Whoops, not so fast says the doctor

Hi--
Just as we were packing up to go home, Dr. Gardner came back to my room to speak with mommy and daddy. It seems she has changed her mind and decided that I cannot go home. Boohoohoo!

It seems that when my feeds were increased, so did my diarrhea. For that reason Dr. Gardner decided that further investigation needs to be done to determine what is going on with my intestinal tract. As soon as I know something, I will let you all know.

In the meantime, I get to spend the weekend with daddy, while mommy gets to go home and take a break. I can be pretty demanding, you know :-)

Love and kisses,
Amelya

It's a Homecoming!

Hi --
Just wanted to let you all know that I am FINALLY getting out of the hospital! Whoopee!! After two long weeks, the doctors finally decided to let me go home. I still have diarrhea, but the doctors decided that as long as more food is going in then coming out, I will be okay. So the tube feeding at night will continue. The reason for the diarrhea? Still not sure, but the doctors are thinking it is a combination of things, including my chemo treatments.

I have been doing lots of arts and crafts this past week. Above is a picture of me finger painting -- or rather hand painting. I made ghosts with my hand print to decorate the walls at the hospital.

On Wednesday the doctors took a CT scan and it showed that all my intestines are looking good. It also showed that the tumor that is left is smaller. This is great news -- and not so great news. The great news is that the new chemo treatments are working. The not so great news is that this means that the tumor that is left has live cells in it. So the doctors are still thinking that I will need another surgery to remove the remaining tumor. When I know more about that, I will let you all know.

Today, before I left the hospital, I got to be in the costume parade. As you can see I went as my favorite thing -- a princess! How do you like my princess wave?

Love to you all!
Amelya

In Hospital Again

Hi everybody,
Just wanted to give you an update. I was only home for two days, and now I am back at Children's Hospital again. It looks like I will be here for a little while. It seems I have an "acute gastrointestinal illness". Mom says it is called "C-Diff" whatever that means. I know that it means I have bad stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. The doctors told mom that I am contagious, so I cannot leave my room. They also said I will be here 10-14 days. I also will not get anymore chemo treatments until this is cleared up. I will keep you posted if anything changes -- or I get to come home again!!
Love and kisses,
Amelya

New Chemo Treatments begin

Hi,
Guess what! I got to come home for the weekend!! It was the first time I have been home in quite a few weeks. Boy did it feel good to be home with my brothers and mom and dad.

On Sunday my PawPaw had bbq chicken. He, dad, and a bunch of my uncles and aunts watched the Saints beat the New York Jets on TV. Go Saints!!! I got to play all day with my cousins and I really had a good time.

On Monday I returned to Children's Hospital and was admitted again. I will stay here for a week (or more if needed) while I get my first round of my new chemo drug. I get a dose everyday for five days. Once I finish that, I get to go home again for two weeks. I will return every third week for the next round of chemo.

So far, I am doing okay. Today I got a fever and the doctors are watching me. I just woke from my nap and I am feeling a little better.

All the kids are decorating their doors for Halloween at Children's Hospital. This is a picture of my door -- It reads "Caution! Princess Inside May Love You to Death"

And I love you all,
Amelya