Riley keeps us on our toes

We got to enjoy another fun ER all-nighter, Sunday night. Riley took a late nap Sunday afternoon, and when she woke up her temp was 101.7. By the time we talked to all the necessary doctors and got all packed up, it was 8:00 before we got on the road to Houston. We finally got into an ER room around 10:45, but didn't see a nurse until almost 11:30. They checked Riley's blood counts, and her ANC was 500...which is just barely over the cut off mark for having to be admitted. So, she was given 2 different IV antibiotics and at 3:30 am we were discharged. Fortunately, Riley's appointment for yesterday's check-up was not until 1, so we were able to get a hotel room and sleep for a couple of hours.

Yesterday Riley's blood counts had dropped even lower in less than 12 hours, which is expected with this round of medicines. The medicine she is taking now, Ara-C, is known for bottoming out blood counts and also for causing fever...two things that are not our friends right now. Riley's ANC yesterday afternoon had dropped down to 320...her platelet count is 41 and her hemoglobin is 8.9. We are taking Riley back to Houston tomorrow for platelet and possible blood transfusions...since we are continuing to give the Ara-C until Thursday, they are expecting her counts to drop even more. And we were also instructed that any more fever, means automatic admission to the hospital. So, Riley has once again been instructed to think cold thoughts...but our bags will stay packed just in case.

Other than that, things have been going great. Riley feels good, and is even more sassier than before...if that is possible. She and I have had fun playing nurse as we give her Ara-C through her port...she enjoys helping me and is quick to tell me if I am not doing it right. We also enjoyed our last Relay For Life stop this year, Friday night in Brenham. Mom and I took Riley and Hayden, and we were joined for our victory lap by my grandparents...very fitting, I believe, as they are always helping out with Riley and Hayden both. I saw lots of old friends I haven't seen in a while, and Riley was treated like the princess she is known to be. Thank you everyone for loving my kids like you do!!!!

I will continue to keep you updated on Riley's blood counts, and hopefully the next time you hear from me won't be from inside Hotel TCH. We have lots of fun festivities scheduled for the next few weekends, and we don't want to miss any of them.


Riley helping me flush her port, before giving the Ara-C.



Riley and the Tarlton Tribe at Friday nights Relay For Life...Riley was the Tribe Princess.




Our little Princess



Hayden enjoyed Riley's princess cap, and stole the Tribe's lizard...oops!!


This shows what a mother hen Riley is. Braylee is 1 and just starting to walk, so she and Riley made many a lap for her to practice.


Riley and Brayze driving the cars at Fiddler's Frolics. This is a big BBQ cook-off in Hallettsville, complete with carnival and all...oh, and the state fiddling tournament, hence the name.