Hitting Bottom

Sara having fun in the hallways....

Jessie's ANC (absolute neurtophil count) is 10 which they tell me is effectively zero. Of course she had to bottom out on the 4th of July just when her boyfriend, another friend, brother, sister and mom visit for the evening! We all took constant Purell baths. I walked around with the Purell bottle in my hand and every time someone handed Jessie something or she touched something new, I extended the Purell bottle as if to ask, "Squirt?" Hopefully we avoided any unwanted visitors. Her platelets are also low at 50. She will bobble around in this low state for a few days and then slowly, but steadily begin to rebuild and climb back up (which usually takes 2-3 weeks). They will keep her in the hospital until her ANC is above 200 for two consecutive days and all other numbers are on the rise as well.
Being a teenager in the hospital during the summertime is hard. Everyone is busy either on vacation, working a summer job, doing an internship or getting ready for college. There is only so much you can do from a room in bed. Jess got on the computer yesterday to prepare for signing up online for classes. She also hopes to be out on break in time for her July 26th orientation day at college. We'll see....

Here are Jessie and friends waiting for the DC fireworks to begin.