19 DAYS...2 MORE TO GO!

It is hard to imagine that we have been here for nineteen days. If all continues without complications, we can be released on Monday.YAHOO! There is much to learn. Maybe I should of studied nursing instead, but I am feeling much more confident and informed than I was a few weeks ago. The staff here are great teachers and have educated us as much as possible. I am a firm believer in modern medicine and that it is through divine inspiration that we have this blessing on the earth today. Even more so, that it is blessing our lives and helping Kristin become whole again. The blessings and prayers have been a tremendously powerful gift in her live. Each day she draws on these blessings and they give her so much comfort. I cannot express to you have important they have been to her in this blog. Yesterday was a particularly hard day with nauseousness, hair loss, impact on school and social life, the long stay here, missing the comforts of home, and; for lack of a better word, crappy food. The peace that came from the blessings pronounced upon her filled her (and myself) with sweet warmth, and comfort. Yes, faithful prayers and angels are with her!

Duran, Duran! Of course she knows them Amy. Krstin is a coniseur of the 70-80's classics.

Kristin finds is irritating when the drawer of apple jacks and fruit loops is depleted. Yes, even on this controlled diet, her appetite is never satisfied!

We find sleeping in the hospital to be much easier than when we first arrived. I will admit I was a finicky sleeper before. Yes Darren, I admit it! Now lights, beeps, bumps, vital checks, etc. do not bother us. Kristin has taken over the window bed and sleeps much better there. So, where do I sleep? yep, in her bed... controls and all. I have had my vitals checked! The bed just reminds me of having babies.... need I say more!

Last night Kristin had gone to bed and she said, "Christel is making me a quilt! I am getting a Christel Anderson quilt!" thanks

I have made some new friendships through our adventure. There is an unmistakable bond between parents when their child suffers from cancer. Children with cancer are all so innocent in their suffering. Consequently you see the empathy in all their caregivers eyes. Parents, Docs, and nurses. One in particular is Malakai. He is two years old, cute, and loves his "B."(blanket) He just went through a stem cell transplant. His mom Staci is young and very strong and beautiful! I admire her strength.

Kristin's sugars were very low this morning, too low. We are cutting back on her long acting insulin tonight and keeping a close watch. Since her steroids were stopped two days this maybe the beginning of her body correcting itself. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Big thank you's to Caroline, Danni, and all who contributed to the making of her blanket. She loves it and so does everyone else. They all like to come to her room and read the blanket and look at pictures people have sent. They often exclaim that she has wonderful friends. Yes she does! They have really cheered up this room.

So, keep your comments coming as she looks forward to reading them. We love you all. Go SPECIAL K!
Warmly, Leslie