Day 16

I had a sleepover with Kristine last night.  Upon arrival, I was pulled aside by the charge nurse and notified that Kristine would be changing rooms that evening.  I was surprised given the hour, it was eleven o'clock.  So away I went, packing up everything in Kristine's room for her to be transferred somewhere else in the Oncology unit.

Apparently Kristine's room was the only room in the hospital that was equipped and properly ventilated for a person with a communicable disease, like tuberculosis.  There had been an individual admitted into the ER who required Kristine's room.  So arrangements were made and patients played "musical rooms" to the chiming of the midnight bells.

It made for a late night for Kristine and I but we got her mostly settled by 1:30AM.  She is now housed in room 239.  We curled up in our blankets, she in her bed and I in the makeshift hospital converter chair.  We both had a decent amount of rest though we were anxious for morning to come with the news of her test results.

Morning arrived with a visit from an old friend.  Kristine and I were slow to reach the full upright position, but eventually did so and enjoyed our visit with Scott.  Dave soon arrived as did our dad, with breakfast in tote.  Kristine had a good appetite and ate her french toast.  (Thanks Momma, it was yummy!!!)  A headache soon followed and we all did what we could to help ease her pain.

To pass the time as we awaited Dr. Jacoub's arrival, I continued to organize Kristine's room.  The hours passed one by one.  My dad and I expected the doctor to arrive between ten and eleven.  Dave said he probably wouldn't arrive until possibly twelve or one.  By 2pm, we started to let our minds wander as to why he hadn't come to tell us the news yet.  Was he busy planning Kristine's next form of treatment?  Was it going to be another regimen of chemo?  Or was it going to be a treatment to help her bone marrow start producing blood cells?

Around quarter to 3pm, I called Dr. Jacoub's office to get an estimate on his ETA.  He immediately rushed over to Kristine's room and gave us the news -- perfect.  Yes, that's what he said, "Perfect!"  Kristine's test results had come back showing no leukemia cells.  The chemo had worked.  We all let out a sigh of relief and tears welled in our eyes.  Kristine had just overcome one HUGE hurdle in this journey.  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!!!

Though this was GREAT news, we knew Kristine would still have long road to full recovery.  Now she will begin her treatment which will come in the form of injections to induce her bone marrow to start manufacturing her own blood cells.  This process will approximately 7 to 10 days.  After this time, if things go as planned, Kristine's blood levels should reach a normal level.  Kristine will undergo evaluation for her the next step in her treatment which will be at either Cedars Sinai or City of Hope.  Assuming she's a good candidate for a bone marrow transplant which is what Kristine's needs as a cure to her leukemia, my sisters and I will then be tested to see if one of us is a match.  

At this time, Kristine has absolutely NO IMMUNE SYSTEM.  She has no way of fighting off any "bugs" she is exposed to.  Dr. Jacoub said it is imperative Kristine does not develop a fever.  Dave is asking she have no visitors until her blood levels reach a normal level.  However, he encourages you to call her with well wishes, but please try to keep the calls fairly short as she is still weary and continues to suffer the effects of chemo.

So, on to the next chapter in this saga.  I want to apologize for getting this news out to you so late.  You have no idea how many times I've tried to finish writing this blog today. Another big thank you to all our prayer warriors out there!!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!  MUCH LOVE, APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO ALL!!!