Back at home

We are so happy to report Bree is back home. Her surgery went really well on Thursday. Thanks for all the thoughts, phone calls & comments wishing for a successful procedure for her. She recovered quickly and nursed right away. She seemed so hungry (as she should've been - they starved her for 8 hours!) and she ate really well. Before her surgery I was so nervous because I couldnt give her anything past 6am. She was scheduled for 2pm and they dont like anything to be in her tummy so she doesnt risk aspirating (choking) while she is asleep. Thankfully she did really well. She took a long nap from 6:30-9:30am then played in the toy room. Just when she started to get fussy they called us back to the Pre-op. She fell asleep on my shoulder as we were waiting nearly 2 hours to be called back to surgery...it was a loooong day!
She came out with an IV in her right hand.
This was supposed to last 2 more days so she could finish up her antibiotics via IV. Well, late that night (12:30 am to be exact) the nurses noticed that her IV had come out. She was due to receive 2 antibiotics that night so she needed to get the IV back in. Hesitantly, I woke her up and she got poked several times. I'll spare everyone the gruesome details. Finally, after 4 tries, 3 different nurses, tons of screaming and 2 hours later, an IV in her inner arm was placed. This topped the charts for one of the worst nights we've ever had! It was so hard doing this to a little baby that has no idea why she is getting poked over and over again. FInally, I got her to go back to bed about 3 am and she slept like a rock. The poor baby had such a horrible night. I'm really trying to tone down how hard this was. I think only myself and the nurses that night will know how traumatizing this was for her and me. I know I could have let the nurses take her and place me not see what they were doing, but I really didnt want to leave her. The instant she was done I wanted to be there for her.

Anyway, the next morning I noticed her arm was looking puffy so I called the nurse in and sure enough, the IV was no good anymore because it was infiltrating under her skin instead of her veins. So, they had to pull out this IV too. I was beside myself because I didnt want to put her through what she had already gone through the night before. However, the doc came in and told me that she could get a shot in the leg of her antibiotics and that would last her through the last dose (24 hours). That meant she wouldnt need another IV. Horrah!!! Better yet, he said after her shot he'd let her go home! Yeah Yeah Yeah!!!

She came home on Friday afternoon and was so happy to be home. She was a little apprehensive of her brothers becuase they wanted to see her, kiss her and after everything she went through she was nervous of people being so close to her. Fortunately it didnt last long and she was loving being the center of attention with her brothers.

This Thrusday she will have several tests done to determine if the cancer is gone out of her bone marrow and how much her tumor has shrunk. They will determine if surgery and/or radiation is necessary. The tests she will get will be an MRI, a bone marrow biopsy and a MiBG scan. She will be put to sleep again with general anesthesia. The MRI will determine how large her tumor is, where it is located exactly, and if surgery is necessary. A bone marrow biopsy will tell us if there are any cancer (neuroblasts) cells left. We are specifically praying that there be no cancer found there. The MiBG scan will show if there are any neuroblasts left anywhere in her body. This test will make the cancer cells "glow" and if she does need surgery, it will tell us exactly where the tumor is located & if radiation would be needed. (It's basically a more intense MRI).

I meant to have this posted before Sunday, but it didnt happen and I apologize...Many have asked if we are going to have a group fast for Bree and what to specifically fast for. We thought that since tomorrow is Fast Sunday we thought it'd be a great opportunity to fast as family & friends tomorrow and specificially pray that Bree's cancer be in remission, that there are no cancer cells found in her bone marrow and also pray that she not need surgery or radiation. We know that this might seem a lot to ask of Heavenly Father and regardless of the road to recovery, our greatest desire is that she be completely well. I know I am posting this so late so if you read this after Sunday and want to join in the fast, Justin and I will probably be fasting again on Thursday, the day of her tests, and anyone is welcome to join us.

We are anxious, nervous, excited to finally be at this point in her treatment. I want to know so badly that her body has been able to fight off this cancer completely. Until the next time, here are some pictures of our last stay...

She loved this little car. This stay we went on lots of walks around the hospital. We definitely need to get one of these now. She loves to drive!
She seemed to like this book of Barney and started giving Barney kisses all on her own. I thought it was so sweet.

Since she liked the Barney book I thought we'd try a Barney movie. I had no idea she'd love it so much. Caleb is such a big fan of Barney and now he'll be so excited to watch Barney with Bree!
No more broviac!! She had several skin tears due to the tape around her broviac dressing. Her skin is so sensitive. I'm so glad she'll have the chance to heal now.
As usual, even though she's been through so much, she's still smiling!