December 31, 2009

Well today is the last day of 2009. It has been a tough year, but God has been good and answered so many prayers both big and small. Trystan did eat a good lunch but soon after that she started not feeling very well. She has not been feeling well most of the day. Ate very little for dinner. This evening her shots had still not shown up. So at about 7 p.m. I called the on call oncologist and she called Apria Healthcare. Her shots were picked up by UPS at 6 p.m. yesterday and were to be here by this morning. After they tried to track it the only thing that UPS showed was that it was picked up and that was all. The gentleman went back into work and fixed up more syrum and had a corrier bring it out for her. She showed up about 9:45 p.m. and we were able to give her her shot by 10:10 p.m. So not only is she having pain from the shot, but the jaw, leg and arm pain has started from the chemo! Please pray that the pains would stop and the nausea would subside.

December 30, 2009

Finished up with the post hydration from Trystan's last short chemo treatment. Just after finishing that she was taken down to have an x-ray of her right ankle. She hurt it Monday evening while sitting on the edge of the couch and bouncing playing the Wii. It was still bothering her at the hospital so they wanted to look at it to be sure it was o.k. The x-rays showed not fractures. We were very happy about that! We were off and heading home about 1:00 p.m. We stopped for lunch, which Trystan ate very well, then stopped to pick up Alyssa. Once home the girls got out one of Trystan's Christmas gifts (Disney Sing It) and played it on the Wii. They continued playing Wii Resort and American Idol. We then had dinner and sat down to watch the Sound of Music. A very old movie but our girls just love it! By the time that was over it was time for bed. Trystan has done extremely well today. No nausea or vomitting!

December 29, 2009

We arrived this morning at 10 a.m. got right into a room but only to wait an hour for Trystan to be accessed. She was accessed a little after 11 a.m. and fluids began. Premeds were given about 2:15 p.m. and chemo started about 2:40 p.m. She was finished with the chemo and fluids started by 3:45 p.m. About 6:30 tonight she asked for something to eat from Applebee's. I called it in and walked over with a PCA to pick it up and bring it back to her. I am so happy when she asks for something to eat/drink while here! It's only few and far between that that happens!!

This was round 25 of treatments. There's only one more to go! Praise God for all that he has done for our sweet precious Trystan! Please continue to pray for our family.

December 28, 2009

This morning we went for bloodwork. Trystan sat so still for her arm stick. I was so very proud of her! We left Maryville and headed back to Greenville for Trystan's physical therapy appointment. Went and had lunch Alyssa, Trystan and myself. The clinic called to let us know that Trystan's counts were pretty good. All were high enough for chemo tomorrow. Yeah! So we are to report to the nineth floor of Children's tomorrow morning 10 a.m. Tonight we went to my sister's house for the Rieke Christmas. Had a good time.

December 27, 2009

This morning we braved the snowy roads and went to church as a family. Once we were at church, Trystan didn't want to use her wheelchair. She walked on her crutches there and did great. We were so proud of her!! We came home after service and the girls played and I cleaned the upstairs. Tomorrow we will go for counts to see if she makes it for chemo.

December 26, 2009

Today was nothing unusual. That is the way we like it around the Watson household! The kids slep in a little this morning. At noontime my sister and I ran into town and did some errands and had lunch together. The girls stayed at home with daddy, played the Wii, and ate lunch together. This evening we went to Tracy's mom's for dinner. Blessings are good today!!

December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas! This morning the girls were excited to see what Santa had to bring for them. Stockings were filled and pretty much everything they asked Santa for he delivered!!!! This afternoon we went to Tracy's brother's Tim and Lori's house for the Watson get together. It was hard without Tracy's dad there but we were able to shed some tears and able to have laughs as well. Good food, good times, good memories together!!! Trystan got the crutches out and showed all of her aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma how well she can walk! Thank you Lord for another day with family.

December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas Eve to everyone! Cleaned up a little bit today so Sanata wouldn't break his neck when he stepped out of the chimney! This evening we went to our church's first Christmas Eve service. Trenton played his horn with Uncle Ster and did a marvolous job! After the service was over we went to the Shrine in Belleville to look at the lights. Tracy, myself, our girls and Tracy's mom Doris all went together. We then stopped by Collinsville Denny's for a snack. It was a great time together.

December 23, 2009

Despite the clinic telling me that we should wait until next week Monday for counts, I took her for counts today because we wanted to know where she stands for the long weekend. We were afraid that her counts would drop again. Our gut instincts were correct! When the clinic called with her counts her hemoglobin had dropped slightly, platelets dropped, white blood cells and anc also dropped. None are low enough for transfusions but are continuing to drop! The nurse also told us that we are to start the daily shots back up for the next few days as well. One last thing she said was that her bone marrow is just so tired and probably just needs a little more time to rebound. Thank goodness we didn't listen to the clinic and went ahead and got the counts today!

All and all the girls had a pretty good day. They played literally all day together. This evening Tracy took Alyssa with him to do some Christmas shopping. Trystan and I stayed home and ate dinner together. She's been pretty exhausted tonight. I'm hoping her counts will turn around and begin to rise. We can't go for counts now until Monday because of the holiday. Her counts on Monday will determine if she makes it for chemo on Tuesday the 29th.

December 22, 2009

Today I still wasn't feeling very well. Hoping that the antibiotics start kicking in soon! We didn't do much today. This evening we took the girls to visit with Grandma Watson for a bit while Tracy and I went to eat and pick up a few things. Tomorrow we will go for counts to see how she is before Christmas.

December 21, 2009

Went this morning for Trystan to have her bloodwork done at Quest. Then on the way home we stopped by Troy Township Park and saw the two reindeer they had. Trystan was so excited when she saw them. She had to get out of the car and get closer! So I carried her over to the fence. Of course she wanted to feed them but we had nothing to give them! Took pictures of the two reindeer though.

Called the clinic at about 12:30 p.m. just as I was told per clinics request on friday. They had just gotten Trystan's counts. All were good except those stubborn platelets! The platelets weren't low enough for transfusion though, so that was good news. The nurse told us we didn't need to get counts until next week Monday and admission for chemo next week Tuesday. I told her that I would prefer that we at least get a cbc on Wednesday so we know where she's at just before Christmas. She said that that would be fine. She also told us we should stop the daily shots that boost her white blood cells. We were surprised since they weren't all that high to begin with. We'll see on Wednesday if that was a good call and also be sure that her platelets are continuing to rise.

Though we are a little bummed out that she didn't make counts for Wednesday, we are also glad that her counts should be high and she should feel good for Christmas! We know and understand that God is in control.

December 20, 2009

This morning we all went to church together. It's been a while since we've all gotten to go as the four Watson's. During the service, Trystan asked to stand along with everyone else while we were singing. It made my heart soar to see her standing and singing so loudly! We went out for lunch with Tim and Lori then came home and made christmas cookies!

Alyssa went to her friend Lillie's house for a birthday sleepover this evening. Tomorrow while I take Trystan for bloodwork. Alyssa will be going to lunch with her friends then off to the Greenville Humane Society to volunteer. She is so excited to be able to go!

December 19, 2009

This afternoon took the girls to Highland to see Santa at the square. The girls were excited to talk to him. After seeing Santa, they wanted to walk around the square and look at the little elf houses. It was really cold! But the girls had a great time and that's all that matters.

December 18, 2009

It's been a pretty busy and eventful day for the Watson's today! The day started with me taking Trystan for bloodwork and Tracy taking Alyssa to school. Quest had to draw labs from Trystan's arm today per doctor's orders. Her veins are so beat up from all of the arm sticks that have had to be done that they are having difficulty getting anything from her veins. It gets harder and harder every time they have to do an arm stick. She has permanent bruises on her arms that never really have a chance to heal. They were only able to get a little blood from her arm and ended up having to do a finger stick as well. After bloodwork we headed back home for an early lunch. About 1:00 p.m. she took off the bandaid on her finger. It began to bleed pretty badly. It took me almost a half an hour to get it to stop! During that time I called the clinic to tell them that we were having problems getting her finger to stop bleeding. They had to call Quest because they hadn't heard from them yet! The clinic called me back to let me know that her platelets were back down and she needed another transfusion. Trystan and I left right away to get down to the clinic. Tracy stayed home so he could get Alyssa from school. We arrived at the clinic about 2:50 p.m. They accessed her right away and started the pre-medications before she's able to receive platelets to try to avoid an allergic reaction. She has to take tylenol and zyrtek orally. They then give her benedryl, hydrocortozone, and pepsid all through the iv. After she had gotten all of that and the transfusion finally started about 4:25 p.m. All of the medications made her drowzy and she slept through the entire transfusion. The nurse monitored her vitals and I monitored her for hives. She finished the transfusion about 5:15 p.m. and I am happy to report that she didn't get a fever or hives! Praise God!!! We were on our way out the door of the clinic at about 5:45 p.m. and on our way home. We were both pretty hungry so we stopped for a bite to eat on the way home. While we were sitting in the parking lot eating Trystan decided to lose another tooth! Thankfully, she lost it after she received the platelets and not before! We were able to get it to stop bleeding. Seems to never be a dull moment! Once we got home, Trystan needed to be stuck one more time with her shots that we have to do to help boost her white cells. We have to continue the shots through the weekend and report for bloodwork again on Monday for possible admission for chemo on Wednesday.

December 17, 2009

Trystan had her second physical therapy treatment today. She did a little better today than Monday. We've also been practicing at home leg and foot exercises along with waking on the crutches. We are all so proud of her. Tomorrow she will go for bloodwork again. Praying that she makes counts for chemo. If she does make counts she will go in on Monday and come home on Tuesday.

December 16, 2009

We started off our day dropping Alyssa off at school then heading down to Children's. We arrived about 9:15 a.m. for bloodwork. The fingerstick was done about 10 a.m. Got her counts back by about 11 a.m. and her hemoglobin dropped yet some more so we for sure had to stay for those. Her platelets were higher than Monday because of the transfusion but were still low. They weren't low enough for a transfusion. Her ANC seems to be climbing which is great news! The blood finally arrived and the transfusion began just a few minutes after noon. The entire time we were at the clinic Trystan's temperature was elevated, but not high enough for her to be hospitalized. Had her ANC not been coming up she would have for sure had to stay. The hemoglobin transfusion went well other than the temperature. We came home knowing that if her fever went up another degree we would be right back down in the er. Just as soon as Tracy carried Trystan into the house she got sick! I took her temp within the half hour of being home and it was normal and has been normal all evening! Praise God! Hoping that her temperature stays down.

Tomorrow she'll go to her second physical therapy appointment to teach her how to walk with her crutches. She did walk a little on Monday but was very weak from her counts being so low. We have practiced the last two days here at home. She is only allowed to put 50% weight on her right leg; therefore, she needs to be shown what 50% feels like. Trystan was so excited to show her daddy and sissy that she could walk with her crutches. I stay behind her holding onto her waist so she doesn't lose her balance and fall or put too much weight on her right leg. Tracy, Alyssa and myself are so very proud of her! This is just another step closer to Trystan being able to walk, run, jump, skip, etc!

December 15, 2009

Nothing too exciting happened today. We are always thankful for an uneventful day! Trystan will have her bloodwork done at the clinic tomorrow morning. They wanted us to come in there for bloodwork in case she needs another transfusion. Thank you all again for your continued support and prayers for Trystan and our family.

December 14, 2009

This morning Trystan and I dropped Alyssa off at school and went to Maryville Quest for her bloodwork. After we finished there we came back to Greenville and Trystan started a little bit of physical therapy. She learned some excersises to do with her bad leg and how to use her crutches. Trystan was a little scared while we were there learning what 50% feels like on her right leg. We then went to McDonald's drive thru and ate lunch in the car. While we were sitting there Aunt Teri came thru the Drive thru and got in our car and ate with us too! After lunch we came home. We weren't home very long when the clinic called to let us know that all of Trystan's counts are extremely low! We left right away for Children's for a platelet transfusion. We arrived at the clinic at 2:30 p.m. The nurse did all of the pre-meds: hydrocortozone, benedryl, and tylenol. The transfusion began at about 3:30 p.m. and was to be about an hour long. Everything was going well until about 4:15 p.m. or so. Trystan was sitting on my lap, and I looked down at her to kiss her on the head and saw that she was getting hives! I called her nurse over. The nurse practitioners ordered another dose of hydrocortozone, along with zyrtek and pepsid to try to counteract the reaction. Her temperature was beginning to elevate, but came down as the rash started to lighten. Finally by about 5:45 p.m. the hives were lightening up and beginning to fade. We were allowed to leave, but I have to continue benedryl every six hours for the next 24 hours. I was told that we have to keep an eye on her and wake her up through the night to administer the benedryl. Hopefully, the hives will not return! Thank you to all of you who saw my plea on facebook when I cried out for prayers for her. God did answer!

December 13, 2009

This morning Tracy and Alyssa went to church and Trystan and I stayed home. She cannot go anywhere because her counts are so low. Trystan didn't eat very well today and lacked energy. After supper she seemed extremely exhausted and fell asleep by 8:00 p.m. We'll be going for counts in the morning. Tracy and I suspect that her platelets and hemoglobin have continued to drop and that we will most likely be going in for transfusions.

December 12, 2009

We spent the day at home with the kids today. Didn't do much, but the girls did play together. This evening Alyssa and I went to Justin's for his 10th birthday and Tracy and Trystan stayed home. Trystan's energy level has dropped a little throughout the day, but she and Alyssa did play hard together early in the day.

December 11, 2009

Today was an interesting and extremely frustrating day. This morning Tracy took Alyssa to school while I took Trystan for bloodwork in Maryville. We arrived in Maryville and ended up having to wait almost an hour before being called back. Once back there we were seen by someone that was filling in for one of the regulars. She did her finger stick and I asked the woman if she was going to take to pedi-tubes and she told me they only need to take one. I then proceeded to tell her that they normally take two. She insisted that for a CBC only one was needed. A little before 2 p.m. we received a call from the clinic that the lab had called and they didn't have enough blood to run the CBC! She proceeded to tell me that I would have to run back to Quest for another blood draw. We drove all the way back and got there right around 2:30 p.m. and were out and back on the road to come home by 3 p.m. Poor Trystan not only had to have a finger stick this morning but also an arm stick this afternoon. Didn't think we would know what her counts were until Monday but the on-call doctor from Children's called about 5:45 p.m. tonight to give us the numbers. Her platelets and hemoglobin are continuing to drop. They are low but not low enough for transfusions at this point. Her white blood cells and ANC are dangerously low. We are to continue her shots through the weekend and report back on Monday for bloodwork. This evening my mom came over and sat with the kids so Tracy and I could go out for dinner together.

December 10, 2009

Today Trystan got to go on a field trip to Danikan Tree Farm with her class. She was so excited to be able to do something with her class especially seeing her best friend Olivia. She really wanted to go back to school, but we didn't think that it's safe yet to do so. Especially with so many kids with colds, etc. This afternoon after school Trystan's tutor came by to work with her for a little while. Today she also ate really well! A lot of great things are happening this week. Praise God for the small blessings He's given us!

December 9, 2009

Trystan woke up a couple of times through the night complaining that her legs and arms were hurting. This is normally a sign that her white count/neutrophils are high.

Took Trystan to Maryville Quest for bloodwork then we were on our way to see the surgeon. As soon as we arrived at the doctors office they sent us over for x-rays, as they have done every visit since surgery. Chest x-ray was clear and he said that her leg was still healing and looking good. He also told us that she no longer needs to wear her leg brace. Although she isn't needing to wear the leg brace she is still pretty much non-weight bearing on her right leg. She will be going to physical therapy to learn how to use crutches and to know what 50% weight bearing feels like.

Soon after finishing our appointment the clinic called with counts. Trystan's counts are not too bad for being a week out of the start of her last chemo. Her neutrophils were a little elevated so it was suggested to skip todays shot and resume them tomorrow morning. Also, no transfusions are needed at this time. We are to report back for more bloodwork on Friday.

December 8, 2009

Today went pretty well. Trystan accomplished a lot of school work today and I got a lot of the laundry caught up too! Another positive is Trystan ate pretty good today and didn't get sick! Although it was a gloomy rainy day, these small blessings made the day a little brighter.

Tomorrow we will go for counts and then we have to go to see the surgeon.

December 7, 2009

We came home from the hospital today! Trystan was so excited to be able to come home today. On the way home Trystan did get sick in the car on the way home, but later tried to eat something. She did get sick again later in the day as well. Trystan was able to eat supper and able to keep it down. All and all, not too bad of a day.

December 6, 2009

Day five of chemo went ok today. Trystan slept through about half of the treatment and then woke up. After waking up she did get sick and then again later in the day. But otherwise she did pretty well. Trystan still hasn't eaten anything since Thursday. We get to get go home tomorrow we all can't wait!

December 5, 2009

Today was day four of Trystan's chemo. She did really well today. Even with all of the benedryl she was able to stay awake and not get sick. She still hasn't eaten anything but all and all is doing well. Our roommate was moved to another room so we are again by ourselves. Her roommate was screaming and moaning in a lot of pain, day and night. We weren't getting too much sleep. Hopefully tonight will be better.

December 4, 2009

Day three of chemo is finished! We are over halfway finished with this stay. Trystan is in good spirits even though she hasn't eaten anything today. So far no vomiting this go round. Many things again to be thankful for today. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers!

December 3, 2009

Trystan wanted to eat something at about 11:30 a.m. Of course she was requesting green grapes and they only have purple ones. But not being too picky she ate those instead with some cheese cubes and club crackers. We get pretty excited when she decides she wants to eat something while we are staying at the hospital. Normally she doesn't want to eat while we're here. It doesn't take too much to get us excited while we are here. Trystan's chemo started at 1:30 this afternoon and ended a little before 4 p.m. She slept through the first drug, but was awake for the second. She did pretty good.

December 2, 2009

We arrived at the hospital a little after 9 a.m. this morning. Trystan's nurse came over from the clinic to access her and fluids were started by 10 a.m. Trystan also ate lunch today. She was ready for chemo by 2 p.m. She was given all of her pre-meds and chemo started a little after 3 p.m. She finished chemo about 5:30 p.m. She slept through her entire treatment today and her blood pressure did pretty thru the second chemo drug. Many things to be thankful for today!

December 1, 2009

Today was a busy day at the Watson house. I did all the laundry, cleaned the house, and packed for the trip to the hospital tomorrow. This afternoon Trystan's tutor came by to work with her as well.