The Friday Run Down ....

Mark didn't get to the hospital until about 11:45 so that put me home at around 1am.A normal person would have staggered up the stairs and crawled right into bed,probably still clothed.But... no one ever accused me of being normal.Whatever normal is nowadays.So after a quick pick up of the house and a load of laundry started,here I am with a post.First, to Miss Zoey.She was charming as usual.At one point, two very darling nurses came in and told me,rather forced me, to leave the room.Something I haven't done in 23 days.Sure, I go to use the bathroom or run downstairs to grab some food but I never venture far or for too long.This afternoon I popped out and into another mom's room for a bit.She has a little guy,Christopher,who also has Down syndrome and also got more than his fair share of garbage.And now at ten,he is battling ALL.And battling he is.A year after diagnosis and he still spends a great deal of time as an inpatient.It was nice to chat with his mom, as I felt it was another person who understood and felt a lot of the same things that I do.So thank you Laura and Gina.I know Zoey was a TON of trouble for you and you REALLY hated doing it.I also peek in and check on Madison and her mom and dad.They have moved a few doors down from us. Madison's mom Julie, has figured out that I have a major sweet tooth and has been bringing me down goodies.We sit and talk and she feels like an old friend already.As I sit and talk and get to know these other parents, I so wish I could take this all away from them.From all of us.But we continue on ...together ...because we have to.We continue on,for our children,the ones I truly wish I could take this all from.Zoey smiled ..all day.Waved ...all day.Was happy ..all day.Her white count is at 2,which is great,for a kid who has just gone through chemo that is.Her platelets went up to 66 which is an increase of 20 thousand,which is awesome.Her hemoglobin went down a little but not enough to require a transfusion.Her ANC is 40.Extremely low but up 10 from yesterday.So she is still heading in the right direction.Her g-tube site is 75% better.Still not looking perfect but I am sure perfect will not be seen till way after this entire ordeal is done.They have switched her to oral antibiotics from IV ones, so that is also a positive change.So the waiting continues.I arrived home to an amazing little package.My niece Sophie and her Brownie Troop did a community service project and we were their project.How lucky were we.They put together an amazing array of gift cards for us.Starbuck's,Jamba Juice,Cheesecake Factory,Baja,Subway,a Visa card.The list continues.It was simply amazing and more than the gift cards, were the amazing cards that the girls made. Each with a special note and picture.One said "Zoey you are a Rainbow".How cute is that?Each one was so touching and absolutely made my day.Caitlin called today with another piece of fabulous news.She found out that a story or it actually was a post that she did here on this blog,is being published in "Gifts Volume II"!I am proud beyond belief.What an honor and what a testament to the love between two sisters.I guess that does it.I am looking forward to my entire day home tomorrow or rather today as it is after 2am.We once again humbly thank each and everyone of you for your continued support and prayers.I cannot and will not say it enough.Your love carries us through to another day.