5/13/09-FROM ATLANTA

Dear friends,
Julia's bloods counts are still very low. Her neutrophil count is only 10 as of this morning, so she cannot go home until those counts start to rise. She had a good day. She went to the school here from 10:00-12:00 and worked on some school work we brought with us & some that the school faxed up here for her. It's amazing how busy they keep children here. She beat me at a game of battle ship, did a colorful sand art project, played video games...a day goes by so quickly. I guess the hard part of our day was when they had to re-access her port. They took the port access out this morning, because it had been there for a week. She was able to be disconnected from her I.V. pole for a couple of hours while she went to school. But when they had to re-access it, she got very upset & said it hurt. She fought it pretty bad, which was very upsetting to see. The most we could get out of her was that her skin hurt at the sight. After they finished she was fine. ???

I just met a new family whose daughter was diagnosed yesterday with A.L.L. They were desperate for information. I was actually able to help her with info along with my friend, Sarah, who has been here for 5-6 months. I remember so well how we felt 2 months ago today, on March, Friday, the 13th. Have a good evening, and please pray for white blood cells for Julia & so many other children on this floor that desperately need them.
Love,
Sharon