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What started out as a site to update on our daughter's cancer has thankfully grown into a site to update on our beautiful family of four. Enjoy our journey...

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Good morning world!

Charli’s temp has been great through the night, low actually. Since we have been here (at 10:00 yesterday morning) she has only drank 1 ½ oz, but she did eat ½ a jar of turkey and gravey! I think the turkey smelled like cat food! YUMMM.

Charli is getting two antibiotics to combat 99% of what could possibly come back from the culture (which we hope comes back negative). I know how some of you feel about giving antibiotics when not necessarily needed…and I don’t want to hear it! The benefit of using antibiotics far out ways the risk in these types of situations.

Later this afternoon Charli will receive her first blood transfusion. We have to wait for the antibiotics to finish in about an hour, and wait for the blood bank to send the product. The transfusion itself will last about two hours I believe. This transfusion is for red blood cells only, not platelets or plasma.

She didn’t sleep well last night, but she did have a nice nap this morning, and is trying to nap again…so we hope for a good day!

Hello to all the new readers that have visited in the past day or two, from the neuroblastoma (NB) site and thank you for your support. I realize and respect that you have all walked in our shoes yourself.

THIS JUST IN….GREAT NEWS. Once the transfusion is complete we will be able to come home. WHOOOP-WHOOOP!!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great News!!!!!!!

AndreaChad said...

We are glad to hear that Charli is feeling better today!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the updates...I will try to remember to check here rather than keep asking with every email :) Love you guys! Grma P

Anonymous said...

I´m also a mom from the Nb list. My daughter was dx with stage 3 at 7 months old. I am here if you need anything. I´ll be praying for your sweet little girl.

SarahB. mom to Laura (www.carepages.com/Laura Brennand)

Anonymous said...

Dear Priester Family,

I just read your post to the Neuroblastoma listserve and I wanted to give you an inspiring story!

My daughter, Molly Hollway was diagnosed with Stage 3 Neuroblastoma in 1993. She was just over 1 year old. Very similar to Charli.

Today she is a vibrant survivor.....she dances, she plays tons of sports, she loves to raise money ffor a cure for Neuroblastoma. Please see her web page to read her story.

We will keep your family in our prayers. Charli is beautiful....... We live in Minneapolis, not too far from you!!

God Bless,....May Molly's story bring you hope!!

Love, The Hollway's
Mary, Bill, Billy 19, Mike 17 and Molly 14
Molly's story: http://www.maryhollway.com/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=705754&NF=1

Anonymous said...

Brenda.
Nell and I are rereading your blogs, and so happy that we got to the end and heard the good news. It sounds very confusing to me, but we know that you will be glad to be home. Plan to see you on Sunday. AJ

NB Warrior said...

Brenda, on my post the other day... the one about NB.. I said there was a family that gave us hope.... That family was the Hollway family. Mary posted a comment on your blog! =) How sweet!

Glad to hear that you guys get to go home!!! YEAH!!! =)

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda! I am so happy to hear that after the transfusion, you'll be going home! Please hug Charli for me and know that I am thinking of you three. I look forward to talking with you soon. Love, Courtney

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda,
My, oh my, you are simply amazing! How blessed Charli is to have the world's best mommy! I really mean it. I am totally inspired by you and your raw, unadulterated honesty and willingness to share all of your emotions during this roller coaster ride. I just read the "Don't Pity Me" entry and just want to say that I don't pity you at all. I think you and your family have been given this trial as a way to affirm your faith in the Lord and in a bizarre way, I see it as a gift. You, undoubtedly, treasure every moment with your baby. How many of us moms can say that? How many of us get wrapped up in our impatience, fatigue, and aggravation from time to time? You have a renewed perspective into how absolutely precious and amazing of a gift you were given in your baby girl. Charli was put on this earth to teach us all many important lessons. It hurts me to think of her and you and Chad in pain, but I know in my heart, she WILL beat this. She has so many people who love her, even those who have not ever met her.
Continue to be strong and have a great time at your event this weekend. I know it will be an amazing outpouring of love and support.
Many, many hugs,
Lauren Borack

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Charli is doing better! You are a fabulous Mom and Charli is so lucky to have you.
Sending you prayers and hugs!

Kim

Anonymous said...

Dear Brenda, Chad and beautiful Charli!
We are all thinking of you and prayers all over California are coming to you; our "Mom's In Touch" group and our church and school. We love all of you; when you're tired of being so strong remember how many people you don't even know who are being touched by your family and precious baby Charli. We love you and hope you will get to go home soon. Love, cousin Janet

Anonymous said...

Came across your site on the site of Penelope London, who was profiled a couple weeks ago in the Wall Street Journal.
We are praying for your precious little girl's rapid recovery, and for all kids suffering from NB and other malignancies. You guys are heroes!

Warm thoughts,
The Easley family

Anonymous said...

Just a word of encouragement, I am a 27-year-old survivor of neuroblastoma cancer. It can be beaten!!!