First Blood Counts post-chemo

All of Madelyn's counts were good on 3/1, but this is the time where they will continue to drop. We have another appointment on 3/5 to do repeat blood work. We are giving her the Lugol's solution, which is simply iodine tincture. This is to protect her thyroid from the radioactive iodine required for the MIBG scans. We will have 3 days of scans 3/6-3/8. We're not sure when we'll have the results. These scans should show any neuroblastoma in her body. This depends on how the neuroblastoma tissue takes up the dye. The reasons we are getting this done is that now, since she has started chemotherapy, the tumors may actually change and the neuroblastoma tissue may start to go away. It is not possible to differentiate between a tumor with NB or one that has shifted to another type of tissue. So, the MRI might show the tumor is the same size, but an MIBG would hopefully show less or no "glow" from the dye, thus the NB tissue would be going away.

Madelyn is her most vulnerable this weekend, so we will be camping here. Sheila is running out today, but Maddy is staying put with Daddy.

We are still trying to sell the boat to help pay for medical bills. Since I changed jobs, we don't get a full paycheck for me until 3/16 so things are a little tight. Hopefully it is only temporary. ERA realtors have sent some money through their inter-office mail. We are probably going to refinance Sheila's car loan for a lower rate and consolidate her student loans. I know this may seem a little too much info, but I want you all to know that have offered to help that we are trying to get things in order so we can weather this. If we do need help in the future, it won't be before we have exhausted our
options.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Judy Lennon for taking the lead on our fundraising efforts. Larry Maio, our pastor at Seacoast, brought our situation to the congregation last week and they sent us $100. It feels good to know that in this cynical world we live in, people are still good and love one another.

I am going to stop now as I am being beckoned to help clean the house. THank you all and we love you very much.