Kristina also has cancer..... AML(acute myeloid leukemia). Kristina has been battling leukemia for 17 months, and has relapsed twice. She went through 6 months of brutal chemotherapy to get in remission. Then her cancer came back, spreading to her liver, kidneys and spleen. Her prognosis was very poor. Her body had 95% cancer cells, which means that only 5% were normal cells. Even with treatment, her survival prognosis is 25% for 2-9 monthsEven after an extensive search, a bone marrow donor was not found, so Kristina had a mis-matched cord blood transplant on July 27, 1999. Kristina is very sick. She has had blood sugar problems, and is still at Zero in her immunity. The doctors are saying that her lungs sound "wet. More X-rays are planned. She has retained a lot of fluid so they are increasing her diurectics. The latest reaction has been Candidiasis in her mouth, an ordinary yeast to a healthy person, but a life threatening infection to an immune compromised child. Doctors are testing to make sure this infection is not in her bloodstream causing septicmia (signaled by her high blood pressure and heart rate).
August 19, 1999
Kristina spent the entire night in excruciating pain. They put Kristina back on a continuous pain drip... gave her a shot of morphine... and liquid novacaine inside her mouth. Finally she slept two hours. Doctors will increase her medication for infections. Many more tests still to do. Sadly there is no talk of Kristina going home soon. This child needs your prayers.
August 22, 1999
This is Day 22 from Kristina's bone marrow. She has retained even more fluid. She is now at 131 lbs. ... being only 4 ft 7 in., she is very swollen. None of eleven year old Kristina's original clothes that she packed for the hospital fit anymore. ... She is trying to work the stiffness out of her hands which were also swelling because she wants to do her painting. Doctors are going to give her more Lasix (diurectic)... her IV Vluid has already been cut back... even her TPN (IV food). Her liver and kidneys are very sluggish, but she continues to get insulin in her IV, blood pressure medicine and two antibiotics that are hopefully killing the yeast infections. She remains on the breathing treatments. She stays on oxygen while she sleeps. Kristina still has no immunity... her throat is causing her considerable pain. Yesterday she was able to eat a popsicle after taking pain medication.
September 5, 1999
Today's news is important. I have to open this update with a prayer:
"Thank you merciful Father. Thank you for carrying Kristina through this ordeal. For continuing to watch over her. I humbly thank you for giving me the strength to dry her tears and help her push on. Thank you Father for sending me all the angels who have been beside us all the way. And Father forgive me for being weak,and possesive of tattered faith. AMEN"
TODAY, Kristina and I have come home!!!!!!! I honestly have to say I never thought she would see this day. Her odds were 20% of ever leaving the hospital. This feels like such a big step ...YET.. She isn't out of the woods by any means. She is still in isolation. But home. She still has no immunity. She came home on 20 medications. I got a 10 page booklet of "What to Look For". But we are home. If she gets a fever, back we go for a 10- day hospital stay. The Drs expect her to get one, part of the "routine". We have to go back in 2 days. If she passes check-up, it's home again for 2 days, then check-up again. Yes, it is a lot of driving. But very worth it. Her electrolytes are still imbalanced. She is taking mega doses of supplements to hopefully straighten out her kidneys. She has a lot of hurtles to still clear. Perhaps at milestone DAY 100, we will celebrate. For now, albeit brief .....we are home!
Thank You to Everyone who is traveling this road with us!!!!
KRISTINA HILL
P.O.BOX 130682
TYLER,TEXAS 75713-0682
Kristina is very frustrated; she has been very tired. She said it is hard to enjoy being home when she is so weak. She is happy to see her cat. She has slept alot and had a low temp. Her aunt came and gave her GCSF shot this morning. She didn't like that one bit.......More tomorrow.
September 9, 1999
Day 42. Just arrived home from Dallas. Kristina had to check in with the doctors, because her platelet count was 3 this morning. Can't get much lower than that. We will not know her blood chemistry until tomorrow. Her red blood is down. She has to stay on the GCSF shots for cell stimulation. We will go back to Dallas on Friday unless she Kristina gets a fever, then we go sooner. Her temperature was 100.6 this morning, but it never hit 101. Doctor filled her with blood, platelets and added another antibiotic. She should be set for two more days. She is very tired, but glad to be home.
Kristina's family urgently pleas with everyone to consider becoming a bone marrow donor. You can go to any blood bank, and ask if they are on the National Register for Bone Marrow Donors and how you can be tested.
Here's a beautiful poem written by Kristina.... reflecting how her world is so very different from most of ours.
