Haley’s Giggle

Today was one of the most fascinating post-transplant days. Before the transplant, Haley would only eat green peas and a bit of sweet potato. If you tried to sneak in something sweeter, evern carrots, she would wince and grimace and sometimes spit up. Today she wolfed down and Apple/Blueberry mixture and then later an Apple Dessert mixture.  I tried giving her peas, the only thing she used to eat, and she flatly refused. It seemed, in exactly one day, her appetite switched entirely.  I have read and heard about people who get transplants who have taken on the appetite and cravings of the donor. It will be interesting to find out later if Haley’s donor has a sweet tooth.

I normall don’t respond to comments, but I wanted to elaborate on something that Dana wrote today. She said that the biggest struggle will be letting my guard down as Haley gets stronger and stronger. It’s already started, Dana, that is not only the struggle within me, but it’s the struggle with anyone who comes in contact with her, who let Haley put her fingers in their mouths.

Kids are inherently messy. And New York is inherently dusty and grimy. Even if I wipe down the apartment everyday, twice a day, there is always something that needs another wipe down. So for now, I still view every spec of dust or dirt as a potential source of infection. I’ve resumed with cleaning with alchohol first, as antibacterial is not antimicrobial. I’ve come to watch the habits of those who come to visit to see where and how I should clean up. I’ve turned everyday household items into cleaning agents. The blue gloves are used as dirty diaper receptacles. toothbrushes become tools for hard to reach corners.  paper cups become mini dishwashers for the syringes. I’m telling you, I’m a modern fay Macguver.

Guests today were Aunt Bea and Unle Stan, and Dian.

 Funny moment of the day was the realization that in the Cinderella DVD, slecting the “bonus” section will lead to a list of “cinderella” moments in sports, hosted by ESPN Classic.

White Blood Cell: 6.5

ANC: 4.9

Platelets: 172

Hemaglobin: 9.1

Tcells: 165

Bcells: 623

Before I say anything, let’s hear it for those platelets! That has been the most fun number to watch. The Hemaglobin has fallen, but they have cancelled clinic on Thursday altogether, wanting to see the effect of not taking her blood out on her Hemaglobin levels. And the magic number, so long as the red blood cells level off at some point, are those Tcells; they need to passed the 200 mark before we can go home.

Today, Haley spoke her first words, and they were “Happy Bad Mother’s Day!” Before I get a bunch of comments telling me I’m not a bad mother, you must understand what happened this morning. I am supposed to lather on the lidocaine about an hour and half before I think they will draw her blood. Only this time, they drew her blood a half hour earlier than I had anticipated. Remind you, it is no needle that you’ve ever seen. So when it when in, and Haley screamed, I’m sure I heard her singing “Happy Bad Mother’s Day to you.”

Luckily, we went out to brunch with favorite nurse on her day off. She kept saying she can’t get over how good Haley looks. In fact, the Attending who wants to marry her and the Attending on call said in surprising voices how good she looks. So the question i had, naturally, was what is she supposed to look like? It was the sudden reminder, after a great weekend, of all the things that could go wrong. That even if everything would be OK, oftentimes, the patients don’t look it.

Guest today was favorite nurse, though we were at a cafe, and not at the apt. Passersby were Aunti Lori and Uncle Lenny, who met us outside while en route to a dinner.

Funny moment of the day was when Anna, decked out in her new Cinderella dress, was watching the dancing scene between Cinderella and the Prince.

Anna: Mommy, can you dance with me?

Me: Sure, Cinderella. Am I the Prince?

Anna: No, your the mommy! Now can you twirl me?

Today was yet another outside day. We spent almost all of it in Central Park.  While Aunt Bea sat with Haley on a nearby hillside, Auntie D, Anna and I hit the kiddie amusement park. but after we were through with the rides, we joined Aunt Bea, Shaya and Haley. Although it wasn’t on anyone else’s mind (why should it have been), the risk of Haley contacting the dirt either directly or through one of us was high and dangerous). Dirt has fungi and mold, and she’s not allowed really to be in contact. So you wash yourself off, you wash Anna off before you two touch Haley. But is it good enough?

And you look at Haley’s stroller, and it’s covered in dust and pollen, and you know she’s been breathing it in. And you wonder if she suddenly feels warm to you. It was a lovely day but still the major part of it was spent worrying about what may have been contracted and wishing there was a portable sink and soap, because purell doesn’t seem good enough right now.

Guests were: Aunt Bea, Auntie D, and Shaya.

Funny moment of the day was when Anna ate cotton candy for the first time.