Here’s how it all happened:

Oct 1 – Serenity had a routine clinic visit for her intravenous vincristine. When we got the results of her blood draw, her ANC was quite low – only 400. (Anything under 500 is considered neutropenic.) We were told to hold her chemo (oral chemo, not the dose she’s just received) for 2 weeks and then her blood would be re-drawn and her ANC hopefully high enough to resume chemo. So although I was a bit worried that her counts were low, I thought it would be a nice break for her system from the chemo.

Oct 7 – Home Health nurse comes to take Serenity’s vital signs. No blood draw but everything else is good.

Oct 8 – Serenity wakes looking sick, with a fever, but it quickly disappears on its own and she is back to normal.

Oct 9 – Serenity wakes looking sick. Her fever of 101 degrees lasts for 2 hours, then I call the clinic. (I am supposed to call at one hour but things were crazy getting the other kids out the door for school, so it didn’t happen.) The oncology nurse wants me to take her to the nearest ER saying kids with a fever can get really sick, really fast. We compromise by me agreeing to phone the clinic when I get to American Fork after dropping the twins off with my mother in law. Her fever is 100 degrees by that time and she looks fine, but the clinic wants me to bring her in. Her ANC is only 100, and after some IV antibiotics and some discussion she is admitted to the Immune Compromised ward.

Oct 10 – Her ANC is up to 200.

Oct 11 – Her ANC is back down to 100, but no fever for 24 hours and she looks great. She is bouncing on the bed and asking to go home. We are discharged, which I had mixed feelings about. I was ready to be home, but several kids at home have sore throats and I am worried about her low ANC.

Oct 12 – Home Health is back again, to do a blood draw. Her vitals are good and she is feeling alright, although she is particularly cross today and throw several MAJOR tantrums, which is unlike her. Her ANC is back up to 400, but the clinic wants to see her tomorrow for another blood draw.