Much to be Thankful For

As I'm watching Linda hold Ava right now we have a lot to be thankful for (I know, it's not yet Thanksgiving and we aren't sitting around the dinner table, but let me have my moment anyway), and I can't help but to be a bit retrospective. Today, October 13th, was to be Ava's original (post cancer diagnosis) birthday at 32 weeks old! It's been an amazing five weeks since she was born, filled with some anxiety, worry, and much delight.

Some of the amazing things that we have seen happen:

• Cricket's weight has increased from 2 lbs 2 oz to 3 lbs 5 oz!
• Bilirubin levels normal (jaundice and original bruising are gone) – no more UV light treatment with the sunglasses!
• Ava's breathing is much improved! From needing resuscitated at birth to intubation (tube down her throat with a ventilator) to CPAP (the elephant mask) to now HHNP (High Humidity Nasal Prongs)
• Her nutritional needs went from an IV to small amounts of breast milk with an IV, to all breast milk now!
• From Apnea induced Bradycardias (stopping breathing followed by a heart rate slowing) constantly to only occasional “ABs”.
• Ava's digestive system is keeping up with feedings (with good poops and pees)!
• She is better able to maintain body temp (isolette temperature being reduced as she retains her own heat better)
• 11/12ths of the way through her Vitamin A shots (given each MWF – this is an intramuscular (IM) shot in her thigh so we’ll be glad when she’s done).
• She has a good sounding heart, lungs, digestive system, and a good head ultrasound!

Although she still has a long way to go with surely some additional twists and turns, we are very thankful for being so blessed thus far!!!

MORE GREAT NEWS:
Linda had some great news this week! First, some testing came back negative, indicating she does not have the "gene" for ovarian/breast cancer. This is great news in that 1) she likely won't opt to have her ovaries removed, 2) she can still evaluate a lumpectomy as an option (otherwise a double mastectomy was in the cards, and 3) she can't pass along the gene to the children since she doesn't have it! People with this gene have an extremely high likelihood of breast and ovarian cancer (or both) if women and higher likelihood of other cancers if men.

Second, Linda's MRI results came back letting us know that her tumor has already shrunk over 80%! It went from about the size of a 50 cent piece to now smaller than an eraser on a pencil. The chemo has been doing its job with three rounds still to go! In addition, there was no evidence of any other tumors in either breast. Our next Taxol treatment is Thursday. Linda is feeling great right now and re-energized for the next treatments.

Here is a picture of my two girls in the mirror, whom I am so thankful for and happy for.

And here is a short video of Ava with her favorite Binkie. She was going to town on it until I got the camera out and then Daddy had to wiggle it to get her going again. But, you get the idea, even if the video is a bit dark! If you crank up the volume you can hear her noises too.

Rob.