Day 14

Some great video and pictures today, but I will post tomorrow. I'm headed to bed. It was another great day though! No pain pills at all and feeling fantastic.

Day 13

My sweet, brave Millie. You are a fighter and today has been one of the best yet.

This morning during rounds her doctor laughed with me and said that even though she looks fantastic he is still convinced she had a transplant and referred to her as his star patient. Millie, you are a star and everyone can see it.

Brady and I have both been feeling like our luck was coming to an end. Millie has been feeling a lot worse the last couple days, but today she woke up and the first thing out of her mouth was, "I feel great today" and  for the most part it stayed that way.  She sang A LOT! Our fabulous nurse, Kathy heard Millie sing Party In The USA in every key possible. Our visitors Tami, and Tasha also got to hear a rendition of it. She was a party machine today.

When I called this evening to check on her I could hear her giggling. Brady told me they were being silly and teasing each other.  It's now after 11 and every time Brady suggests that she should go to sleep she smiles ear to ear and says "But I'm not tired, besides, it's not like I have anything to wake up for," and giggles.

Millie is getting sick of her mouth-care routine. She does it 4x a day and she gags or throws up every time without fail.  She hates doing it and tears up when it's time, but while I know that prayers and faith are keeping her sores at bay, I also know that she needs to do her part and that it doing her care properly, so we have to push it.  I hate playing the bad guy, but it has to be done and hopefully one day she will understand how blessed she is to not be experiencing the pain most transplant patients face.

Austin was with my mom today and this evening he headed with Nana and Grandpa Jeff to the ranch. I am home alone tonight and I miss my family dearly. I can't wait for us all to be together again.

Day 12

Today was a pretty good day.  Millie didn't feel too good, but she's still doing much better than normal and we're very grateful for that.  At the same time, it's not much comfort to a six year old who spends all day with a sick stomach and a headache to tell her that she's lucky she doesn't feel as bad as most kids do.  While we mention that to her occasionally to try to help her get perspective, we want her to know that we're sympathetic to what she's going through and try to focus on keeping her happy.  I couldn't get her to eat a bite all day, but she did manage to color with me for a while and played with Austin when he came to visit.

She had to get platelets today, for the second day in a row, so she was pretty tired from the benedryl that they give her with the platelets.

Austin kept giving her head hugs.  He meant well, but I'm not sure she loved it.  They enjoyed getting out the squirt guns and going after me and Amanda.

Amanda is spending the night with her, and I took Austin to see the firework show in Holladay with my parents and my cousin Sherry.  It was good to have some time outside the hospital to reflect on how blessed I am to live in this wonderful country.  

Austin enjoyed the fireworks.  He was tired and kept cuddling up to me.  His attention span was short as always and he got his hands on Sherry's iPhone and played a few games in the middle of the show.  Am I old enough to wonder "what's wrong with the kids these days?"

Thanks to you all for your love and support!

Day 11

Millie had a busy morning. It started out with a visit by our favorite mascot, SWOOP! Millie loves to goof around with him. It always means silly string and water fights. He is so good to her and they ran around the room playing until I could tell the Miss was all worn out. Before he left Millie had to draw him a picture of himself. Thank you Swoop! We really do love having you come visit. It always brings out her giggle.


















Today was a little harder then most and being neutropenic is taking it's toll. She has been boarding a fever tonight and her face has gotten quite swollen. Millie isn't getting steroids right now, it's her capillaries leaking and her body is starting to retain fluid. The picture above is from this morning and even this evening I can see a difference in her appearance. Millie also got some blood today, which I was so grateful for. She has been having horrible headaches and her pick-me-up should do the trick. Thank you to all of you out there that donate. It really does save lives.

Millie was tuckered after Swoop left. She slept most the afternoon. Poor Brady is going to have a long night I'm afraid.

Austin was able to go see the fireworks with my parents tonight. My mom said he was darling. I can't wait to hear about all his crazy stories. I love my man and I am happy I get to stay home and spend the day with him tomorrow. 

Brady and I also got out for a bit while Cousin Sherry sat with Millie. I am so grateful for everyone helping us. I even came home to a fresh cut lawn. Thank you all so much! 

Day 10

Millie was in a singing mood today. I think she sang Party In The USA to about 4 different people at various times. Although her spirits were up for the most part, she was in and out of being a little depressed today. She kept crying and questioning whether or not she would ever be able to leave the hospital. She cried for her daddy, brother, puppy, and kitty. It broke my heart. We are on day 10, but that means it's been 21 days straight of sitting in her hospital room. It's beginning to take its toll.

We also had lots of visitors today and it was really nice. It made the day go by much faster. Nana came and read Fancy Nancy books, Grandma Jager looked at bridal magazines, and Uncle Andy played a little Rummikub. It's her new favorite game, no more Uno for her. 

We got Jack (the puppy) back from my sister Lindsay. She had been watching him for a week and Austin has been so happy to see him. They even snuggled on the floor tonight. It was so sweet. I tried to take a picture, but it was dark and turned out blurry. 

Millie is well. She has started to struggle with doing her mouth care, which has to be done 4x a day. She gags and throws up half the time. We are still really pushing it though, because I know it's extremely important if we want to keep her sores at bay. 

Tonight I have a killer headache and am really looking forward to going to bed. On that note, Goodnight and thank you so much for the prayers and love. I'm off to bed. 

Day 9

Today was a great end to a great weekend.

Millie was very sweet and playful today.  Millie was singing and dancing and full of giggles.  I went out in the hall to find the nurses trying to figure out why she is doing so much better than they've seen before.  We can't believe she doesn't have mouth sores, and that she's still playful.  Amanda and I realize that the sores might still come, but every day that she goes without pain is a victory.  Who knows, maybe she'll continue to thrive.  At this point, I wouldn't be too surprised, although I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

Despite how well she's doing, this is still tough on her, and on our family, but you won't hear a complaint from me.  Millie is my hero and so is Amanda, and Austin is as sweet (despite his tendency to be a 2 year old boy) and brightens up our family, and with so many people helping us carry our burden, I often feel there's no burden left for me to carry.  I'm tired in just about every way imaginable, but I don't think I've ever been happier than I am today.

I wish I took a picture of her singing today, but I was too busy enjoying her.  I got this picture of her sitting on the window sill instead.  She spent a good portion of the morning perched there playing with her dolls and coloring.  Some days she doesn't want to look outside because it makes her sad that she can't go out.  I'm glad she enjoyed the view today - she was so peaceful.

Amanda brought Austin up in the afternoon.  I love how happy they were to see each other.  We got out three little squirt guns and chased each other around the room.  Millie loved it, and Austin laughed harder than I've ever heard him laugh.  Water fights are one of her favorite summer activities, so I'm glad we were able to have one.

Millie and I found a ladybug in our room today (not good), but we were happy to see her. I put her in a jar and kept her safe until I left. When I got outside Primary Children's I called Amanda and Millie to look out the window and watch as Austin and I let her go. It seems like such a simple thing, but it was so nice to have that experience as a family. Austin kept trying to yell up to them that she flew up high. When I talked to Amanda she told me that Millie sat in her secret hideout for awhile after that and when she came out she was holding a picture she drew of the scene we had just experienced. It oviously meant a lot to her as well.

Austin and I went to my parents house this evening.  They had already finished dinner and celebrating Andy's birthday, but we still got to spend some time with everyone.  Austin and his cousin Lincoln are always happy to see each other.  They were very proud to spot a deer in the backyard and came running in to tell everyone.  Andy and I spun Austin around for a while.  He couldn't get enough!

Day 8

Speechless. That is what I am and it's too late for me to get my thoughts together after such an incredible day, so I am going to wait until I have the time I need to sit down and write down exactly what today meant to me and to my family.

I will let you know that Millie needed platelets today and she has had a little bit of an upset tummy. They are thinking she may have sores in her stomach and that's what is causing the pain. It is mild and easily controlled right now. She had another fantastic day.  Thank you so much to Kimmy for sitting with Millie during the run.

I will leave you all a picture of these beautiful woman. They were the driving force behind today, Thank you doesn't begin to express how I am feeling tonight, but thank you to Ann, Shannon, Lisa, and Christine