Chemo Round 8

Friday was Ashlynn's 8th round of Chemo.  We were expecting a pretty quick visit to DHMC, but things didn't go quite as planned.  When we got Ashlynn's blood work back we realized she was right on the cusp of needing a blood transfusion.  After talking to Garrett we decided that we should go ahead and do the transfusion while we were already at the clinic.  The last time Ashlynn ended up needing a transfusion her blood counts dropped very quickly, and she became a VERY cranky baby.  Garrett and I both hate the thought of Ashlynn getting someone elses' blood, but even more than that we hate when she doesn't feel well.  Her doctors have assured us over and over that there are not too many risks with getting the blood, and it's not at all like it used to be as far as diseases being transmitted through the blood.  I also asked Dr. Kim about direct donation from family members.  She advised against that because it would take too long for the blood to be ready for Ashlynn, and also if Ashlynn should ever need a transplant it would be more likely her body would reject the organ.  (Don't worry- we are not expecting that she would ever need a transplant!)  Finally after a few hours at clinic we had figured out a plan, and we were just waiting for Ashlynn's new blood to arrive.  We decided to do what we always do- PLAY!  Off to the playroom we went!  Ashlynn really had been enjoying the play kitchen, and also the company of a few friends we see every week.  When Ashlynn's blood arrived we settled into one of the rooms to watch a Dora movie and hang out for 2 hours while Ashlynn got her chemo and then her new blood.  Both times Ashlynn has had a transfusion her doctors have told me that she will most likely nap through the whole thing.  HA! this hasn't happened either time.  The new blood seems to energize her, and she becomes a crazy lady.  After her transfusion was over we were sent on our way.  Luckily she napped on the ride home.  We are looking forward to getting through Ashlynn's last 'big treatment' on week 10, and getting closer and closer to the FINISH of CHEMO!!!

We want to send out a huge thank you to all of my co-workers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, everyone has been so generous with us.  It is such a great feeling to know that we have so many people thinking of us on a daily basis.