Doing What Girls Do...

...playing dolls and talking on the phone.

Kerstin's Bakery

Kerstin fills some of her spare time baking cookies.

First Night Home

Kerstin (and Annie) slept all night. Jeff got up a couple times just to look in on Kerstin and her sister. It was so nice not having "the anchor" beeping or the nursing staff coming in to check on her throughout the night. This morning Jeff and Annie got to prepare and mix up all of Kerstin's morning meds for the first time. We can see that there will be some trial and error until we find a good system. The day is off to a good start. Now we just need to tackle that truck load of stuff we brought home from the hospital yesterday. Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and support.

Kerstin is Home!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

There is no doubt in our minds that prayer is very powerful. Kerstin is getting to go home about one week earlier than originally expected! Her counts came up fast enough, and she has been without a fever long enough that the doctors feel she has recovered enough to get rid of “the anchor”. She is not without limits though. The doctors have placed criteria on where she can go, who she can be around, etc… It all kind of depends on her counts. (The counts if you’re wondering are her Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC). There’s some math involved. ☺)

We are looking forward to getting her back home and letting life return to some sort of normalcy (whatever our new normalcy will be). Cards, letters, emails and telephone calls are welcome, but we will not be having too many visitors for awhile. We are sure you all can understand.

Once again we give thanks to God and to all of you for your prayers and support.

Jeff and Annie Leaf

Hair

Kerstin is started to get frustrated with her hair. It is falling out all over the place and getting in her face, her food, etc. Combing it helps get rid of the loose ones. She isn't ready for us to help her cut it all off yet. It won't be long now, and it will all be gone on its own. It's kind of a bummer, but we know that when she is well again, it will all grow back.

Ice cream anyone?

Kerstin did a super job taking her medicine yesterday and today. She got to pick this ice cream parlor from the prize box. We have already had a lot of fun scooping and eating special frozen treats! Her counts keep climbing a little each day. She got another headache this afternoon, but fell asleep before we were able to get her some Tylenol. Grandma Clarice and Papa Gene are here for the next few days. More knitting lessons? Keep praying for her appetite to increase and for good cooperation. :) Annie

Pink Ribbons

Our neighbors tied pink ribbons to the trees that line our street. It is small acts like this that truly touch our hearts. Thank you Ron and Bonnie.

Struggles

Just wanted to let you know about some of the difficult things Kerstin faces each day. She takes oral medicine at least twice a day, sometimes more if she has a fever. Unfortunately, we are still struggling to find the best way to get it in her needy body. Mom is not enjoying this daily battle. She also takes a variety of meds through her IV. As we have already mentioned, her hair is falling out all over the place and gets in her face, food, on her clothes, pillow, etc. Since she has been getting fevers off and on, she is not allowed to leave the room, even to go to the playroom. Cabin fever has started to set in for all of us. She doesn't really want to eat or drink anything. When she is hungry, she isn't sure what sounds good to eat. The chemotherapy messes up her taste buds. Today she got a bad headache. After some Tylenol, she was able to get some rest. She is a tough little girl, although a bit stubborn at times. Each day we try to find something fun to do or laugh about. This morning while changing the bedding, we had a little pillow fight. She is a fighter. Pray for strength and patience and for those counts to go up so we can get home. Annie

Information Angels

Dear Friends and Family,

We have been blessed once again by some members of our church family. Monty and Julie Scheele have generously offered to be our "Information Angels". If you have questions, need something delivered to us, or just want to help, feel free to contact them. Of course, if you just want an update on how Kerstin is doing each day, feel free to keep checking this web site.

Monty and Julie can be contacted at:

Monty and Julie Scheele
5021 Elk Ridge Rd
Lincoln, NE 68516
email at mscheele@neb.rr.com
home phone 402.420.5592

Thank you and God bless you all,

Jeff and Annie

Get Klicked for Kerstin

Kerstin's Uncle Brian has generously decided to take family Christmas portraits at Sheridan Lutheran Church as a fundraiser for Kerstin. In this picture, Kerstin's friend and Sunday School teacher, Jorie, is working at the sign-up booth. For more details about how you can "Get Klicked for Kerstin," call Uncle Brian at (308) 995-6183 or Monty and Julie Scheele at (402) 420-5592. Thanks so much, Brian! We love you!

Sandart

Kerstin and I had fun with our friend Lori doing some sand art on Friday. McKinsey and Aunt Debbie got to make a few creations today, too. All you do is peel one sticker at a time and sprinkle (or pour as Kerstin likes to do) on the sand! A very fun distraction! Annie

Knitting Lessons

Kerstin and Aunt Debbie did a little knitting last night and this morning. They are currently working on a Barbie sleeping bag. This skill may come in handy for making hats since Kerstin's hair has just started to fall out the past few days. We are finding hair on her pillow, her shirt, and just about everywhere. She doesn't seem too concerned about it. All of her friends on this floor don't have hair either. McKinsey and I did find some fun hats at the mall for her. :)