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. :)

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.