This might be long

Here is the whole story from start to finish.

We had to be at the hospital at 9:15 so we left Lancaster at 8:30. First thing we went to the out patient heart & vascular department. Livi had her echocardiogram which she screamed through (doesn't even hurt but she doesn't like being touch by people she doesn't know). The results showed that her function is good and that is what they were checking. So that was good. Then we went over to the office we always go to and got out paperwork for the bloodwork. Suprise suprise this is where things started to go horrible. They were supposed to only have to do a finger prick cause it would be "easier". Not the case. The stuck her ring finger on her left hand but it "stuck wrong" and the blood ran back down her finger instead of forward. So it was mixing with sweat (cause she is a sweater and she was freaking out the whole time which makes her sweat more). So then the tech decided to stick another finger. She did the middle finger on the left hand. The blood was flowing out and we were close to done when the tech dropped the vial on the floor and it spilled everywhere. Keep in mind Alivia hates being restrained in anyway and with a finger stick you have to squeeze the finger constantly. So the the tech went and got another person to try for a vein. Well as they are trying (I'm crying and Livi's crying and Cynthia is crying) they ask how far away we live and if we could come back (the answer to that question is always going to be NO! We aren't doing this for fun we need to get this blood). We got Livi all bandaged up (she looked like she was in a baby fight with one finger with a bandaid, the other wrapped with gauze and a purple bandage and a purple bandage around her arm. She's crying, I'm crying, Cynthia is crying. We were a sight. So we went back to the office and the nurses took such amazing care of us. They put us in a room, got windup toys for Alivia, tea for Cynthia and chocolate for both of us. It was such a relief. And they said we never have to go to the lab again. That they will always do the blood draws in the office from now on! Both Cynthia and I burst into tears again from relief. Such a blessing. The nurses are amazing there (seems to be a running theme for the whole hospital) I am going to get all of their names and start collecting thank you notes for them. They take such good care of us. The put numbing cream on Alivia's hands so that she wouldn't feel the needle prick and they will do that each time from now on. It takes an hour to work so we gave her the chemo she has been taking at home and went for a walk. By this time we were all drained.

Let me give a little back story. I had a little breakdown last night at about 11:45 and called a dear friend who was kind enough to get out of bed and talk to me till almost one. It was so nice to talk and she listened to me cry and reminded me of truth and just was amazing. So thanks Ang, you'll never know how much that ment. If I can ever repay the favor just call as late as you want! So needless to say I was more tired today than usual.

Back to our story...We walked for about an hour...went to the gift shop, got Cynthia some Starbucks (she deserved it after the morning we had!!) and called James and my parents. We went back to the office and they put in an IV. That way they could draw the blood and if we did have to start vincristine then she wouldn't have to get stuck again. They did the blood, we went to lunch, we came back, results were good and we took out the IV and came home. Her red BC and platelettes are low so we might have to do a transfusion on Thursday. And if the WBC's go up at all we will start the Vincristine but we aren't thinking about that now. We are just being thankful for today.

Thanks for today...
..Cynthia for toughing it out with us. It was a rough day and so nice to have you with us. Thanks for supporting us. (and loving us)
...Kathy Booker for stopping by the hospital (in shorts and flipflops) to drop off treats for Livi and I. and for picking up the chemo. You're such a good friend
...Ang again for being Ang.
...Chris for driving to Hershey this evening to get the chemo from Kathy so we didn't have to drive tonight. Thats 10 points in the favorite uncle book.

Almost forgot to talk about blood donation. We talked to the nurse about people donating that aren't matches (o+) to Alivia. I didn't know this (thanks for pointing it out Lynn) but if someone donates in Alivia's name even if it is not a match she gets a credit towards her account. They need to have a pint for every one they use and so Alivia needs credits in her name. We also found out that if you are not a blood match but want to donate in her name you can donate at Lancaster General or your local hospital. I'm not sure if you can outside of PA. But if you do go in ask if they can credit the Central Penn Blood Bank for Alivia Haughery who is being treated at Hershey Medical Center. The number to call at Lanc. General is 544-4931. We can use as many credits as we can get. Just in case we need them down the road. So start donating. Thanks everyone.


Pray for...
...continued drops in the WBC
...a raise in the Red BC
...continued good health for Alivia (no outward signs)
...teeth to come through
...rest and peace for the Allen/Haughery familys