Hi all – Sally and I shared the pullout chair bed last night, I just remember waking up at some point and having the arm of the chair digging into my back, my side sore, and a little girl shoved up against me. Have to say, there was nothing sweeter than waking up later on and seeing these two little eyes inches away peering at me, apparently watching me sleep. I just adore my little girl, the pains in the night are worth it and more if it means her getting better.
I actually had to call the nurse for her blood counts, which turned out to be a good sign as they didn’t have to wake her to do a platelet transfusion for the first time in 4 days. Sally’s platelets essentially doubled to 19 and showed real growth. That was the good news. On the other hand her WBC remained at .1, still no growth there. Doctors again assured us that this is normal, and we just have to wait til her body resumes making these vital cells again.
Other than that, it was an uneventful day according to Nicole. Sally continued to receive her chemo, although the ones that don’t affect cell counts. She stayed up last night and baked a birthday cake for one of Sally’s favorite nurses, a pretty impressive thing as you can see in the pictures at the bottom. You can also see that yellow was apparently the color of the day for the Kabel girls. I was not so sunny today, there’s good days and bad days and today was one of those days I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. Probably a combination of the ups and downs of the weekend, knowing I wouldn’t see Sally or Nicole for almost 2 days, and obviously a lack of sleep. A good night’s sleep and getting to spend some quality time with the boys tonight will let me attack the day tomorrow.
Nicole and I want to thank everybody for their support – whether its comments on this board or Sally’s Facebook page, sending things to the boys to keep them distracted, watching and making them feel loved when we can’t be here, doing our shopping, or Aunt Sabina doing our laundry and giving us rides back and forth to the city. As this hospital stay goes into its 6th day of what could be a couple more days, it starts to take a toll on all of us and your support is helping us get through it.
For now, its just a waiting game…c’mon WBCs!
Please keep Sally in your prayers.
Matt
https://www.facebook.com/SweetSallySunshine
Good job u two. Love the cake and u too
Gran
I am so impressed with your updates! And, that cake looks awesome Nicole. How do you have the energy? Sally is on our prayers as are the rest of you! I can’t imagine how exhausted / draining this is for you. Hoping and praying for more good news in th weeks/months ahead!!!
We are sending positive thoughts your way. Hoping Sally’s counts rise quickly and for more good days than bad. thank you for the moral support this past week- we need it:-)
Wow The cake is Beautiful! You are both so Special….
Love and Prayers,
Marie Sidoti
Dear Matt and Nicole – my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at all times.
Love, Karey
That is great. We are all praying hard for that little sunshine. I guess it is working. Praying today will be even better for u guys.
Hang in there, Matt. I can’t even imagine where you and Nicole are getting the strength to run this race. Just go hour by hour and keep Sally’s smile in your mind.
Get some real sleep tonight!
Love and prayers
Hi Girls,
You look beautiful, bright and cheery! The birthday cake was neat Nicole and that was so nice of you to do! I remember that years ago when I spent weeks and months in the hospital, the staff became a part of my family. So, I know how important it is to let them know how much you appreciate them! Love you, Gram Kabel
Hi Sister Virginia Lake from BKHS, posted about your daughter, I am from the class of 87. I am O- CMV- (it is suppose to be good for babies). Email me if I can help with a blood donation. I am also on be the match as well. Prayers for your daughter and you as well.
Hi Theresa – please reach out to Mary at MSK at 212-639-3335, thank you!
Just read Sr. Virginia’s post about your journey. Please know that Sally and the rest of the family will be in my prayers from this point on. At this very moment I am unable to donate (I have done it in the past so I know the criteria), when things change, I will be there. Hopefully, Sally won’t need them anymore:-) Take time to take care of yourselves also. If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Kearney community.
You made that cake, Nicole! Banana chocolate? I bet the nurse was truly thrilled. I added you – and Matt and baby Sally – onto the Quaker light list. It’s our mystical practice to meditate on people when they are in times of strife, holding them ‘in the light’.
So you now have even more Friends out there…
DK
Hi Matt and Nicole , praying the good news continues , you two are doing a wonderful job of caring for Sally and the boys. The cake is beautiful . Thinking and praying for you morning into night. Love you, Aunt Helen
Matt-sending light and love and a little snippet of peace.
Much love,
The keoughs
Nicole-that’s just like you baking a cake when you could be taking a nap. Sending you all hugs! xoxo
Michele