ER visit

Charli has not been feeling well all week :-( She has had a cough and runny nose that just seems to be getting her down. She has done well during the day when she gets to play-play-play all day with her friends. However, when she actually has to slow down for the day (while at home of course!) she would get very fussy and we could just tell she didn't feel good.

Last night around 6:00 she spiked a fever. Because she still has her port (until NEXT Friday) we had to take her in to get blood work done to rule out any infections. Before doing the blood draw they did look her over pretty good and discovered an ear infection. This is most likely what caused the temperature. But, we can not be too safe so she did have to have the blood drawn from her port. She is such a trooper. Imagine this...being held down on a bed and having large needle poked into your chest (into the port). Would you cry and make a fuss? Charli did not. She is so tough and strong - all the nurses and doctors always comment on how well she tolerates all that she goes through. Now...she doesn't like being held against her will, so she was a bit upset about it...but nothing like she should be! While we were waiting to access the port and again when we were waiting for the initial report she so calmly slept on my shoulder. How peaceful and wonderful it was for me!

The initial blood work came back looking okay, with her white count where it should be. However, they will still do the blood culture for two days to make sure there is nothing. In the meantime she is on an antibiotic for 10 days and ear drops as needed. I hope that everything clears up and she is "good as new" before having to go to Omaha Friday. I would hate for the surgery to be postponed due to her being sick. So please, say your prayers!

I read on another mom's blog today about her daughter who was complaining of a stomach ache. And she said something that rings true for me. When your child is a cancer survivor or warrior nothing goes unnoticed. Without sounding negative, I see the weird looks a lot of people give me when I express my concern about Charli being sick or acting "funny". I can feel the "you are over reacting" vibes you send me! However, the pit is always in our stomachs that it is more than meets the eye. And, as this mom said...unless you are a parent of a child who is fighting or has fought cancer you will never understand the pain that any "off" movement gives. And it is true. I can't remember who I told this to a few days ago, but I said my head tells me that Charli is just fighting a cold and feeling yucky, but my heart always fears it is something more. Some of you may remember that I told myself for three weeks (before her diagnosis) that it must be her ears, teeth, etc...prolonging her actually diagnosis. So...hopefully most of you can try to understand why we are the way we are. But I realize there will always be those who think we are nuts and we need to just let our child get sick like a "regular kid". The thing is...she isn't a "regular" kid!!

Bottom line - we are confident she has an ear infection and should be feeling good as new in no time! PRAISE GOD for this. Oh, and this is her FIRST ever ear infection...we are very lucky to have made it this long!!