November 30, 2009

This morning Trystan and I dropped Alyssa off at school and went for bloodwork. After we were finished we went by Grandma Watson's so I could help her with some paperwork. While we were waiting in the school parking lot, Tracy called to let us know that the nurse from the clinic called with Trystan's counts. She made counts on time! Praise the Lord!! We are excited that she isn't delayed this time. She will be going in for a treatment on Wednesday morning. This is the long treatment. Therefore she will be in the hospital for five nights and six days we won't be home until sometime next week Monday.

November 29, 2009

This morning as soon as Trystan woke up we gave her her daily shot and medication. Then we all got dressed and ready to go to church together. After church we headed home and chilled out there for the day. This evening Alyssa and I went to my brother's house in Highland for the Rieke Thanksgiving. Alyssa and I had a good time! Tracy and Trystan had to stay home due to her animal allergies.

November 28, 2009

Today Tracy got down all of the Christmas boxes and then we started moving furniture to make room for the tree. The girls and I decorated the tree and put out small decorations through the house. Thinking we'll wait until tomorrow or next week sometime to get out the "big" tree that goes in the front room. The girls asked daddy to put the lights up outside. So, it was off to Wal-Mart. He decided to try something new this year and we need new lights. While at Wal-Mart the girls wanted to spend some of their shopping money they've gotten from different people and each bought themselves new Best Friend Club (BFC) doll. They haven't stopped playing with them since we got home.

November 27, 2009

This picture was taken at the Highland day after Thanksgiving Parade!

I got up early this morning for black friday shopping with my sister and mom. My sister and I go every year and get most of our shopping finished in one day! This year was the first year that my mom went with us and she had a blast! I think we've made a black friday shopper out of her as well.

The girls stayed at home with daddy while I was out doing some of the Christmas shopping. I think they had a pretty good time together! Tracy did say that Trystan cried on and off throughout the day because I left before she got up this morning.

After I got home, we decided to go to the square in Greenville for their festivities that were to begin at 5:30 p.m. When we got there, there wasn't anything set up and ready. We did see the carrolers and one limping sad looking reindeer! We decided pretty quickly to just go to Highland and watch the parade like we normally do every year.

Other than a few rude people at the parade, we had a nice family night together. After the parade we stuck around and watched Santa turn on all of the lights on the square. Once the lights were on, we walked around the square and looked at all of the houses. The line was too long to see Santa, but we will go sometime between now and Christmas.

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Today we went to Teri's house at 1:00 p.m. and speant the afternoon/early evening with the Watson side. Though it was difficult without dad/grandpa, everyone seemed to have a pretty good time. We ate and played left, right, center. There was a short time when Trystan had a difficult time. Every time we have get togethers they are hard on her. She doesn't like having to watch the other kids run around, it is a countinuous reminder to her that she cannont. After getting over that little bump, she ended up having a pretty good time too!

November 25, 2009

This morning we went to Maryville to have bloodwork done. Just before leaving to pick up Alyssa from school we got our call from the clinic. Trystan's hemoglobin's good, platelets dropped a little but is holding, her white counts and ANC dropped a little but is holding as well. She was given the go ahead to enjoy Thanksgiving. The nurse just said if anyone has any cold symptoms, etc. they should stay clear of Trystan and that we shouldn't be afraid to tell family members that. We aren't supposed to get counts done again until Monday with a possible admit of Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

November 24, 2009

We were off to Children's Hospital this morning after dropping Alyssa off at school. Arriving right at 9 a.m. and Trystan being accessed by 9:30 a.m. the morning was moving smoothly. We were hoping to have the blood in an hour (by 10:30 a.m.) but it didn't arrive until closer to 11 a.m. Hemoglobin transfusions are over a two hour period. Thankfully, Trystan didn't run fever during or after the transfusion. No hospital stay for us! She was finished a little after 1 p.m. and we were on the road coming home by 1:30 p.m. Just enough time to pick up Alyssa from school. We will be going for bloodwork again tomorrow to check levels again.

November 23, 2009

This morning was the same as any other Monday morning. Trystan and I dropped Alyssa off at school and went to Maryville Quest for bloodwork. The clinic called with the results. Her hemoglobin's dropping, platelets holding, white blood cells and ANC were good. The nurse told to come into the clinic tomorrow for a hemoglobin transfusion. We are to be there by 9 a.m.

November 22, 2009

This morning Alyssa danced with the christian group "Feet of Grace" at the Greenville Free Methodist Church. She danced during both services. I was only able to be at one with Trystan. But the girls did a wonderful job!

Trystan has still been complaining today of aches and pains throughout her body as well as stomach aches. If it continues tomorrow, I'll talk to her nurse about it when she calls with the results of her bloodwork.

We are thankful that Trystan is going to be home for Thanksgiving. We aren't sure if she will be able to go to family get togethers yet. That will all depend on counts and if any of our family members have cold/flu symptoms.

November 21, 2009

Trystan has still been complaining of jaw and leg pain as well as belly pains. Which is it from: chemo treatment, flu shot, or the daily shot? Not sure which is the culperate or if it's a combination. But on a positive note, she hasn't gotten sick yet.

Alyssa did really well today. She didn't complain at all about her leg. That's an answer to prayer!

November 20, 2009

Trystan did pretty well again today. She has complained off and on today of jaw and leg pain which is a side effect of one of the chemo drugs. She has been able to eat and keep it down. Instead of getting three drugs this past treatment she only got two. She is finished with one of the chemo drugs on the short stays. Maybe that was one that gave her more nausea before? Praying that since she only got two instead of three drugs this last time, possibly her counts will bounce back easier.

Alyssa complained a couple of times today that her leg was hurting but not too bad. Praying that that stops as well.

November 19, 2009

This morning Tracy took Alyssa to the doctor to have her leg looked at. The doctor didn't feel anything unusual but as a precaution sent them over to the Greenville Regional Hospital for x-rays. Later, the doctor's office called to let us know that the x-rays were clear. They suggested two different things one just to give ibuprofin whenever she has pain or she could try some physical therapy. We decided just to try the ibuprofin and if it continues to be bothersome we would just do both girls in physical therapy together.

After the doctor's appointment, Alyssa went to grandma's and Tracy made his way to the hospital to pick up Trystan and I. Before leaving the hospital Trystan did eat some lunch from Applebee's of course. She was able to eat it and keep it down! We were so excited that she even has a little appetite.

All in all it was a good day! Trystan was doing well and Alyssa's x-rays wer clear. Alot to be thankful for!!

November 18, 2009

This morning we dropped Alyssa off at school and headed to Children's. Got right into our room as soon as we got here. We then found out that the nurse that Trystan prefers to have access her wasn't available to, so the nurse that was scheduled to her went ahead and did it. The fluids started right at 11:00 a.m. While she was hydrating we found out that this is not her last short stay. What we were told wasn't correct. Post surgery it is eight rounds not six. Trystan is bummed and Tracy and I are upset. We thought she would be finished before Christams and now it looks like she probably won't be done until well into January. After all of this terrible news, chemo finally started at about 3:30 p.m. She finished right at 4:45 p.m. and post hydration started right at 5:00 p.m. She will have to post-hydrate for 24 hours.

During treatment Tracy called me to let me know that Alyssa is still complaining that her leg hurts. It's been bothering her for a couple of days. We aren't taking any chances. I called the pediatrician's office right away but couldn't get her in until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. So, he will take her to school in the morning, then go and pick her up and take her to her appointment.

Please pray for Trystan that she will continue to be strong, maintain high spirits, and that she won't be too delayed for the next round because of low counts. Also, please pray for Alyssa that the pain in her leg is nothing too bad. Maybe just growing pains or something minor. Lastly, please pray for Tracy and I that we will keep our sanity! Today has been very trying for all of us.

November 17, 2009

Today was another day to be thankful for. We are preparing to go to the hospital tomorrow. This will be our last short chemo treatment! We are so thankful that the chemo did its job in shrinking the tumor and that the surgery went well. Now we are praying that all of the cells have been destroyed by the chemo post surgery.

November 16, 2009

This morning we dropped Alyssa of at school then headed to Maryville for bloodwork. After bloodwork, we went to Tracy's mom's house to drop off the thank you's that I finished yesterday. We stayed for just a little bit to visit. Then the three of us went out to the cemetary and to the Galaxy for lunch. It was a very nice time. After lunch we dropped Doris back off at her house then Trystan and I came home. Once home we sat down to do her schoolwork. Shortly after 1:30 p.m. the clinic called with Trystan's counts. Thanks to everyone who's been praying that Trystan's counts would come up high enough for counts. She finally made it!!! As of now, she will be admitted on Wednesday morning.

November 15, 2009

This morning Tracy and Alyssa went to church and Trystan and I stayed at home. I finished up the rest of the housework and did schoolwork with Trystan. Also during the day I did some thank you cards from the funeral to help Doris out. It was a very productive and busy day!

Praying for good counts tomorrow!

November 14, 2009

At our house today was a big cleaning day! The girls weren't at all happy about that. After they helped pick up their messes, I let them enjoy the weather outside. They sat on the front porch together and played. All in all it was a good day!

November 13, 2009

Today was another good day. This morning Tracy left to take his mom to a doctor's appointment and Trystan and I took Alyssa to school. We then came home and did some schoolwork. By that time it was lunch. I thought I was going to fix her lunch but after discussing what to make for lunch we ended up in town in McDonald's drive-thru. We sat in my car and ate lunch and watched a DVD together. After filling our bellies we came back home and did some more schoolwork. We were then off to pick up Alyssa from school. Came home and Alyssa and Tracy went outside to shoot some hoops together. We made tacos for dinner then all sat together for a movie on TV then off to bed!

November 12, 2009

This morning Trystan woke up and still had pains in her chest. I called the clinic to see if there was anything that we could do to help her. The doctor said that it sounded like acid reflux and we were to get the Pepcid chewables for her. After getting her bloodwork done we got in the car and started heading home. Trystan began to feel sick. She did get sick while I was driving. So, I went ahead and picked up the Pepcid for her. When we got back in the car from coming out of the drug store she got sick again. But after she did this time she said she felt better and wanted to get something to eat. We sat at Sonic in the car and watched a movie and ate lunch together. Once home she did some schoolwork. She did well for the rest of the day. She didn't get sick anymore. We received our call from the clinic about 2:30 p.m. All of her counts were o.k. except for her platelets again. They haven't dropped and they didn't come up either! They're not low enough for a trasfusion, but not high enough to receive chemo. Trystan, along with the rest of us were discouraged. She is just ready to get it all overwith as are we.

November 11, 2009

Today was a good day. Alyssa didn't have school today because it is Veteran's Day. So the girls played all day today and had a good time. This evening Tracy's mom came over for dinner. We had a good time with her. Trystan went to bed tonight with a bellyache. I am hoping that it was just indigestion. We will be also going for counts tomorrow to see if she makes it for chemo on friday.

November 10, 2009

Today was pretty much routine. During the day while Alyssa was at school, I cleaned and Trystan watched a movie. We ate lunch then worked on schoolwork, by that time it was already time to leave to get Alyssa. After picking her up we came back home and Trystan's tutor came over to do some assessments. Trystan seemed to do o.k. The tutor should be coming back on Thursday to work with Trystan again. By that time we should also know if she will be admitted on Friday.

November 9, 2009

This morning we dropped Alyssa off at school and went to Quest in Maryville for bloodwork. Once we finished we came home finished watching a movie, ate lunch, and did schoolwork. By that time it was time to leave to pick up Alyssa. The nurse called from the clinic to tell us that her platelets had dropped again but were not low enough for a transfusion. So again Trystan did not make counts. The nurse said that we should give Trystan a shot on Monday and Tuesday and not go for counts until Thursday. The shots were finally delivered at 7:00 tonight. If she makes counts on Thursday she will be admitted on Friday.

November 8, 2009

We all went to church as a family today! I think the last time we all got to go together was at the beginning of October. After church we all went to Tracy's mom's house to have lunch. It was good for all of us.

November 7, 2009

The funeral for John was today. It was the most touching and moving funeral I have ever been to. He would have been so proud of all of the things said about him and how well behaved his grandchildren were during the visitation and funeral. I know we all were.

November 6, 2009

This morning we got up and went for counts. We came back home to start getting ready to go to Tracy's dad's visitation. Just before leaving, we got our call from the clinic with Trystan's counts. All of her counts are continuing to climb except for her platelets they dropped in half. We headed off to the visitation. It was very touching all of the people who came out to the visitation. John touched so many lives. Praise God!!! After the visiation we headed home. I picked Trystan up and brought her inside the house. I was getting her evening medications together when Alyssa yelled, "Uh mom, Trystan's nose is bleeding. It's bleeding really bad!!" I applied pressure to the bridge of her nose and thought I finally had gotten it to stop. But, a clot fell out of her nose and the bleeding started again a little harder. We thought again we got it to stop but an even larger clump came out and bled even harder. Tracy applied pressure while I called the on-call oncologist. She gave some suggestions of other things to do and told us if it continued to clot and dislodge and bleed over the next hour we would have to call her back and come to the ER to have it looked at. While on the phone with her, an even larger clot came out with gushes of blood. Trystan was screaming and crying from being completely afraid. We did the suggestions she told us and had prayer chain from church going and it finally stopped. We monitored her through the night to be sure her nose didn't begin bleeding while she was sleeping. Another sleepless night at the Watson house.

November 5, 2009

Went to Grandma Watson's today as a family to meet with Pastor. I think it was good for Trystan though. Being in Grandma and Grandpa Watson's house helped her to cry, which she hasn't done much of since all of this has happened. It was good for all of us to sit around and cry and laugh together telling stories of Grandpa. Tomorrow is going to be a hard and busy day. In the morning the girls and I will go for bloodwork while Tracy goes to the mall still searching for suits. Then we will all head to the church for the wake.

November 4, 2009

This morning we had to break the news to our daughters about grandpa. It breaks our hearts to see them so upset! We gave Alyssa the choice if she wanted to go to school or stay at home with me. She was afraid that she would cry too much and not be able to pay attention so she decided to stay home. However, we had to go for counts for Trystan. Alyssa, Trystan and myself went to Maryville for bloodwork. We got our call from the clinic her counts were a little higher than Monday. This is good news! We are praying that her counts would continue to rise, especially since she will be around so many people Friday night and Saturday. We are also praying that God will protect all of us, mostly Trystan, and keep us healthy.

November 3, 2009

This morning we dropped Alyssa off at school. While driving to Children's, Tracy received a call from St. Joseph's in Highland that his dad had taken a turn for the worse and he should come to the hospital as soon as he could. We were just between Pocahontas and Pierron when they called. So we went to the hospital and Tracy got out of the car and I drove the rest of the way to Children's. Trystan did awesome with just mommy there. She is so strong. I made a deal with her that if she did very well I would go and buy her some red lipstick. She's been asking for some so that was good bribary! Whatever it takes. Trystan had two transfusions. One was platelets and the other hemoglobin. She didn't break out into hives or get a fever. That was a prayer answered.

Throughout the day Tracy would text me to let me know what was going on with his dad. For those of you who don't know, John has been fighting cancer for a few years. He had a siezure sometime during the night and has been unable to speak. He also went into a coma and his health declined throughout the day. John passed away this evening.

Trystan at Quest 11-2-09

This is a picture of Trystan incognito at Quest getting her finger stick.

November 2, 2009

We dropped Alyssa off at school and Trystan and I went to get counts done. We got our call after 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. We were told from the clinic that all of Trystan's counts are dangerously low. We are to monitor her throughout the night tonight. If anything unusual happens or if she starts to feel bad we are to call the on-call Oncologist on duty and get an emergency transfusion. Otherwise we are to show up at the clinic in Children's tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. We expect to be there all day. They'll have to access her, draw blood to cross match it, then transfuse both hemoglobin and platelets. Hopefully, she'll not have a reaction to the transfusions and not get a fever. If a fever occurs she'll be admitted for at least 48 hours.

November 1, 2009

It was a pretty good day today. Trystan ate fairly well. The girls played the Wii while Tracy and I put together a basketball hoop outside that we've had for a long time.

October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!!!!

The girls were so excited that they got to go trick or treating. We went to see Grandma and Grandpa Rieke's house and then trick or treated in their neighborhood. After finished there we went to trick or treat at St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland to see Grandma and Grandpa Watson.

Pictured is Trystan in the backseat of the car. Trick-or-Treating is pretty exhausting!!!