fiddlesticks

We are still at the hospital.  I have taught Charlotte all the appropriate sentiments; "boooo", "gosh darn it" and "fiddlesticks".

We had thought Charlotte's antibiotics were done yesterday, but just as I was about to head home last night, the nurse told us the instructions had been changed and Charlotte was to continue antibiotics.  The nurse thought that this might mean that her blood cultures were positive.

Silly me googled 'positive blood cultures' as I had no idea what it meant.  Gave myself a little scare but tried not to get too worked up about it as Charlotte was looking healthy.  This morning the Doctor clarified that the blood cultures were negative - whew.  The antibiotics were just continued to be 'safe' (they are done now). 

Unfortunately, her methotrexate level was still not at the magic number.  It needs to be less then 0.1 to go home, and it was at 0.11, argh!  Usually the levels are checked every 24 hours, but they checked it again at 12 hours for us (2pm) in the hopes we could go home.  Unfortunately it was still at 0.11.  It has been really really slow this time.  It took 24 hours to go from 0.21 to 0.13 and another 24 hours from 0.13 to 0.11.  Fingers crossed that it will be clear for tomorrow.

Charlotte is sadly showing some signs of Mucositis, aka mouth sores.  This is a painful inflammation of the lining of her mouth.  When it gets bad, she won't want to eat or drink which means coming back to the hospital.  We will be watching it closely.  The chance of mucositis happening increases the longer the methotrexate stays in her system.  The doctor said they may reduce her dosage for her remaining treatment (I hope so!).  When we do get to go home, we will be going home with morphine to help her with the pain if it's needed and we will be rinsing her mouth with good ole' baking soda a couple times a day.  She also has some skin breaking on her bum, so we have her special cream going on that every 2-3 hours.

Despite the early signs of mucositis, her appetite is returning and she is starting to nibble at stuff.  She is super playful, and got to 'play nurse' and sit at the nurses desk when I ducked out for a coffee.  The long hospital stays just seem to effect mommy and daddy.  The windowless room and hospital food don't help.  We can't wait to get home, but at least Charlotte is a happy girl. 

On that note, I just want to clarify that I'm not complaining (ok, maybe a little bit).  Stays on the oncology ward always have me counting my blessings.  There are many other families here who or either going through a rougher time, a rougher diagnoses, or just don't have the support we do.  Thank you to everyone for your help, prayers and good wishes!

Still up for playing and crafts!