Today is Sunday March 18, 2007

Kayla's blood work is getting better everyday.
Her Sed rate is back to what is was before the
big fall in December. (that is one of her JRA markers)
The new medication Anikinra(Kineret) has finally built
up in her system to be effective. Hopefully she can stay on
it. It is a cousin to the study drug she was on.
She is still very weak from being in a hospital bed for almost
2 1/2 months. It is sunshiny today, so we will try to go outside!!
Take Care
Love
Rick, Jeneice & Kayla

Kandice has moved to assisted living & is doing very well.
She has adjusted quickly & has just about all the same rules
as home. I guess it's worse coming from your Mom!!

Rick will be flying home today. Take care of a few things at
home & fly back to work on the 21st.

First Official Update

Hey everyone, Kayla here. Let's start with the Macrophage Activation Syndrome. The doctors all feel I'm stablizing good enough to start up the chemo again on Monday (of course that depends on how the bloodwork comes back, which we're confident it will be better than yesterday). I am going to be getting steroid pulses twice a week until the chemo dosing is figured out, then we can start weaning me off the Prednisone. (Prednisone is the type of steroid they are giving me to maintain my lungs until the chemo kicks in).

The Juvenile Rheumetoid Arthritis is being kept under control with a daily shot called Anakinra.

I am recovering from an infection I got from my PICC line (that's what they were using to give me the chemo. It's like an IV, just a sturdier version). I am on a couple different antibiotics for that.

All in all, the overall plan is that I have 8 more days inpatient, then in Seattle indefinitely. Not the brightest of futures, but we all know life isn't fair!!

Oh goody! I just received another lovely gourmet hospital dinner, so that means I must leave you here. But never fear, I promise to update whenever I can. And when I can't I will try to have someone update it for me!

O.K.
Greetings all,
This is my first test blog and update.
All is going well as well as well can be due to my circumstances.
Blood is still not cooperating like it is supposed to. My lungs are getting better. I get to have them put to the test today. I will update all if this works