December 24, 2005

Merry Christmas from our home in Denver! This morning we were told that they planned to release Leah-what a great present! Rene and Hetti, two different doctors covering for the holidays, met with me to explain that Leah's fevers continue to be unexplainable. They have researched everything they can possibly research and no one has any answers. The infectious disease doctor also felt there was nothing more to be gained by further hospitalizations. So, in a highly unprecedented move (they have highlighted that several times) they have sent Leah home. We will continue to monitor her fevers closely, can give Tylenol if we feel she is developing one, and unless we need to do so sooner, should come back next week Wednesday for round two of chemotherapy. Dr. Goldman also met with us before our release. He is another staff doctor in the hem/onc unit, and since he will be the one doing rounds for three weeks in January, we will be seeing more of him. I had called Chris this morning to tell him we needed a ride home, catching him entirely by surprise. He arrived just as Dr. Goldman had stopped to talk with us, so he, too, was able to hear about our unique discharge instructions. Normally two fevers in twenty-four hours of 100+ would mean a trip to Iowa City. One fever of over 101 would also mean an instant trip to the hospital. Leah can have a fever of 102 before we should be concerned. While they have all considered the Vincristine chemotherapy drug as a possible culprit, the general concensus seems to be that the tumor is probably causing the fever. The vincristine Leah receives each week may cause a fever to spike because it is a direct attack on her tumor. Chris and I have both hesitantly stated that we think maybe, just maybe, her tummy looks slightly smaller. This could be because the swelling from surgery has gone down. Every doctor we have met with has stressed that it is too early to be able to measure tumor size difference. The only thing they are concerned with is her AFP (alphafetoprotein) as a marker of chemotherapy effectiveness, and the numbers we receive each week in regards to this are quite positive. We know we have many bumps in the road; they have told us we are on a roller coaster ride, yet we are very happy to be at home for Christmas as a family. This year's celebration of the birth of our Savior is especially meaningful to us.

Merry Christmas to all!