Araeya is now (hopefully) at her lowest point. She is certainly in the suck, but keeps fighting hard to push through. We are constantly reassured that what she’s experiencing is normal, and she’s on the predicted schedule.

What’s happening:

• She has developed mucositis from the chemo. Hers is slightly different from the norm. It usually starts in the mouth, then moves down the digestive tract. She had it in her mouth for a day, and then that went away and it immediately moved to her stomach.
• Because of the mucositis, she has been nauseas and constant stomach pain. This has drastically reduced her ability to eat or drink.
• The attempt to place a nasal gastric tube for nutrition failed when it curled up during placement. Rae was extremely brave during the attempt, but refused to give them a second attempt. She is now getting nutrition supplemented through her central line. She does still try to eat and drink when she feels good enough, and often challenges us to find odd things at odd times. For example: Chik-Fil-A milkshakes on a Sunday (they’re closed, thanks Emma and Sophia for trying!) or snow cones at 10am on one of the coldest days…she settled for a dove ice cream bar.
• Her blood levels (white blood cells and neutrophils) have hit their lowest point following the chemo and transplant. Rae will continue being in this difficult time until the transplant takes and begins growing new cells. This commonly occurs 1-2 weeks post-transplant. They anticipate at least another week at this low point.
  • Once the neutrophils show at least .5 for 3 straight days she is considered engraved (transplant was successfully). This is when the healing will begin.
• She is now on Ativan and morphine for the nausea and pain. She is spending a fair amount of time resting in bed. When she is awake, she tries to catch up with friends, draw on her iPad, work on arts/crafts, play bingo, and watches Heartland on Netflix.

Again, thank you to everyone who continue to pray for her, and send her encouraging messages! So often your prayers have worked wonders! Rae (and Nicole and I) are incredibly humbled and grateful!

We hope to see you 2/2 at Washington Square for the COTA fundraiser event!