NIH Appointment

We all made it to the East Coast on Sunday without any problems despite the 20" of snow that arrived on Saturday. It was a whirlwind trip to the NIH. We got to the Children's Inn about 7pm on Sunday - ate, played, watched Survivor & went to bed. Hannah & I got up early to be over at NIH for her appointment. Her biopsy was at 10:30 & Hannah did great. Seriously, you'd think she was on her way to Disneyland the way she handles it all. Just smiling & waving to me as she goes off on the gurney to the OR. Waking up from the anesthesia was another story but after some lunch she is doing fine. Not even really complaining of much back pain. The results from the biopsy take about 2 weeks to come back.

We did see her doctor at NIH & he is very encouraged by her progress. He told Hannah "officially" to go back to school ... & to send him the report cards :-)! So sweet. He is starting to cut back on the immune suppression medication that she has been taking for the last year. We will slowly taper this drug over the next several months. Hopefully Hannah will be able to maintain her blood counts without needing the medication. Her white blood cell count was down a bit but her platelets & hemoglobin was up (55k platelets, 9.4 hemoglobin). Truly, a miracle to see these kinds of numbers with Hannah's name at the top of the paper!

Before we left California, Hannah & I spent an entire day at her school visiting what will be her class for the 2nd half of 2nd grade. Her teacher, Miss D, is a DREAM. She is truly a perfect fit for Hannah. I am so thankful!!!!! She is kind, caring, intuitive, funny & believes in giving hugs :-)! Hannah loved her & seemed to feel very comfortable .. I know it will all be a huge transition but I feel really good that Miss D is going to help ease Hannah's transition back to "real life".

Right now we are at my parent's place for Christmas. My younger sister, Miriam, & her family are driving from Indianapolis to join us all. A mini-family reunion will be happening here.. all of us are looking forward to JUST BEING TOGETHER! Truly a miracle after what this year has been.

All God's best from my parent's place --