10:39 am-Neutrophils are on the scene!! White blood counts making a come back today:

Why are NEUTROPHILS so important? I looked up the answer:

Neutrophils are the most common type of white  blood cell, comprising about 50-70% of all white blood cells.  Neutrophils are the first immune cells to arrive  at a site of infection.

Neutrophils are  plentiful and responsible for the bulk of an immune  response.  They are the main component of pus and responsible  for its whitish color.  Neutrophils are present in the bloodstream until signaled to a site of infection by chemical cues in the body.  They are fast acting, arriving at the site of infection within an hour.

Before ingesting invasive bacteria, neutrophils can release a net of  fibers called a neutrophil extracellular trap (NET), which serves to  trap and kill microbes outside of the cell.  When neutrophils ingest  microbes, they release a number of proteins in primary, secondary, and  tertiary granules that help kill the bacteria.  They also release  superoxide, which becomes converted into hypochlorous acid, or chlorine  bleach, which is theorized to play a part in killing microbes as well.

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WE LOVE NEUTROPHILS! I think I am going to have a t-shirt made with that phrase on it. Then, anyone who has ever been a chemo patient will be able to pick us out in a crowd!

Phoebe had a pretty good night. We had some issues with her vent settings but got those squared away fairly quickly. Her hands and feet are very concerning, black and blue and extremely swollen. She has some new blisters on her feet today and the black and blue marks have started on her hands as well. Dermatology just came to look her over and they will be back to consult with us more about her this afternoon. I am praying that her white blood cell counts will cure it all and we will start see an improvement quickly in her hands and feet. Still, no one seems to understand what they are seeing when they look her over which is disconcerting.

So, it’s another mixed bag kind of day. Immune system revving up, is fabulous, hands and feet markedly worse, is a disappointment. Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement in the guest book, and for praying for Phoebe’s come back!

2:08 pm-Prayer Needed:

It’s been a rough day..

We have had a rapid heart rate deceleration episode that brought the whole team in to get her heart rate back up. They tried again to get a Picc line on her today, it failed, AGAIN. A PICC line, is an IV line that goes near her heart in one of her main arteries similar to her port. They have to have a lot of IV access to her since she is receiving so many fluids and meds.

She has IV’s in her groin and both hands and the half-started picc line in her arm as well as her port. Her feet have large blisters on them now that are weeping fluid and her hands are getting the black and blue marks. Her whole body is full of fluid, you can’t see her neck. Her eyelids cannot be opened they are so swollen. They are saying that her feet and hand issues are a result of her chemotherapy which is preferable to the alternative, that she was growing black bacteria or fungus.

She really needs fluid off her body quickly, her edema is getting to the dangerous point and weeping tissue is not good right now because open skin means more opportunity for infection. Please pray…she doesn’t look good and it makes me anxious. She needs her immune system in full force and quick. The doctors have said we are just treading water until she recovers her immune system and that needs to happen before the edema gets worse.
Thank you all for praying,