The Astros LOVE Riley

Riley had her clinic appointment yesterday, and everything looked great. It felt very odd being there after having a month off, and things actually went smoothly. Usually when we are there for spinal taps, everything seems to move in slow motion. Riley's blood counts were all good...Her ANC was 1,230, platelets were 210, and hemoglobin was 11.5. Her white blood count was a little low at 2,000, but they didn't seem too concerned about it. She was able to get her spinal tap, and did so great. Her mood throughout this procedure, I have learned, depends solely upon the mood/actions of the nurse helping us. While Dr. Dreyer is performing the tap, the nurse and I are holding Riley into a ball and trying to distract her from what is going on. We had the best nurse, Caryn, yesterday and Riley hardly even made a whimper during the procedure...what a champ! Riley also got her dose of Vincristine in her port, and started the 5 days of steroids. And, oh joy, because she is growing so much we get to increase the dose of the steroids...did I mention, Oh Joy?! Luckily, it is only 5 days...even though sometimes it feels like 5 months. Then in two weeks we will check her blood counts locally, and go back on July 28th (Riley's 4th birthday) for her next dose of Vincristine.

Riley helping collect the blood from her button

When Dr. Dreyer marks Riley's back before the procedure, she always asks Riley what she wants her draw. It's become a fun game with the nurses for them to try and guess what it is...bet you can't guess what this is. It's a pool with a diving board and some waves...but I told her it looks more a zombie unicorn. She's had all kinds of fun things drawn on her back.

After clinic we headed out to Minute Maid Park to catch up with our new friends, the Astros. We had the best time!! They took us into the Press Conference room and some of the players came by to meet everyone, sign autographs, and take pictures. The mascots came in first and Riley wasn't too excited about them...but then the real fun started. All of the guys were so sweet and sincere, and they all LOVED Riley...but who doesn't?! When Riley saw everyone start coming around and signing their names with markers, she decided that was fun and wanted to sign her name on everything. Some of the players would come to her and want to sign her calendar...but they had to wait until she was finished signing her name first. It was pretty cute. We had so much fun, and even though they lost we enjoyed watching the game. Can't wait until next year!!

Nana, Riley, and Juction Jack

Riley giving her autograph

Riley and Brandon Backe

The Big Puma!!

Carlos Lee

Hunter Pence

The "other" Pumas!!

Go Astros!!