What's up with Alaina

What's happening with Alaina
Saturday, August 04, 2001 6:03 PM

Alaina' s 17th birthday is August 5. Here is her birthday present. She was way overdue to get her license and the doctors in the ICU have told her all along she should get any car she wanted, so she got a 2001 blue lagoon Volkwagon Jetta. Its been over 4 months since the transplant and all is well. Her hair is growing so fast you can practically watch it grow. Alaina is looking forward to starting school later this month. She's going to an alternative school and should be able to make up the time she missed in order to graduate with her class. She's feeling fine and acting more like a teenager everyday.You can e mail her directly at : fuzzyduckhead@hotmail.com
BREAKOUT PICTURES!
Monday, April 30, 2001 2:14 PM Alaina just had a check up. Her counts are better than they've ever been. She's nibbling on some foods and is doing pretty well drinking water. Everyday is better. Hooray!
Saturday, April 28, 2001 11:02 PM When last we wrote, Alaina was maybe going to be scoped. Fortunately that didn't happen. She still pukes but its not that serious. Oh well... OK Alaina broke out of the BMTU(bone marrow transplant unit) Monday April 23. This is a big deal because duh she gets to go home and because she is in isolation in the BMTU. She gets to break on through to the other side via these special doors. Her party guests are waiting on the other side to greet her with silly string, but she is armed also. In her case ,she is two fisted. After she breaks through the door she goes immediately to the balcony, a special place reserved only for bone marrow patients and friends. There awaits food and drink for the guests(alaina was still not interested in eating), a great view and a good time. Many doctors and nurses and therapists showed up. It was quite special! Alaina is now home and doing fine. She's still not too interested in eating so I am playing the role of Nurse Leslie and hooking her up to an IV every night for nutrition. Other wise she is great. Words fail me in describing what its like to be home. We would like to thank all the doctors that are pictured here and the many others that couldn't make it to the party, namely Dr Torres and Dr Bowman and all the PICU Drs. Its been an incredible journey so far. Please check the page occasionally for more updates. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, Leslie
There are new pictures to see!
Wednesday, April 18, 2001 7:09 PM As always getting Alaina out of the hospital is proving to be a frustrating experience, they may have to scope her intestines to get a better idea of what is causing her nausea. It looks doubtful for her being released this week. But everything else has gone so well that we can hardly complain about this, yet. Give my love to everyone, John
Friday, April 13, 2001 9:29 AM Greetings! Its day 24. Alaina was supposed to go home today but it probably won't be till early next week. Medically she is great. She had a bone marrow aspiration Wednesday that came back negative- she's in remission. We want her to get a little stronger, drink a little more and get the nausea under control before we go home. Basically, everyone feels more comfortable staying a few extra days. Stay tuned to this page for further updates and pictures of her breakout (to be explained later) party. More later, Leslie
Friday, March 30, 2001 8:17 PM Well they're not as good as I had hoped (new pictures)but the hospital room makes a lousy backdrop. Day 10 and Alaina's counts are starting to come up. Yeah! You'ld never know it by her. She's pretty uncomfortable with the side effects. Nuf said.This is only the beginning of a long road so don't even ask when she's going home. Thanks for checking up on us. Leslie
Thursday, March 29, 2001 1:40 PM I took some digital pics of Alaina with her new whisppy hairdo, but I don't have the right software to send it from the laptop, so I'll send it from home tomorrow. She's got a couple of infections so she's on many antibiotics. Her blood pressure is bouncing around as is her heart rate so she is hooked up to the monitors at all times. Despite all of it she's doing well and looks good. As John says, "there's nothing like a couple of units of blood to put color in your cheeks". More later, Leslie
Monday, March 26, 2001 9:52 AM Not much to report. That's the good news.She has started to lose her hair. Alaina doesn't ever complain which is why the doctors and nurses like her, but the radiation and chemo make you feel really bad. Her skin is dry and ichy and she has mucousitis(lots of thick saliva). Most people would would be miserable but for Alaina its just another day. Of course, she's not as bad off as the first time she was in the hospital, but even then she never complained. Please email us we love mail. Leslie
Friday, March 23, 2001 12:23 PM It's day 3 after transplant. Alaina is doing well. No complications.She gets up and walks around the hall, plays computer games and listens to music. Callie flew back to California yesterday. She's a little sore but is doing ok. She is planning to go to a concert in LA tonight so she must be feeling good enough. I told her to stay out of the mosh pit. Being back in the hospital is kind of strange. Everybody knows us and asks about Alaina. I'm not kidding besides the doctors and nurses there are the therapists, security guards, electrians, and cleaning staff that know us. When I'm not in the room, I'm usually caught in the hall talking to my new best friends. CCMC is a very friendly place. More later, Leslie
Tuesday, March 20, 2001 4:09 PM Ok , here's the report. Callie went into surgery on time at 11:00 and was out by 12:00. Aliana started her transfusion around 1:15. Its a slow drip that goes in over 4 hours. Callie is feeling no pain at the moment thanks to some heavy duty pain killers. She will probably feel worse tomorrow. Alaina is feeling better today. She has been nauseous for days but that is sort of under control now. She will be nauseous for several days. We hope to see the new marrow take hold in 1 to 2 weeks. Until then things will be (hopefully) uneventful. Callie is recovering in Alaina's room now. She is actually watching her marrow go into Alaina. They are comparing post surgery reactions and pain medicine. Truthfully, the transfusion was anticlimactic.It's great to see both girls smiling. I'll go home with Callie tonight and nurse her while John stays at the hospital with Alaina. More later, Leslie
Monday, March 19, 2001 4:03 PM Tomorrow is the day! Alaina doesn't feel too well but that's normal.Callie got preregistered today so all she has to do tomorrow is show up.Her surgery is scheduled for 11:00am. The procedure should only take about 45 minutes then Alaina will get the marrow in the form of a blood transfusion around 12:30. Callie will go home tomorrow night then goes back to school on Thursday. More tomorrow, Leslie
Saturday, March 17, 2001 9:12 AM Alaina was admitted to the hospital on Friday. She felt tired and nauseous most of the week but perked up by Friday.Her radiation is complete, now she starts chemo for two days. The bone marrow transplant is set for Tuesday. Both girls are in good spirits. Alaina is in isolation so she can only have visitors during visiting hours. Visitors stay in the hall and talk to her on the telephone. No flowers, plants, pets or latex balloons are allowed. Cards are welcome. Cook Children's Medical Center 801 Seventh Avenue, Room 3010 Fort Worth, Texas 76104 You can email her through me. Keep checking the site for new pics and updates. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, Leslie
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 7:11 PM We had a great time. I assume(never assume) that you know that the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent us to New York to see Saturday Night Live. We saw the dress rehearsal which actually had more skits. That was the last night. The first night we got there in the evening so we had dinner close by at Club Babalu( right next door to Birdland). The next day we hit a couple of museums and SOHo. That night we were treated to dinner then went to Rocky Horror Show Live. The girls loved it! The next day we went to the Photography Museum to see an exhibition of Andy Warhol,very cool, then we split up. Callie and I went uptown and John and Alaina went back to SoHo to take pictures. We flew home Sunday. Alaina is half way through her radiation. No fun at all! She will be admitted Friday if not sooner. She has 2 days of chemo a day off then the transplant. She is amazing! She hasn't gotten too down but its quite a different experience from the last time. Love, Leslie

What's happening with Alaina

Saturday, August 04, 2001 6:03 PM

Alaina' s 17th birthday is August 5. Here is her birthday present. She was way overdue to get her license and the doctors in the ICU have told her all along she should get any car she wanted, so she got a 2001 blue lagoon Volkwagon Jetta.

Its been over 4 months since the transplant and all is well. Her hair is growing so fast you can practically watch it grow. Alaina is looking forward to starting school later this month. She's going to an alternative school and should be able to make up the time she missed in order to graduate with her class. She's feeling fine and acting more like a teenager everyday.You can e mail her directly at : fuzzyduckhead@hotmail.com

BREAKOUT PICTURES!

Monday, April 30, 2001 2:14 PM

Alaina just had a check up. Her counts are better than they've ever been. She's nibbling on some foods and is doing pretty well drinking water.

Everyday is better. Hooray!

Saturday, April 28, 2001 11:02 PM

When last we wrote, Alaina was maybe going to be scoped. Fortunately that didn't happen. She still pukes but its not that serious. Oh well...

OK Alaina broke out of the BMTU(bone marrow transplant unit) Monday April 23. This is a big deal because duh she gets to go home and because she is in isolation in the BMTU. She gets to break on through to the other side via these special doors. Her party guests are waiting on the other side to greet her with silly string, but she is armed also. In her case ,she is two fisted. After she breaks through the door she goes immediately to the balcony, a special place reserved only for bone marrow patients and friends. There awaits food and drink for the guests(alaina was still not interested in eating), a great view and a good time. Many doctors and nurses and therapists showed up. It was quite special! Alaina is now home and doing fine. She's still not too interested in eating so I am playing the role of Nurse Leslie and hooking her up to an IV every night for nutrition. Other wise she is great. Words fail me in describing what its like to be home. We would like to thank all the doctors that are pictured here and the many others that couldn't make it to the party, namely Dr Torres and Dr Bowman and all the PICU Drs. Its been an incredible journey so far. Please check the page occasionally for more updates.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers,
Leslie

There are new pictures to see!

Wednesday, April 18, 2001 7:09 PM

As always getting Alaina out of the hospital is proving to be a frustrating experience, they may have to scope her intestines to get a better idea of what is causing her nausea. It looks doubtful for her being released this week. But everything else has gone so well that we can hardly complain about this, yet.

Give my love to everyone,
John

Friday, April 13, 2001 9:29 AM

Greetings!

Its day 24. Alaina was supposed to go home today but it probably won't be till early next week. Medically she is great. She had a bone marrow aspiration Wednesday that came back negative- she's in remission. We want her to get a little stronger, drink a little more and get the nausea under control before we go home. Basically, everyone feels more comfortable staying a few extra days. Stay tuned to this page for further updates and pictures of her breakout (to be explained later) party.

More later,
Leslie

Friday, March 30, 2001 8:17 PM

Well they're not as good as I had hoped (new pictures)but the hospital room makes a lousy backdrop.

Day 10 and Alaina's counts are starting to come up. Yeah! You'ld never know it by her. She's pretty uncomfortable with the side effects. Nuf said.This is only the beginning of a long road so don't even ask when she's going home.

Thanks for checking up on us.
Leslie

Thursday, March 29, 2001 1:40 PM

I took some digital pics of Alaina with her new whisppy hairdo, but I don't have the right software to send it from the laptop, so I'll send it from home tomorrow.

She's got a couple of infections so she's on many antibiotics. Her blood pressure is bouncing around as is her heart rate so she is hooked up to the monitors at all times. Despite all of it she's doing well and looks good. As John says, "there's nothing like a couple of units of blood to put color in your cheeks".

More later,
Leslie

Monday, March 26, 2001 9:52 AM

Not much to report. That's the good news.She has started to lose her hair. Alaina doesn't ever complain which is why the doctors and nurses like her, but the radiation and chemo make you feel really bad. Her skin is dry and ichy and she has mucousitis(lots of thick saliva). Most people would would be miserable but for Alaina its just another day. Of course, she's not as bad off as the first time she was in the hospital, but even then she never complained.

Please email us we love mail.
Leslie

Friday, March 23, 2001 12:23 PM

It's day 3 after transplant. Alaina is doing well. No complications.She gets up and walks around the hall, plays computer games and listens to music.

Callie flew back to California yesterday. She's a little sore but is doing ok. She is planning to go to a concert in LA tonight so she must be feeling good enough. I told her to stay out of the mosh pit. Being back in the hospital is kind of strange. Everybody knows us and asks about Alaina. I'm not kidding besides the doctors and nurses there are the therapists, security guards, electrians, and cleaning staff that know us. When I'm not in the room, I'm usually caught in the hall talking to my new best friends. CCMC is a very friendly place.

More later,
Leslie

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 4:09 PM

Ok , here's the report. Callie went into surgery on time at 11:00 and was out by 12:00. Aliana started her transfusion around 1:15. Its a slow drip that goes in over 4 hours. Callie is feeling no pain at the moment thanks to some heavy duty pain killers. She will probably feel worse tomorrow. Alaina is feeling better today. She has been nauseous for days but that is sort of under control now. She will be nauseous for several days. We hope to see the new marrow take hold in 1 to 2 weeks. Until then things will be (hopefully) uneventful. Callie is recovering in Alaina's room now. She is actually watching her marrow go into Alaina. They are comparing post surgery reactions and pain medicine. Truthfully, the transfusion was anticlimactic.It's great to see both girls smiling. I'll go home with Callie tonight and nurse her while John stays at the hospital with Alaina.

More later,
Leslie

Monday, March 19, 2001 4:03 PM

Tomorrow is the day! Alaina doesn't feel too well but that's normal.Callie got preregistered today so all she has to do tomorrow is show up.Her surgery is scheduled for 11:00am. The procedure should only take about 45 minutes then Alaina will get the marrow in the form of a blood transfusion around 12:30. Callie will go home tomorrow night then goes back to school on Thursday.

More tomorrow,
Leslie

Saturday, March 17, 2001 9:12 AM

Alaina was admitted to the hospital on Friday. She felt tired and nauseous most of the week but perked up by Friday.Her radiation is complete, now she starts chemo for two days. The bone marrow transplant is set for Tuesday. Both girls are in good spirits. Alaina is in isolation so she can only have visitors during visiting hours. Visitors stay in the hall and talk to her on the telephone. No flowers, plants, pets or latex balloons are allowed. Cards are welcome.

Cook Children's Medical Center
801 Seventh Avenue, Room 3010
Fort Worth, Texas 76104

You can email her through me.

Keep checking the site for new pics and updates.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers,
Leslie

Wednesday, March 14, 2001 7:11 PM

We had a great time. I assume(never assume) that you know that the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent us to New York to see Saturday Night Live. We saw the dress rehearsal which actually had more skits. That was the last night. The first night we got there in the evening so we had dinner close by at Club Babalu( right next door to Birdland). The next day we hit a couple of museums and SOHo. That night we were treated to dinner then went to Rocky Horror Show Live. The girls loved it! The next day we went to the Photography Museum to see an exhibition of Andy Warhol,very cool, then we split up. Callie and I went uptown and John and Alaina went back to SoHo to take pictures. We flew home Sunday.

Alaina is half way through her radiation. No fun at all! She will be admitted Friday if not sooner. She has 2 days of chemo a day off then the transplant. She is amazing! She hasn't gotten too down but its quite a different experience from the last time.

Love,
Leslie

Breakout pictures.	Hospital pictures.	New York Make-A-Wish pictures.
Return to Enlow home page.		email Mom (Leslie)