Back in the game...

Riley was able to go back to school this morning, and was so excited to see all her friends again. Nana checked her blood counts on Saturday, and I still can't believe how high they had gotten in only 5 days. Her white count was up from 900 to 3,600...still not in the normal range, but a heck of a lot closer. Her ANC was up to 1,200, which is why we decided it was okay for her to go back to school...anything above 750 takes her out of the danger zone. I am waiting on a call back from Houston about starting back up on her nightly chemo pills, but I'm sure just like last time they will have us start back at where we left off. Thank you for all the fever-free prayers...I think that was the first time Riley has been neutropenic (meaning low neutrophil count) and managed to not get fevers. Score 1 for our team!!!

ANC, SchmANC

Riley has decided that having neutrophils is so over-rated. Yesterday was her check-up in Houston, and her ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count, the true infection fighters) was 0. ZERO. She has had a slight cold, so this is the likely culprit of the lack of her infection soldiers. Due to the low count, we are holding off on all her home chemo pills until we check counts again next week...and it also means no school until we check counts again next week. Riley was able to get her Vincristine, the monthly chemo she gets in her port, and we also began the 5 day steroid pulse. The steroid should actually help her counts rebound, so while I am counting to 100 to keep from getting upset at the 'roid raged angel in our house...I will remind myself it is for her own good. Or so they say. Her other blood counts varied. Her white blood count was low, which was not surprising...it was 90, when it should be at least 5,000. Her hemoglobin was a little low at 9.8, but not too low to need transfusion...and her platelet count was great at 186. We will re-check counts locally next Monday, and go from there. We just have to cross our fingers and pray that she does not end up with a temp of 101 or higher...which will automatically put us back in the hospital. So, Riley has once again been instructed to think cold thoughts...let's hope it works.

Our next Houston appointment is set for Monday, October 20th...which will be 1 year to the day we first ended up in the ER at Texas Children's Hospital. I can still remember every second of that day like it was yesterday. The shirt Riley wore that day is still hanging in her closet, and everyday I look at it and am reminded of the day that would end up turning our lives upside down forever. Wednesday, October 22nd will be Riley's 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed with Leukemia. It's so hard to believe it has already been a year...let's just hope the next year flies by just as quickly.

This past Saturday we made a quick trip to Brenham for the annual fair. Reid, Hayes, Aunt Carol, and Nicole joined us...and great fun was had by all. The kids rode ride after ride, and enjoyed watching the rodeo. Riley is still talking about the "girls" that fell off the bulls and almost got stepped on. Why she thinks it was girls riding the bulls, I am not sure. Apparently Nicole told her they were...I'm pretty sure Nicole was talking about the barrell racers, but we'll let it slide.

You know it was a good night, when this is your finished product!!

Happy Birthday Nani! Yesterday was Nani's birthday, and it was nice to celebrate with her and the fam after a long day at clinic. We got to enjoy multiple delicious cakes, and ate way too much. Hope you had a fantastic day, Nani!! Thanks for all you do for us!!

Some recent pics

I found these this morning on the camera, apparently Riley enjoyed taking them of herself...they are pretty darn cute, though!!

Riley and Hayden (well really just Riley) were pretending to be the mommy and little brother yesterday evening, and Riley informed me they were leaving for Las Vegas "because that's where all mommies go". They drove there on the lawn mower. God bless her and her overactive imagination.

We survived!

Just a quick note to say we did survive the hurricane...for any of you that were worried about us. The kids and I did end up evacuating to Brenham, which actually put us more into the path of the storm...we did not have a drop of rain here at our house. We lucked out at my parent's house, only some wind and about 2" of rain...they never lost power and had no real damage anywhere. But we did enjoy some good ol' family bonding!!
Riley was scheduled to return to Houston today for her check-up and chemo, but they did call yesterday to cancel. Someone is supposed to call me today to reschedule for another day this week...we'll see if that actually happens. We hope everyone else fared as well through the storm, and we pray for power to return to Houston very soon...but at least it's a little cooler today for those of you with no AC. Although, if you don't have AC you probably also do not have power, so you wouldn't really be reading this...but it's the thought that counts, right?!

Dancing Queen

Well the most anticipated day in the life of our little princess finally came...yesterday was the first day of dance class!!! Riley started taking these same classes in Shiner last year, but only got to make a few classes before the "KeKe" took over our entire existence. Ever since then she has pretty much asked me every week when she would get to go back to dance class, and now the time has come. The girl LOVES to dance, and had a great time. Granted she doesn't have a lot of rhythm or coordination...but she still gives it her all. They don't let the parents sit in the same room while they dance, so I wasn't able to get any good action shots...maybe next week I will sneak in and take some. Riley's cousin (ok, second cousin but who's counting) Katie is in her class...so they will both look forward to seeing each other and dancing together each week.

Riley has been doing great, and still loving school. Last week they learned about the letter A, and all about apples. Each day she would bring home a different picture of apples that she had colored. One night I asked her why she always colored her apples green instead of red...without missing a beat she put that hand on her hip, cocked her head to the side, looked at me with this "duh, mom" expression and informed me it was because they were granny smith apples. Well, pardon me smarty britches. This week they are on the letter B...they got to blow bubbles outside one day, and even made their name out of beans. They will also get to take their bears or babies to school on Friday for a tea party. Sounds fun, as long as we're not washed off the map by then.

Depending on the outcome of Hurricane Ike we will be returning to Houston Monday for Riley's clinic visit, chemo, and another week of steroids. Why is that the steroid week always seems to drag on, while the weeks in between the steroid week fly by?! Hmm...

Well, we hope you all stay safe during the upcoming storm...if it ever decides which way it is going. Josh will be working all weekend, so I think the kids and I will evacuate to Brenham...I will feel much safer there. I think we will see action either way...but at least I won't be home alone.

Riley-bee and Katie-bug after dance class

Let's help to find a cure...

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, CureSearch has organized a Virtual Walk to raise money in hopes of finding a cure for this awful disease. The walk/fundraiser will be for the month of September, and I have created a page to try and do my part...please click here if you would like to donate in honor of Riley. Please do not feel pressured, I just would like to see something done to help all these brave little cancer cuties who are fighting for their lives. I have read about too many who have lost the fight, and so many who are giving it all they've got try and beat this. If you read on the CureSearch website, they predict that 12,500 kiddos will be diagnosed with cancer in the next year...unbelievable!! I will now get off my soapbox, but please if you feel like helping to make a difference...click here to go to Riley's page. Every little bit helps!!

Thanks!!

Another prayer request

This past Friday night, we lost another brave cancer warrior. Matt Boeer, his blog sight is listed to the right, was only 25 years old. He and his wife Erin were friends of my sister Shelby, and are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Shortly after getting married they found out Matt had Leukemia...and spent their entire married life fighting this horrible disease. Matt beat his Leukemia a couple of times, but if just kept coming back. Please take some time to pray for Matt's family and friends, as they are facing a very devastating loss. Ironically enough September is Childhood cancer awareness month, so please also take some time to pray for all the kiddos fighting Cancer. We are all definitely aware Childhood cancer is out there...now we just need to find a cure, and fast.