Update

We are a week out from Mia's transplant.  She is doing just as expected.  In other words, she is miserable:(  Her counts have dropped.  She has not needed any transfusions of red blood cells or platelets yet but probably will need some in the next day or two.  She is on 24 hour nausea medicine, but even still she says her tummy hurts all the time.  Her mouth is bleeding and she has some mucusitis.  She has been unable to eat for several days so she is on TPN, which is IV nutrition.  She likes to sit up in the chair and watch the construtcion of the new lobby.  I have not seen a smile in several days.  She just watches me with big eyes.  She hasn't lost any hair.

Jessica's Harvest and Mia's Transplant

We have had a couple of big days these last two days!  Yesterday we started at 7:30 am.  Jessica got her fifth and final neupogen shot.  Not a peep out of her!  Then she had an IV placed.  She was a little nervous about it but did great.

 

Here are Jessica and Mia on the morning of Jessica's Harvest.

 

Daddy and Jessica waiting to go back to have her pheresis catheter placed. 

 Vitals AGAIN!!!

They put the line in with sedation and an ulstrasound.  This is the Utah Jazz room. 

She got a little teary eyed when it was time for mom and dad to leave the room. 

In recovery.  She decided that daddy and mommy made good maids becasue we held her popsicle and her juice. 

 

On our way up to the fourth floor for the collection.  The nurses upstairs were all upset that we came up on our own.  Apparently she should have been brought up in a gurney because she is not supposed to bend her leg more than 90 degrees. There was a report made to make sure it never happens again!

At the end of a long day.  The collection was finally started about noon.  Six hours later they were done but we had to wait to make sure that enough cells were collected. 

WE got the call that 8.1 million cells were collected.  It was enough.  By the time Jessica was all unhooked and able to go home it was 10:30 pm.  Jessica was absolutely amazing.  WE will forever be grateful for her. 

Today was transplant day. 

Mia and her nurse Janet 

Singing "Happy BMT Day" 

The best thing about a birthday is presents! Both Mia and Jessica got presents.

 

Starting to get tired.

 

Here are the nurse and the collection tech checking all the numbers to be sure that theyhad the right cells.

Casey and Jessica left a little later.  Now the real fun begins as we wait to see when Mia will engraph and just how sick she gets.

Days -6, -5, and -4

We are started!.  Mia has handled this chemo very well.  She has to be at the clinic for about two hours, of which only 30 minutes is actual chemo.  The rest of the time is spent waiting.  We have been playing in the afternoons.

 Tuesday afternoon we had a picnic lunch at Liberty park.  The girls both played a whole bunch.  Then we went to City Creek mall and walked around and looked at things.  We were very surprised when we ran into Laura's girls, Caiya and Cassie.  They are in Slat Lake with their other grandparents.  It was so much fun to seen them.

Wednesday after lunch we went to Hogle Zoo.  It was very hot and Mia does NOT like walking around in the heat.  Of course we couldn't keep up with Jessica.  She has so much energy.  The we drove out to Great Grandma Jackman's for a visit.   It is always fun to visit with her.  She is amazing and I am so glad that we will be getting to see more of her in the next few months.  Afterwards we went shopping at the quilted bear.  That place is crazy.  We had been looking specifically for something super special to reward Jessica for good behavior while she has her shots.  We found it there.  She got four Disney princess magnetic paper dolls with their own tins.  Each day after her shot she gets another one.  Today she was a little worried about getting the shot but afterwards she declared that she loves shots!  I sure hope her enthusiasm lasts!

Today we are back with Grandma Jackman for a bit.  We took her shopping for a few things.

Again I have no pictures to share because I can't figure out why my phone is not auto syncing with my account.  I imagine I will stumble across the answer eventually.

SLC at Last!

Well we are finally going to Salt Lake City.  Jessica, Mia, and I spent three days in Salt Lake last week for appointments.  I signed all the consents and we are ready to get this transplant going.

The three of us are leaving tomorrow afternoon to return to Salt Lake.  Mia starts her preparatory regimen of reduced intensity chemotherapy on Tuesday.  She will receive six days of  treatment and then have a day off and then receive her transplant of stem cells from Jessica.  Jessica will get a shot for four days before her collection day, which is Monday Aug 19th. Mia's actual transplant day will be either Monday or Tuesday the 19th or 20th.

Mia has been feeling so much better these last few weeks since she had her spleen removed.  Her counts have been better.  We have been able to take her to church and she has loved being with her friends.

As a family we are as ready as we can be.  107 days is not really all that long and as long as things go well I will hopefully be home in time for Thanksgiving.  We are ready for this transplant to be over and be successful.