Daley Ponderings

As Jon mentioned, Grace is having ear surgery tomorrow to explore what's going on, get a biopsy, and maybe get a tube in.  The oncology/NF1 doctor also managed to schedule her bone marrow aspirate for the same day so Grace will not have to be sedated twice in a few weeks. Prayers for all... (More)

An ENT, a radiologist and an oncologist walk into a bar... Oh, maybe not, but they at least had a discussion about Grace while looking over the MRI and CT scan together and the conclusion is that it isn't a plexiform fibroma at all!  Which is what Heather has had the faith to pray for... (More)

Today is the day, one year ago, that Grace was allowed to exit the hallway doors of 6 West and live in a place other than a hospital room! They played Raining Tacos for her exit parade, so my thought is to celebrate each year with tacos for dinner. (And maybe a shamrock shake thrown in.)... (More)

Grace had several appointments at Dartmouth today: audiology, ENT, oncology/nf1, lab draw This is my memory's summary of Jon's report to me: A lot of time for not a lot of progress.  Education/information, but no decisions. The ENT was not experienced, so they want her to see the adult... (More)

As previously mentioned, Heather noticed a spot in Grace's ear last summer, and when the NF1 doctors heard about it, they were concerned that it might be a plexiform neurofibroma , and so scheduled an MRI for today to take a closer look. While it has shrunk on the surface, it is still there... (More)

Today is Day +365. One year ago, this is where we were: Today, Faith is recovered enough to participate in On Belay's Teen Winter Outdoor Adventure (pictures may come later, since she is there as I type.) Grace had her first post-chemo haircut (just bangs) the other day.... (More)

From all outward appearances, Grace has been doing very well. She's eating well and gaining weight. All her blood numbers look good. She only has one more week of her last medicine. However, I noticed a dark spot in her right ear and wondered if it could be connected to her hearing... (More)

Because he likes to compete with Brandon Sanderson, SD Smith is launching a new Green Ember book today.  Our family loves the Green Ember series maybe even more than the Stormlight Archive. I've mentioned before that the soldiers' oath has special significance to us now that Faith has... (More)

Sorry we left you hanging about Grace's recent appointments. Here are some things to be thankful for about Grace. She did really well during her audiology appointment. It took a long time, but she followed all the directions and was cooperative as usual. She does still have some hearing loss in... (More)

The appointment with the NF1 doctor went well. One of her oncology doctors was also there, the one who works closely in the NF1 world. Jon didn't remember meeting the NF1 doctor, but it was right at the very beginning, during Grace's first hospital stay, when she was diagnosed. So, much to be... (More)

Grace woke up Friday morning wanting to eat and drink, and she has kept everything down. There is a cold running around our house, which I thought she was getting last night, but she seems ok this morning. However, she did wake up with her nose tube pulled out again. So we are trying out the day... (More)

I had to go calculate the day since we no longer count the days like that any more - it has been great to have less medical stuff going on these days, and we get more comments about her being "so cute" in the grocery stores and the soccer games, etc. Her hair is growing in, and I don't think... (More)

So sorry I left you hanging.  Grace and I went back to Dartmouth the next Friday.  They did her bloodwork and the creatinine was just fine, so they were reassured and sent us home without further testing.  She has been doing well. Faith has had two soccer games now, and is also... (More)

We were so relieved and happy to have Jon and Grace with us for Family Camp. Daley summer life has been super full as usual.  Jon got special permission for Grace to ride the Summerfest carousel all by herself (and he wiped the horse down with hospital disinfectant wipes.)... (More)

Grace is all set to leave in a few hours - just waiting on paperwork. Her potassium is a little high, but they had taken off her potassium-lowering drug, and she has been eating 4-5 bananas a day, so they expect she will be fine once she goes back on her regular meds and has more choices of... (More)