What a week

Simone's blood counts didn't look to great on Tuesday so instead of chemotherapy she received blood and platelets and had to return on Wednesday.

	Recommended levels	Tue, 21 July 2015	Thu, 23 July 2015	Fri, 24 July 2015
Haemoglobin	12.1-16.3	8	7.1	10.5
Platelets	150-450	227	117	95
White cell count	3.92-9.88	2	3.52	3.45
Potassium	3.5-5.1	4.2	4.4	4.3
Neutrophils	2.0-7.5	1	2.43	2.36
Infection count	2.0-7.5	2	1.2	1.2
Fibrinogen	1.0-1.25	1		1.15

After chemotherapy on Wednesday the doctors were still concerned about her levels so she was admitted to hospital. She got a room with a lovely view, but she would rather break out and go home if she was given half a chance ...

Room with a view

She received another two pints of blood on Wednesday evening taking her past midnight before she could finally get some shut eye.

Simone is not happy with being confined to a hospital room again but it is necessary to keep her safe.

Kylee (16) is in the same ward as Simone and also fighting Leukemia. Please add her to your prayer list. She and her mum Rae is also at the hospital.

Gabz from Assumption organised a blood drive at school for friday. Parents, ex-learners, current students and anyone else interested could come a donate at the 'Blood for a beauty' drive yesterday. She added a list of 13 names, and that is only the ones she saw with her own eyes in between classes. A few were rejected due to anaemia. What an awesome effort girls ...

Assumption blood drive

Updates were made to the Simone's challenge and Love blanket pages as well. Current tally for blog visits is standing on 5043. Keep looking and praying when you do. 

A new page Vaal visit and party will be added soon, keep yours eyes open for that one.

If I have missed anyone on the Simone's challenge list please let me know, it was not intentionally.

Tuesday update

Chemotherapy Tuesday

It is Tuesday again so Simone is off to Pretoria for her weekly Dr's visit, chemotherapy session and lumber puncture. But in true Simone spirit she attended school for a bit first.

Blood results
Haemoglobin 10 (12.1-16.3)
Platelets 399 (150-450)
White cell 8.6 (3.92-9.88)
Neutrophils 5.4 (2.0-7.5)
Infection count 2 (<5)

Why should Simone keep up the chemotherapy and still have a bone marrow transplant?
1. The high white blood cell count in the beginning, when it is over 100 there is a risk of the cancer returning.
2. The CNR (where the cancer started) is in her face and it is high risk since it is near her brain.
Simone is in remission but they are still continuing her treatment for her own advantage.

Back to school ... already

Caitlyn and Simone

Can you believe it, little more than a month after Simone was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia she reported back to school today. It might only have been for part of the day but with Caitlyn's help with her school bag and paying attention in case Simone miss something she deserves our praise.

On Friday, July 3rd, Dr. Augustyn came back to Simone's parents with the fantastic news ... her marrow is clear. And he gave her permission to go to school as long as she wears a mask and gloves to protect her from all the goggas roaming free out here in the big bad world.

The plan forward (subject to change) is the following:
1. She will continue with her outpatient program until Jan 16th. Chemotherapy and lumber puncture weekly.
2. NO radiation.
3. Likely receive a bone marrow transplant within the 6 month treatment plan.

Simone is checking in at 12 tomorrow for another round of chemotherapy and a possible lumber puncture. She is determined however to fit in a couple of periods at school first.

Simone's 1st day at school went off very well. It is amazing that she is back so soon. God bless. Neville Workman, Assumption Convent (letter from Simone's principal on the group late this afternoon)

Sorry for the long lapse since the last update but we were literally out of range. Will bring other pages (Orange, Love blanket, Simone's challenge and Simone's rosary up to date now that I have signal again.