On October 26th, 2010, at 9 weeks old, Phoebe Rose was diagnosed with high risk MLL + Infantile Leukemia. On November 18th 2015 , she took her last breath. This is her story of hope and love in the face of cancer and despair. Phoebe always brought the joy and continues to inspire us to make a difference. It is best read from the beginning. Thank-you for visiting.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Hospital Halloween


Phoebe is back in the hospital.  She spiked a fever yesterday afternoon, so she was admitted, blood cultures were taken, and she was started on yet another antibiotic.  Her temperature has since come down, and she is still her happy and smiling self, so as long as no source of infection is found and she remains without a fever, she could be returning back home with us as early as tomorrow.  If so, this will be the shortest hospital visit in Phoebe's history.

The Interleukin 2 injections that Phoebe receives can produce flu like symptoms, and occasionally fevers, so we are hoping that that is all it is.  She has one more injection to receive and then it is all rest, all the time until she starts her pre-transplant conditioning.

Despite the fact that we were in the hospital today, we had a fun-filled and exciting Halloween.  Halloween at St. Jude is a really, really big deal, and the people who work here go out of their way to make it a special day for the kids.  It is overwhelming in the best way possible.  Each area of the hospital chooses a theme and they decorate and dress up according to it.  One clinic was dedicated to the muppets, another to Star Wars, the 60's, 70's, and 80's were all represented, there was a zoo, a slumber party, farm, Cruella D'Ville and many, many Dalmations (dressed up, not the real thing), and a rock concert.  Michael Jackson, Elvis, KISS, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber - they were all here singing their hearts out - again not the real thing, but possibly better .  The kids travel around the hospital, through each themed area, collecting candy.  Mae had a blast.  Phoebe was upstairs as an inpatient where all of the dressed up staff travel to each room to drop off candy.  Because Phoebe has a weak immune system and doesn't eat candy, we opted out, but a bag was placed on her door anyway and filled with things that she might like.  Cheerios, animal crackers - no one is left out on Halloween.  Phoebe caught a glimpse of Chewbacca, Princess Laya, Mario, Luigi and Snow White walking by her room today and her excitement and laughter were impossible to contain. Thank-you once again to the folks at St. Jude for exceeding my expectations, bringing great big smiles to Mae and Phoebe's faces, and for working so hard to better the lives of all of the children that are here.   Next year's Halloween has a tough act to follow. 






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