Cabbage Patch Slumber Party

McKinsey and Kerstin found some time to have a Cabbage Patch Slumber Party. Kerstin was pretty sleepy most of the day, but after getting some blood and a dose of tylenol, she started to feel much better and was ready to play. By the way, we are now in Room 607, a positive air-flow room.

School time with Aunt Debbie

Aunt Debbie came for the weekend and got a chance to do some M& M math with Kerstin. Of course you get to eat them when you are done!

Silly Dr. Ben

Kerstin and her favorite (sorry Rachel) Medical Student, Dr. Ben, are horsing around. Dr. Ben has a pug, too!

Birthday fun

Annie got to spend her birthday with Kerstin! Lori brought us a delicious lunch and an awesome cake! The Cavett stafff showered her with cards. What a special day!

God is so good!

Jeff was able to come and hang out with Kerstin and I for the day. Kerstin is feeling so much better the last 2 days. She has been eating a little bit here and there, and we are so glad. She has been fever-free for over a day now! God has been so good to us. We know that all of you that are praying for us has made a huge difference! Please continue to pray for strength, healing, and lots of patience! We love you all!
Annie and Jeff

My own laptop!

Kerstin was thrilled when Mr. Sibert offered to let her borrow a school computer. He installed all of her favorite games. (Don't tell her they are educational!) T. J. are you jealous??

Donut for breakfast!

Kerstin finally ate something this morning - half a glazed donut. I know it doesn't sound like much, but we celebrate even the small successes. We are looking forward to a good day.

A better day

Although she has only had a few bites to eat, Kerstin felt a lot better today. Her attitude has been more positive as well. We kept busy with school time, a goop activity, painting, and even organizing the "drawer of fun." She is still taking antibiotics because of her fever, but they have changed them to a different kind. Unfortunately, this new type needs to be taken orally, along with an antacid, and her usual dose of less than delicious Atra. When you don't feel like eating, you don't really want to take more "yucky" medicine. We had ourselves quite a battle at noon today, but Rob in Child Life helped us create a sticker chart which we hope will help for future doses. :)

Pink Goop

Janet, the art therapist, and her practicum student, Jamie, helped Kerstin make goop today. What color? Pink, of course! It was a bit messy, but a lot of fun!

Going For A Walk

Kerstin was ready to get out of the room tonight and feeling well enought to take a little stroll. She can go out of her room as long as it is after visiting hours and she wears a mask. A friend on this floor taught her a trick with a syringe (squirting the nurses), so she is loaded and ready to go.

Connect Four Champ

Kerstin took a break from napping to play Connect Four with her Great Uncle. Kerstin won 3 out of 4 games. Sorry, Uncle Al! She's had lots of practice.

Numbers and Colors

Today for "school time" Kerstin worked on counting by 5's and making colors. She picked up quickly on the counting. She had fun using food coloring to identify colors, and make new colors from other colors.

Sunday Night

Kerstin had a fairly good day today. She finished the last of her chemo this morning and now she is in the recovery phase for this cycle. It sounds like she got some of her appetite back and managed to stay awake most of the day reading books and playing. It's a nice change from yesterday. All we can do is take it day by day.