Back and Forth

Cameo sang it best (back, back and forth and forth), Arnold simply stated 'I'll Be Back', the folks in the clinic smiled and said 'Welcome Back' and just like that 'we're back' at the hospital with a neutropenic fever. Perhaps my prayer should have been more than allow us to be home for Paris' Graduation, because we literally left here late Wednesday, enjoyed being able to share in such a wonderful long awaited day and now we are here again.

Mireya's counts were good when we left, but her neutrophils were still considerably low. We'd been on a mission with extra hand washing, sanitizing, mask wearing and lysol spraying, yet we still find ourselves here with some sort of apparent viral or bacterial madness. With the percentage of neutrophils present, it's hard for her immune system to fight off anything. So we'll see where her counts are today, send off a blood culture and wait. We had a great day celebrating Paris' high school graduation and we are so proud of Paris. One chapter ends, as another begins. We're thankful we have such a supportive family and to be surrounded by awesome people we are blessed to call our friends.

We arrived home in the afternoon, met with the Home Health Nurse and learned what it takes to care for and manage this Hickman line. It is no joke. I also had a 'Pay It Forward' moment. As that session was coming to an end my husband took a phone call and relayed the message that someone was on the way to deliver a fruit basket for us. For the life of me I couldn't decipher the name and something, something, something? He's usually much better at relaying information (like we would totally win a game of Taboo with minimal words), but he was so preoccupied with finishing up our session that was all he could offer up. About 10 minutes later a lovely handmade organic fruit arrangement and chocolates was sitting on our porch. The 'Bearer of Goodness' almost got away, but we solved the mystery. My dear and beautiful friend's Mom came by with a token of Celebration and love for us. I am so fond of her and it was such a sweet surprise that really added to my day! One of those moment's where God's love for you is expressed through the heart and thoughtfulness of others. So the 'Pay It Forward' for me is I'm pretty good for that Baked Ziti Meal at a moments notice, but I was so inspired by this basket and how simple, yet creative it was, that I want to give something just like it to brighten someone else's day. I wish I had taken a picture of it, but the children were so excited, we ripped it open, dove in and they totally wrecked shop.

As many of you now know Jalen is a confirmed donor match for his sister. One of the first thoughts that came to my mind when we received this news was Jalen's health. It's crucial that he's well to initiate this process. We spent some time at the pediatrician's office because Jalen woke up complaining of a sore throat, and right now the Boltons are not having it, we can't afford to. Jalen had his adenoids and tonsils removed last summer, but he is still known to be the household distributor of strep throat and any other germs he picks up while away at school. It turns out he has a viral infection and we'll just have to wait out.

Reya is resting now. Her counts have come back low and we are being admitted, in addition she'll be getting a blood transfusion. We'll see the Medical team during their rounds, but we also have a scheduled time later today to go over our new plan of action. Please keep us lifted in prayers for health, strength, clarity and wisdom in decisions. The God we serve is greater than any opposition that comes against us. We continue to praise his name and give him glory because we know everything is working together for the expected end which is restored health and victory over this illness.