Happy 4th of July!

Haylee had a successful platelet transfusion around 11:30pm Monday night.  Jill and I were nervous about if the vein would blow out so just in case, she ran the platelets through the IV machine so she could control the flow and it was successful!  Haylee slept right through it. 
We played the waiting game for surgery until about 1:15pm on Tuesday.  Haylee couldn't have any food or liquids before surgery and she was ANGRY!  She was very snippy and on edge all day, naturally.  Surgery came to get her and she was in good spirits.  She even went down with no Versed, no silly medicine at all; just all natural Haylee (and she was even giggly!).  Even though I was nervous for her, she kept saying she wasn't nervous at all and that made me relax a bit.  Nonna was there to keep me company and help keep my mind off the waiting while she was in surgery which was a HUGE help.  The surgeon came to see us at about 2:45 and let us know everything went well!  He said she had some scar tissue but not too bad, there was a little fluid and blood there which he sent off to be cultured for bacteria just in case (since she's been on an antibiotic for 23 days, it should cover any bacteria in there if there is any) and he gave us his opinion on the Power Ports (he hates them!).  We went back to her room to wait for her to get out of recovery and be wheeled back upstairs.
Earlier Tuesday morning, Colleen peeked in and let us know that....HAYLEE WOULD BE GOING HOME AFTER SURGERY!!!!!  The 'tomorrow' we had been waiting on for 1 1/2 weeks FINALLY arrived!  While we were waiting for Haylee to get back upstairs, we packed up everything and loaded the car. 
Haylee got back to the room about 4pm.  She was awake and again, she was angry.  She didn't want anyone messing with her.  She had a reaction on her face to the tape they used to secure the breathing tube down her throat.  It literally ripped some skin off her face almost like a burn.  I was told to just put Aquaphor or Neosporin on her face to keep it moist.  She drank 3 or 4 juice boxes and ate some crackers, Amanda gave her a dose of Morphine for the ride home, and Colleen gave me a prescription for Hydrocodone for any pain Haylee may have. 
We got home around 7pm and Haylee was feeling good, but tired.  She went to bed around 9pm and I crawled in bed with her just to keep my eye on her since I don't have a Pulse/Ox machine at home!  Haylee woke up this morning feeling good!  She still seems a little tired but in good spirits!

She has a clinic appointment next Tuesday for a physical, labs, and results on her BMA.  Until then, she has to wear a mask any time she leaves the house and if she's in close quarters with anyone other than immediate family.  The following week, she will go back to clinic for a physical, labs, and to start maintenance! 

The road was long, long, long but the intensive part of it is over.  Some days were bad, some days were really bad, but all in all most days were pretty good.  She came out of all of this on top and on the road to a complete recovery.  The huge amount of love and ongoing support that was shown to us during these past 7 1/2 months was so great and so positive that without it, things would've been harder to get through.  We appreciate everything and everyone that helped us out financially, physically, and emotionally.  Haylee still has 2 years of maintenance therapy to complete and then the 5 year countdown to cured begins after that.  I will continue to blog 1-2 times a week to update on her progress. 


Tuesday's Counts
WBC - 1370
HGB - 10.8
Platelets - 100k
ANC - 80
SEGs - 6
Monos - 21

The fundraiser is still going on!!  We really would like to reach our goal to ensure that all of our financial obligations are well taken care of.  Please promote through Facebook, Twitter, and through email to get the word out!!!  Thanks! 
http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=1892&url=hopeforhaylee


Please pass this along to any and everyone who can help! If you are aware of any other way to get the fundraiser out in the community, please let me know!