Thursday, August 6, 2009

Zoo Day - We did it!

Our wish came true and we got to spend the most wonderful day at the Cincinnati Zoo today. The weather was perfect and the kids all did awesome. It was perfect. We got a bit of a late start (Jerad worked this morning and we also had to go to the bloodlab) so we arrived at the zoo at 12:30. We closed the park down at 6pm! Ally didn't even want to leave then. She did soo soo well. Jerad and I each pushed a stroller...we rented one of those big ones for her. What a workout that was. But that made Ally able to do it. She never said she was tired or bored or didn't feel well, etc. I am not kidding you....the excitement of the zoo never wears off for our kids. I sometimes thought Evan would explode each time he saw a new animal. And for the first time since April I actually saw my daughter break out into a run.

I distinctly remember going to the Erie Zoo myself when I was young...me, my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt Gail. (Melissa wasn't born yet). For me, going to the zoo was the next best thing after Christmas morning. And that is how I felt like our kids were today. Just so happy. I made a little video of the pictures we took today, just so we could remember the fun. There is a few notes on pictures in the show. (PS I am still trying to figure out how to get music into these things, so I had to use what the program provided!)


About 4 o'clock we learned that Ally's counts were high enough to start the third month of chemo. Her ANC was 880 (and needed to be higher than 750) We are due to arrive at Dayton Children's at 10am. She will get this one particular chemo that requires a lot of hydration due to potential damage to the kidneys. So they have to give her fluids, then we have to wait for her to pee, then test it to make sure it is diluted enough, then the chemo drip, then 4 -6 hours of hydration after that. Whew. She is also starting that daily chemo again and will get a dose of that. It is called ARA-C and we will have homecare come out on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. (also next weekend) We are also starting 14 days of oral chemo, a liquid that she swallows at the same time each evening. Tomorrow it is back to reality for the Barnett family. Please say a prayer that this new round of chemo will be killing all the lingering leukemia cells in her body.

16 comments:

  1. What an awesome day. I knew it must be going well when I didn't see you home until late. So glad that you all had fun together.

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  2. This whole week (even though it set you back) was a gift. So many good days that you will remember. What a perfect day at the zoo to end the week. I love all of the smiles in the video. Lots of great pictures!
    Tomorrow is a bittersweet day. I am glad and thankful the numbers went up so you can get back on the schedule, but it sure was nice to see all of those smiles this past week(from Ally and you).

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  3. Thank God for an amazing day! Ally running? What is better than that?

    Praying for an easy transition tomorrow. . .

    Amanda

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  4. Terri Barnett ShumakerAugust 7, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    Beautiful pics. I too love the Zoo. I saw where a family visited 52 Zoo's in 52 weeks I think that would be awesome.
    Glad you have gotten the time to enjoy each other.
    Here's to a good Friday.

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  5. Happiness in hard times -- it builds character and bonds a family. So thrilled to hear you got your day at the zoo and that Ally was so happy. Prayers to you for Friday.

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  7. Yeah for the zoo!!! My favorite place in all of NYC is the Central Park zoo. It is small, but perfect. Maybe some day you guys can all come check out our zoos?

    I'm thinking of you guys all day today. I'm thankful her counts were good. I know it stinks to start again, but it's how you beat this.

    strong, patient, healthy thoughts...

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  8. Loved your comment about Ally running. After I stopped and thought about it, you're right, I haven't seen her run either. Perfect image of how well and excited she was feeling. I'm SO glad you had such a wonderful day. Days like that may have been taken for granted before, but now they are like treasure.

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  9. What a great end to a great week! So glad it all worked out for you!

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  10. Loved the video - darling pictures! Praise God for the good days...I'm so glad you've had a "break" from the stress and struggle - even if just for awhile. I'm praying for strength and perseverance for today...and good results. LOVE TO ALL!!!

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  11. Janel, The Zoo is awesome! All our adult children and grandchildren love it also. We are lucky to have a wonderful zoo so close. So glad you all had a great time. We will as always keep you all in our prayers. Remeber each day brings you all closer to the totally healthy side of this nigthmare.

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  12. What a wonderful week!!! There will be more weeks like this and less like the last months as we all go down this path with you. Chin up ladybug - Ally's Army is alive and well and flooding Heaven with prayers!

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  13. Ally looks awesome! There is a spark in her smile and her spirit in these pictures! I am so very happy that your family had such a wonderful day together!

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  14. Thanks for sharing--was wishing the zoo would be a good day for all of you! yipee!! It was nice to see you out about & smiling at Extreme homesite, having fun with friends. What a nice break for everyone this past week - nurishment for the soul to move ahead & cradle your Ally as she forges ahead. Will be thinking of you these next several days. Faith-Love-Peace ~ Kim

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  15. I was so excited to see your post and that you were all able to go to the zoo and that Ally was still feeling so well to enjoy it. That is just awesome. I'm so glad you guys have had the opportunity to enjoy this past week. You did a great job on the video. Loved Evan in the turtle. Good luck tomorrow I will be thinking of you all.

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  16. What a wonderful post about your trip to the zoo - everyone reading could feel like they were along with you and picture Ally running. It was a beautiful end to your "family vacation". The video was great! Praying for an easy transition for Ally back into treatments. I, too, remember going to the Erie Zoo. My mom and dad also took my two daughters to the zoo when they were young. They both still love going to zoos thanks to Nanie and Papa. May you all have a good week. Your cousin, Jane

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