Day +19

After well over 3 hours of rocking and a dose of Morphine, Alivia finally fell asleep for the evening. That girl can fight sleep like no one else. Today went well. She didn't throw up at all, so it seems we've finally figured out the perfect anti-nausea med schedule. We'll see tomorrow. She took her meds orally and tried to eat a bit (she ate about 40 sweet potato puffs...80 is a serving). She also drank about 4 oz of water throughout the day so that was great. Her poor bottom is a mess. It is so hard to change her diaper. She screams, gets rigid and fights to get away. It is the worst and I seem to always get to do it. I feel like I'm torturing her but I know leaving her bottom dirty will just make life so much worse. Pray that something will start to work and it will get better.

She had another dose of GCFS (white cell growth booster) and it made her WBC's go to 12. Very good. They will now see if she can hold onto them herself again. Pray that she does. She got another platelet transfusion (maybe it was from one of you who donated on Sunday! Thanks so much and thanks to Jeremy S. who donated today!!) Remember if you are A+ and want to donate platelets to Alivia let me know how your name appears on your drivers license and what your birthday is and I"ll get you signed up. You have to be approved by me/signed up by me before you donate or else it won't go to Alivia. Also remember if you are o+ and want to donate Red blood cells to her you can do that also. I need the same info either way.

Sonya and I painted the window at the end of the hall today. Thanks friend for the much needed visit. I had such a good time catching up. And of course can't wait for girls night. I had the best shower I've had in 28 days thanks to one of the other mom's on the floor. They were going to be out of there room for the morning so she let me use their shower. I felt like a real person for a minute and it was amazing. Even if all the other showers are in the gross shower at least I got to take one "normal" shower. Thanks Trish and Jackson.

Anyone who wants to get signed up to be a bone marrow donor can do so Thursday 3/29 from noon till 5 pm at the Hershey Medical Center Auditorium. I think it is free and you don't need an appointment. Just follow the signs to the auditorium from the North entrance. Being a donor doesn't mean you will get a call. It is such a slim chance you will ever match anyone but being someones match would be the greatest thing. I hope someday I match someone so I can repay the favor. Also if you are currently pregnant you can donate your cord blood to the national registry. Just go to marrow.org to get the info you need to donate. Someone out there did that for us and we are so incredibly thankful. I know if we ever have another baby I will donate the cord blood without a seconds hesitation.

Thanks to...
the Youngs for the card
Claudia Curry for the princess building set. it is a huge hit. I'll try to get a picture tomorrow.
The Freemans...great photo Tony and Lori. Major points for winter bathing suits.
Steph C. for the card
Troy, Jodie, Jalen, Bryce and Chase Campbell
Jim, Joann and Brooke Smith for the card and stickers
The Byers for the card, photo and stickers
April S. for my card.

Thanks to everyone is currently doing work on our house. It is such a blessing to know that Alivia will go home to a clean house. Your sacrifice of your time means so much to us. Without you we would most definetly not get this all done. I will try to post some photos from the next work day at our house. (you can still get in touch with Bill H. if you want to help out..there is a ton to do before we get to come home)

Also don't forget to get my your stuff for the nurses ASAP. Get your kids to participate, your neighbors...anyone who reads this. And my dad is in Indiana so you guys have the chance to drop things off at our house or give it to him at work. He will return to Hershy Thursday afternoon so get it to him before noon Thursday.