Wooopeee. Good news. Glad she got to see the fire works. Wish I could give blood but my veins don't allow it. I can barley get enough out for testing when needed.

What a wonderful update to read today, YEA!!!!!!! Glad she liked the fireworks, did you manage to dodge the rain?

So happy to hear the good news! Keep it coming!

We have a blood drive this weekend, the red cross was on the news this morning. I always give, but it makes my hubby sick to see the blood at all so he can't come with me. I am SOSOSOSOSO glad that the bear is feeling better. HE listens to us!!

Our bank has started in in-house blood-drive every 50 some days (which is the time you can give again). The slots have been full every time.

Beagle and Boomer, when they give blood they can also choose to be added to the national doner registery for Luekemia Our blood mobile now asks every donor (at the bank's request) if they want to be added. We've had amazing success adding to the list of potential donors

The bear had a reaction after a transfusion yesterday. It sounds like she'll be ok, but quite scary nonetheless.

Check out momma bear's post on the Website

OMG! I hope they can relax a little more today.

Thanks PL for keeping us posted. Prayers still coming their way. I can't imagine, I'm not sure I would have the strength, but I guess when you love someone, you find it.

Dear Becca, Little Bear and Daddy Bear,

I cannot imagine where you get the strength and fortitude you show time and again. Saying a prayer seems so small in comparison yet it's all I have to offer. So, I'm doubling my efforts and asking all my personal angels to step it up a notch too. Wishing a speedy recovery for the Bear and sending lots of (((hugs))) for all of you.

I can't imageine what a difficult and scary night that was for you all. I'm glad things seem to be better and you will be in my prayers, as always. I printed a copy of Natalie's picture from the website and posted it on the board next to my desk, keeps her in my thoughts all day. Anyone that comes in to my office, asks who she is and after I tell them about her, they add her to their prayers also. Hope you can feel that we are all with you.

Hug our bear for me. The little dear is such a fighter and so are her lovely parents. We're keeping the entire family in our prayers!

waiting for news on the Bear....I've been checking her journel, but no update since they brought her home. Hoping and praying that all is going well.

Me too. I keep checking to see if we have an update, how are things going? How is "our" little girl doing????

I am hoping that no news = good news!

Things are better...
Sorry for the delay in updates...

Let's see...Natalie's hemoglobin on Tuesday was 10. The level is good, but since the hospital didn't do a check of it after her transfusion on Monday, we don't know if it's a steady level or not. Today it is 9.0. A slight drop, but not enough to admit us. Retic is up to 3.2 the highest that it has ever been (when she was diagnosed with PTLD and IHA (immune hemolitic anemia), it was 0.2). This means that the bone marrow is starting to create new red blood cells - a positive thing.

The CT angiogram went well yesterday. The most difficult part was putting an IV in Natalie. Her PICC line was too small for the fast flowing contrast that they wanted to use. But our (nurse) friends from IR were around and since they didn't have any patients at the time, they offered to use an ultrasound to help them place the IV. And right before, they gave Natalie a little versed (a sedative) to help calm her...ah, versed. This was a great help!

Then we proceeded to the CT scan room. They were running late, a PICU patient bumped us. But we'd rather be bumped than be the patient doing the bumping, so we waited.

Natalie was a hoot yesterday. Her Papa Dempsey came with and she talked and played with him all day.

Partial results from yesterday's CT scan:
*Lymph nodes (issue from PTLD) are improving.
*Bile duct dilation was seen, but also improved.
*Portal vein issue is stable. It has not narrowed anymore, and there is not clotting to be seen behind the narrowing. It actually widened a small (1mm) amount - this is a small improvement.

Glad to hear the good news!

Ditto on the good news

Glad to hear the news is promising...but Mom...you sound exhausted...I hope you all can get some rest this weekend.

Funny - I thought the same thing when I read the thread.
Mom sounds very exhausted....is their any way you guys can get a little break. Even for a couple of hours. I think you and Jason need a nice dinner out and a long relaxing bubble bath!

Don't forget while you take care of that precious angel of yours to take care of yourself.

Congratulations on the good news.

Thoughts and Prayers Becca.

Be sure to check out the new bear pictures on her webpage under Pictures ---> Lots of Fun

Thanks guys, I'm not sure why I sound exhausted honestly, I didn't mean to come across that way...sorry .
But being home, sleeping in my own bed, and running on the treadmill did me a world of good this morning! And I'm discovering that coffee - ick - is fast becoming a dear friend.
Natalie just called me (daddy helped) and said "Quack, quack, quack" into the phone...I'm instantly feeling energized!

It was good to read your update. Isn't it amazing how sleeping in your own bed, even for one night, can made a difference. Take care of yourself, as always, yous guys are in my thoughts