February 13, 2006
Today is Day 3, in chemotherapy-speak. Unfortunately, today is not such a great day. She is very weak and the reality of it all is starting to set in. She is still uplifted by the thought of visitors, though! Truly, it is difficult to complain since we are at one of the BEST hospitals in the world for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and her doctors are fantastic. Her care here leaves nothing to complain about... except perhaps the frequent nurse visits in the middle of the night :) All in all, she is still doing so much better than three days ago. Each night, either Luke or myself will sleep in a cot next to her for the bathroom breaks every two hours or the necessary oral meds at odd hours of the night. So no worries: she is NEVER alone in there!
For a frame of reference: a normal person's white blood cell count is between 4,000-10,000. When Erica came to Brigham and Women's Hospital, her white blood cell count was at 750,000! After many treatments, it is now down to 125,000 which is still considered "Crisis" but all the nurses find her to be the miracle on the floor! We have staff coming by to check on her that aren't even her physicians just to see the girl who has improved from such a scary place. We are (oddly) so blessed.
Ideally, today they should be putting in a Hickman Line---a double lumen catheter---in a large vein in her chest. This will eliminate having to stick her each time they need blood, give antibiotics, or chemo. It will hopefully remain in her without infection until all her treatments are done, so possibly months or years... If there is no surgery today, we have the green light to put her in a wheel chair and explore the hospital. She is itching to get out of that room and explore. For those of you who know Erica well, you know that she is not one to sit still and watch TV all day!
Her friends from Fletcher are coming each day to say hello--when we aren't snowed in like yesterday--and this brings an instant smile to her face! Perhaps for those of you who were thinking of sending cards, include FUN pictures of yourselves or you and erica together so we can decorate the room some more. She misses EVERYONE so much.
Thank you again for your prayers-------every thought helps!
Jaci
7 comments:
Rica-chan,
Hey dude! I am going to keep this short and sweet because you know I look for any excuse I can to write snail-mail letters. All of my kawaii Japanese stationery was going to waste… until now. An envelope decorated with happy-faced hotcakes saying “eat me” ought to give you a chuckle.
Thinking of you (at least) every hour and wishing for your speedy and full recovery.
With love,
Sandy
Hey A Ree Ka Sensei!
Hello from Buffalo New York! Probably not a non-stop party over there with the nightly nurse visits and hospital food, but for someone who survived The Pink Room, The Yellow Room, The Blue Room, our little friend Hiroki, The H-Bomb , all those crazy mothers, and crazier "teachers" (yours truly at the top of the list), definitely nothing to worry about it!
Keep on getting better and I can't wait to hang out again soon. Its a little snowy now, but Buffalo aint half bad in the summer. How do you like your chicken wings?
O daijani
Greg
Thanks a lot, Jaci, for creating this blog.
Erica, this is Pavel, a fellow Januarian. Stay strong and you will do wonderful. We will come to see you as soon. We are really happy to know that you are doing very well with the treatment.
Erica,
750,000 white blood cells sounds like a overachiever's approach to the problem. Tough all the way down to the microscopic level! I'm so glad you're getting the best care and surrounded by loved ones. Sandy and I are thinking of you everyday and looking forward to your quick recovery. Let's plan on celebrating your recovery soon on some beautiful beach in the Caribbean. I'll be the one in the Muu-muu- don't want you to get sick again looking at my pasty body! ;)
All our love,
Marc
Hey Jaci, thanks for starting this blog, this is a great idea.
Erica!! this is Ester, from the hip hop crew. We haven't met for that long but sharing embarssing stories definetely brings people together ;-) We miss you!! I'll be practicing all the new hip hop steps so I can teach you when you are back.
LOTS OF LOVE!!!
Ester
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