Tuesday Update....

Delaney knows how to stay fierce, she was able to keep the temperature that was creeping up at bay! Mommy, Daddy, nurses and the doctors were preparing for her to spike a temperature, she was that close. She continues to amaze us, we don't know how she does it. Delaney has done well with her nausea, but last night just before bed, Delaney vomited. If took her a little while to fall asleep afterwards, but eventually she did. She slept better through the night, and in the morning wanted some water and unfortunately that too, she vomited. After she was finished, and we calmed her down she was in a great mood, she was very happy, playing with toys and sticker books. Transplant of her own stem cells would be at 11am and her pre-medications for the transplant began around 9am. The volume of stem cells she will receive is around 30ml, roughly 1 ounce, but there is 7 million stem cells in her rescue. Sometimes little things make big things happen. And again we celebrate yet another birthday today for Delaney, for if it were not for her stem cells she would not recover from the chemotherapy she has received. Transplant started on time and the cells were transfused over 20 minutes, vitals were taken every five minutes, to keep a very close eye on her. Her rescue went very well, there were no complications, another small victory, but small victories add up to win the battle. It will take 2-3 weeks for her stem cells to graft back into her bone marrow. Delaney's blood counts have dropped and she is scheduled for yet another blood transfusion tonight at 12am. Delaney has been wiped out for most of the day with the constant barrage of medications, antibiotics, and her transfusion, things can take a toll. Delaney is still not eating on her own so formula through her NG tube is an hourly task, she does however try some foods and drinks some milk. Tomorrow, is an exciting day, discharge day. Pending nothing comes up that would keep Delaney in the hospital. 7 Long at UCSF has a special end of treatment tradition that will be worth recording tomorrow. We are all very excited. Delaney knows little brother and her family are coming to watch and walk with her out of the hospital. Delaney has endured 6 cycles of chemotherapy, 3 of which required stem cell rescue. A total of 21 days of chemotherapy. Delaney's story may not have such a happy beginning, but it is about the rest of her story, who we have all watched her become. She has handled such a life altering experience with such GRACE and of course ........FIERCENESS!

We have learned so much more about life as a family, but we must not be too concerned about what was and what will be........There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." Thank you for all the prayers, love and support.... As always.... GO TEAM DELANEY!

Thank you to the nurses, doctors and everyone at UCSF on 7 Long!

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"