing and they put it together for her. She brought quite a few tears when she got up there and sang "God Loves Me So." After the live auction she wanted to sing with them again and sang "Sweet Home Alabama." The lead singer told Trystan that she was now an official member of their band and he was going to get her a t-shirt with their logo on it.

Tracy, myself, and the girls would like to thank everyone who donated their time and effort to make last night's fundraiser as well as the other fundraisers earlier in the summer huge successes. Also a special thanks to everyone who donated items and food as well as everyone who bought tickets and participated in the auctions. One last thank you to all who continually pray for our family. God is so good and answers prayers everyday!

August 28, 2009

Trystan did a little better today. She didn't vomit at all today, but her appetite still isn't quite right. As the evening went on she is beginning to get a stuffy/runny nose. I hope that she isn't getting a cold. Maybe tomorrow will be better for her.

Alyssa stayed home from school again today. Her nose seems to be a little better but now she is coughing quite a bit and she still wasn't feeling a whole lot better. By the end of the day she had a little bit more energy. Hopefully she will continue to feel better.

We are hoping that the girls feel a little better by tomorrow so that we can take them to the benefit in Highland for a little while.

August 27, 2009

Trystan was pretty sick today. She got sick this morning before going for counts and when we got home. After returning home from getting counts I took Alyssa to the doctor because she still wasn't feeling well. Trystan tried to eat lunch only to lose it later. She is now afraid to eat or drink anything because she is afraid she is going to throw up. I hope that tomorrow is better for her. This evening Alyssa seems to be feeling a little better. I hope that lasts and she continues to feel better.

August 26, 2009

Trystan did pretty well today. She didn't eat breakfast, but ate an early lunch and didn't eat again until suppertime. So I wouldn't say she ate the best but it all stayed down and that's what matters right now. I don't think she ate very well at supper also because of the jaw pain. This last treatment one of the drugs' side effects is jaw pain and constipation. She seems to get both almost every time. I guess I must have worked Trystan too hard today with schoolwork, etc. She fell asleep before 8 p.m. We are scheduled to go to Maryville Quest for counts tomorrow morning.

Alyssa is fighting something. I am hoping it is just a sinus infection. We are going to try to get her into the doctor tomorrow if she wakes up and is still feeling as bad as she was when she went to bed.

August 25, 2009

This morning Trystan got sick, but throughout the day she seemed to do o.k. She didn't eat anything while we were at the hospital. Her last chemo treatment was at about 4 p.m. We were on out way home from the hospital by 5 p.m. Trystan decided on the way home she was hungry and wanted D.Q. hotdog, fries and sweet tea for supper. We went through the drive thru in Greenville and on the way home she got sick again. But she still wanted to eat when she got home. She ate her entire meal and drink and kept it down. Praise God!

August 24, 2009

Trystan at pretty well for breakfast at home this morning before we left. After taking Alyssa to school we headed down for the hospital. We arrived at the clinic for our appointment at 10:00 a.m. When I told the receptionist we were there she said that our appointment had been cancelled. No one had called us to tell us that. She said that we were to go directly over to be admitted and the doctor would see us over there. Trystan ate a good lunch this afternoon as well. Chemo was finally started about 4 p.m. All three drugs were finished by about 5:30 p.m. By about 6:30 p.m. she wanted to eat some soup for supper. Her appetite wasn't really good but she did eat something.

August 23, 2009

Today was a good day. We all went to church as a family this morning. After church we went to eat lunch with Tracy's brother, Tim, Lori, and Cade. Then we came home and the girls played together all day. Trystan knows that tomorrow she has to go to the hospital. She is not at all happy about that. She asked how long she would have to be there and was glad to hear that she would only have to stay one night.

August 22, 2009

Today we didn't too much of anything. Grandma Rieke came over to deliver the t-shirts for the benefit next weekend that Trystan made. Then later this afternoon we went to Aunt "T"s house for Toby's fifth birthday party. Happy Birthday Toby!!!

August 21, 2009

Trystan made it through the entire day at school today and had a much better day. I was glad she was able to enjoy a few days of school before beginning chemo next week. Once the chemo begins she will not be able to attend school but a couple of days here and there.

August 20, 2009

Today was an interesting day. Trystan was not feeling well when she woke up this morning. She didn't eat anything for breakfast and still wanted to go to school. We were at the school until about 10:15 a.m. when she got sick. I brought her home and after her stomach settled she said she wanted to try to eat some lunch. She did eat and it stayed down, and has been o.k. the rest of the day. Not sure why she wasn't feeling well this morning, but hopefully she will be o.k. for school tomorrow. This will be her last day at school for quite some time because of chemo starting on monday.

August 19, 2009

This morning we arrived at Dr. McDonald's office by 9:30 a.m. and got right in! They took off Trystan's splint cast to look at her heel and incision. A lot of the swelling has gone but her leg is bruised from all of the trama. They didn't put a plaster cast on her leg yet because of the sore on the bottom of her heel. The doctor told us that the pathology report from the surgery was excellent! The chemo did exactly what it was supposed to do. She has to still go through the twelve weeks of chemotherapy to be sure that there are no cancer cells anywhere. We are scheduled to go back to see Dr. McDonald in four weeks and scheduled to start chemo on monday.

Trystan's 2009 summer part 2

Trystan's 2009 Summer (Part 1)

August 18, 2009

School was dismissed at 2:00 p.m. today. Trystan made it all day! She did pretty good through lunch, but as soon as we got back to the classroom she was getting tired and kept asking when we were going to go home. I kept cheering her on and telling her she could make it, and she did! I am so proud of her. Alyssa had another good day today. I am so glad she is enjoying 4th grade!

Tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. we have an post-op appointment for Trystan. After that appointment we are to head over to Children's for bloodwork for her chemo on monday. Hopefully, we will be finished in time to be back to Greenville to pick up Alyssa by 2 p.m.

August 17, 2009

Today was the first day of school with an 11 a.m. dismissal. Alyssa was pretty nervous this morning but when school was over was excited about the new year. Trystan did pretty well. She was upset when we got to school because she is unable to sit at a desk like all of the other children. After a while she did a little better. Both girls really seem to like their new teachers. By 3:00 this afternoon she was exhausted and ended up taking a three hour nap. I'm afraid she will not be able to make it through the entire day tomorrow.

August 17, 2009

Today was the first day of school. Alyssa was pretty nervous this morning but when school was over was excited about the new year. Trystan

August 16, 2009

We went to church this morning as a family. And this afternoon we went to my sister's house for Kortnie and Derrick's birthdays. She did very well throughout the day today. Towards the end of the party she began to complain the her legs were hurting. When we got home we gave her her pain medicine. She was better within about a half an hour. We had to be sure that the girls got to bed early so they would be good for the first day of school tomorrow.

August 15, 2009

Trystan didn't sleep well through the night last night due to pain. She finally agreed to take pain medicine at about 1 a.m. Within a half an hour she fell asleep and slept off an on until almost 11 a.m. this morning. Tracy stayed home with Trystan while I went to pick up Alyssa from her friends house. Once we got home we didn't do too much of anything. Trystan has complained off an on about pain today.

August 14, 2009

Trystan did well today. She was not in very much pain at all. She took one dose of pain medicine this morning and nothing else throughout the day. Today, Alyssa was pushing Trystan really fast through the house in her wheelchair. The girls were having such a good time while I was having a heart attack afraid that they would run into something and get hurt. This evening was the back-to-school night. It gives the kids a chance to go in, meet their teacher, and bring in their supplies. Both girls got to meet with their teachers and take/unload all of their school supplies. Trystan was excited to be able to go to school. She was a little nervous/embarrassed because of her legs. But all in all both of my girls did very well. Alyssa likes to be able to push her sister in the wheelchair and help to take care of her. She does such a good job looking out for her!

August 13, 2009

Trystan seemed to be a little better today. She still seems to have a lot of pain in her legs, but was wanting to play more. She and Alyssa played on the floor for quite a while today. They played board games and played with their stuffed animals together. Please continue to pray that she will continue to have a healthy recovery.

August 12, 2009

This morning I called Kelly with Dr. McDonald's office and told her about Trystan crying and complaining about her heel hurting. She told us to come in today. We were told to be there by 1:00 p.m. We arrived at the office a little after one and were taken back to the "casting" room. The caster cut open the splinted cast for the doctors. When she was examined they did find a sore on the bottom of Trystan's heel where the cast was rubbing inside the cast. They put a splint cast back on her leg but padded her heel a little better. Her legs were still swollen so they said we needed to elevate her legs higher than we had been. We were told to come back next week wednesday for her post-op appointment.

August 11, 2009

Today Trystan did better. Late in the day she's begun complaining more about her heel hurting and the back of her ankle as well as her leg. At times she cried the pain was so bad. I will call tomorrow and talk to the nurse at the doctor's office to see if we should be concerned or if it is normal.

August 11, 2009

Today Trystan did better. Late in the day she's begun complaining

August 10, 2009

Trystan had quite a bit of pain this morning, but seemed to get a little better by the evening. I hope that each day her pain will lesson a little. We went and purchased a bedside comode because it is so difficult to use the regular toilet. The comode seems to really help.

August 9, 2009

Trystan seemed to sleep a little better last night. We had to get her up once through the night to use the restroom and agian early in the morning. She does pretty well until we have to move her. Late this morning they took the pain medicine drip off and started oral pain medicine. They had to be sure that her pain could be managed by the oral meds before they would let her go home. It was a fight throughout the day to try to get her to eat anything. She has only eaten a few popsicles and a little bit of chocolate pudding. However, this afternoon she did finally eat some carrots and ranch dressing. At about 3:30 p.m. today the doctor came in to let us know that they were sending her home. By about this evening we were on our way to the car. After figuring out how we were to have her sit in the car, we were finally on our way home. She really did pretty good on the way home. We stopped in Collinsville for McDonald's. She ate about a 1/4 of a cheeseburger and about 1/2 of her fries before getting a belly ache. We were just happy to see her eating something! Hopefully, she will just continue to eat and that the pain would get better each day.

August 8, 2009

It was a long restless night. Trystan's epideral somehow slipped and was not at all working. It took a while for them to order a drip and hook it up, therefore she was in a lot of pain without any meds for a couple of hours. Once they started the drip it seemed to help her a little. She seems to be ok until they ask her to wiggle her toes. She cries at the pain. They took out her cath this morning which means she has to go to the bathroom on her own. When she first said she had to go we tried a bedpan. She didn't like that at all! She made sure she told her nurse that she was not going in that bedpan again! We moved her from her bed to a chair late morning. and she sat up all day in the chair with her legs resting on another chair. Moving her was a challenge. She napped pretty good in the chair during the afternoon. Late afternoon she needed to go to the bathroom and the comode that the nurse had ordered earlier in the day had not made it up to us yet. Tracy and the nurse carried her to the restroom, while I followed with the iv poles. There was not a whole lot of room for all of us in the restroom but we made it work. Of course right after we got her back in the bed and situated, the comode arrived, go figure! Just a little after 10 p.m. she needed to go to the restroom again. We used the comode and that went much better. Trystan was still in a lot of pain when we did it, but it was easier, faster, and less movement for her. She hasn't eaten anything today but popsicles and a little bit of pudding.
The plan for tomorrow is to unhook her from the drip and try to manage her pain by oral medication. I hope she is able to eat something so that the medicine isn't quite so hard on her tummy. As of this afternoon they were still talking about sending her home tomorrow as well.
Please pray that she is able to eat, that her pain will be able to be under control with the oral meds, and that her pain lessens everyday with a quick, speedy and healthy recovery.
We thank God that the surgery was a success and that He provided the doctors with the wisdom and the steady hands they needed for the surgery.

August 7, 2009

We arrived here at Children's Hospital right at 6:30 a.m. this morning. We were called back a little before 7 a.m. and they wheeled her away for surgery at about 7:50 a.m. The nurse that's taking care of Trystan came out to talk with us right after they took her and said that it would be about an hour before the actual surgery would start because of the prepping and positioning that they will do prior to surgery.
Surgery began at about 8:45 a.m. As of 9:15 a.m. everything was going good.
As of 10:30 a.m. the bad bone has been removed and were working on getting the fibula out. One of the doctors came out to talk to us at 11:00 a.m. to let us know that she will need a little bit of blood products but nothing to be concerned about. He also said that they are getting ready to size up the fibula to be placed in her right leg. The doctor said that it would probably be another two to three hours before she would be in recovery.
A little before noon they called and gave us an update. Her left leg has been closed up and are finishing up on her right leg.
The vascular surgeon came in around 1:00 p.m. to let us know that the blood vessels are hooked up in the new leg and are flowing greatly. Dr. McDonald was getting ready to screw the plate into place and sew her up. Probably about another hour to two yet.
We got to go back to recovery at about 3:30 p.m. to be with Trystan. She looks so little and fragile. They have her all bundled up because she was so cold. While waiting to find out if her room was ready she did get sick. We got up to her room a little before 4 p.m. After coming up to the room she got sick a couple of more times. She has been seen by Dr. McDonald's team and if all goes o.k. this weekend she may be home as soon as Sunday. Depending upon how she does this weekend.

August 6, 2009

This morning we received a call from the doctor's office to let us know that Trystan's counts were good! Thank goodness!! We finally heard from the hospital about when to arrive for surgery tomorrow. We were told that we should be at the hospital by 6:30 a.m. and surgery is set for 7:45 a.m. The surgery we were told will be about five hours. I will try to post something tomorrow as soon as we know something.

August 5, 2009

This morning we went to Quest in Maryville for counts. They had to do the total count so they did not do a finger stick but needle in the arm. She was not at all happy about that. After we were finished there the girls and I decided to finish their school shopping. On our way home from shopping we still hadn't heard from the doctor's office so I called. They had not yet heard from Quest. What ended up happening is Quest didn't run her blood as "stat" which is guarenteed in four hours or less. Instead it was put in line with all the others and would take eight to ten hours to complete the CBC. So we will not hear from the doctor's office untsometime tomorrow morning if we will need to come in for a transfussion or not. I was not at all happy, so I called to let them know. I had to leave a message, but at least I got to vent!

August 4, 2009

We received our call from the doctor's office from the bloodwork we had to have done yesterday afternoon. We were told that we could discontinue the "super hero" shots and that her platelets have come up a little. They still have a little ways to go. We were told to go back and have bloodwork tomorrow morning in case she needs another transfussion prior to surgery. They will do the transfussion thursday if need be.

This evening we went back to the fair for the parade. Alyssa and I walked with Fusion Dance and Trystan and Tracy rode in the Arthur Young, Inc. vehicle in the parade. Alyssa got to hand out popcicles and pencils and Trystan threw out candy. After the parade the girls wanted to ride the ferris wheel again. They rode together once then again with their cousin Cadence. I think they had another good night at the fair!

August 3, 2009

This morning we went to Quest for bloodwork and when we were called with the results early this afternoon we were told it clotted. We needed to go back to Quest to redo the bloodwork. Needless to say it was a lot of running today.

This evening the girls wanted to go to the Bond County Queen Pageant. So grandma, myself and the two girls went to the pageant together. The girls also rode the ferris wheel with Trystan's friend Olivia. They had such a good time!

August 2, 2009

This morning when we woke up the girls wanted to swim. We didn't have to check out of the hotel until 11 a.m. so we headed back down to the pool. We swam for a little more than an hour then headed back to the room to pack up and leave. But you know you cannot leave Sikeston without eating at Lamberts! We ate lunch at Lamberts and headed back to Taco John's to get a to go order to bring some home. We were then ready to head home. We arrived back to the house at about 3 p.m. It was a great weekend!

August 1, 2009

We decided this morning that we would like to take a small trip with the girls before Trystan's surgery. After getting the go ahead from the doctor we headed to Sikeston, MO. The main reason we wanted to go there was Taco John's. Tracy's old boss, Sonny, ownes that Taco John's. Tracy called down to let Sonny know that we were coming. When we arrived, they had put a message on the sign outside that read "Welcome Trystan New Taco Maker." They also had the girls' names on the doors welcoming the both of them. They were so excited when they found out that they were going to get to make their own tacos! When we walked in the doors they had Taco John's t-shirts for the both of them along with name tags. We ordered our food and the girls went back to learn how to make tacos. Thank you Sonny and the entire Taco John's crew for a wonderful visit!

After lunch we headed to the hotel we were staying at. The girls immediately wanted to head to the pool. So we all changed into our bathing suits and headed for the indoor pool. No one was there so we had the enitre pool to the four of us!