I apologize for not posting sooner. I was planning to post an update after Emerson’s year post transplant visit, but there were some complications at that visit. Emmy’s initial test results were showing a slow heart rate and fluid around her heart. Results from blood work indicated concerns with her kidneys. Then her blood work revealed a new auto aumune disease which was hypothyroidism. She is now taking daily medication in order to help try to stabilize her thyroid. They keep increasing her dosage, but her thyroid is not cooperating. Her medication is giving her terrible headaches. So we picked up a couple of new doctors to help with her thyroid.
Emerson went again today to go through a series of tests. The audiological test revealed loss of hearing in the left ear. We are going to repeat this test because she has also been very congested and that can affect her audiological test. She completed her pulmonary test and that was normal. Her echocardiogram, the one we were worried about the most, came back within normal limits. They are going to continue to monitor her heart. Her blood work reportedly was within normal limits except her for her white blood cells, but the doctor was not concerned. There is one outstanding test which is the engraftment study, but that won’t come back for 10 days. The test results today were an improvement over the last set which is encouraging. The best part is that her life is beginning to look like it did before her transplant. She has been attending school regularly and is able to hang out with her friends. She is playing basketball with her school friends and with her Wildcat team. The doctor said that she feels Emmy will continue to grow in strength and in energy as time progresses. Emmy has had ups and downs the last couple of months, but she continues to amaze us with her strength.
On a happy note, Emmy finally got some news she was waiting for since December! In the hospital, Emmy begged for a puppy and we said no! However, in December for her birthday we finally caved and said she could get a puppy, but not until the summer. We finally found a breeder we liked in March. The puppies were born yesterday so in June we will be taking a ride to North Carolina to get our new puppy, Raleigh. #fighter is excited