In the hospital

Salam

Just wanted to update folks to let them know that Zaynab was running a fever and we had to take her to the hospital on Sunday. The doctors want to keep her there until her fever is gone and her white blood cell count goes back up. So far thankfully the fever seems to be going away and her white blood cell count is inching back up again. Right now she is still considered to be very neutropenic and at risk of infection.

They have been giving her fluids and antibiotics and she seems to be doing ok except for the normal aches and pains. She is however anxious to get back home.

She was also scheduled to start the second month of Consolidation tomorrow, but because her blood counts are low she will most likely have to wait a week. At least we are kind of hoping that's the case.

That's all for now ...

Consolidation Day 23

Assalaamu Alaikum

Thanks everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers we are definitely feeling the effect.

This past week for Zaynab has been pretty good Alhamdulilah. There were several days where she was able to work on her homework and do some activities like playing the guitar. This has probably been the first time she actually had a full week of school. If you remember from the last post we were a little worried about one of the medicines causing an allergic reaction. Thankfully Zaynab did not experience any allergic reaction to the medicine.

There were days however where she was nauseous and a little fatigued but all in all we're very thankful. Her latest blood counts show that her hemoglobin levels are close to normal, however, her white blood cell count is still very low. We are one week away from the end of the first month of Consolidation. After the first month they run another blood test to make sure her blood counts are high enough to continue consolidation. If her blood counts are not high enough they will wait a week. Secretly we are kind of hoping for a week off but we are putting our faith in God and hoping for the best.

thanks everyone and hopefully we'll try and update you soon.

Eyman

Consolidation Day 16

Salaamu Alaikum

This last week we were lucky enough to have my sister Abrar visiting. I got a week's break from Zaynab's nightshifts...:) It was Abrar's first time to visit since Zaynab got sick and Zaynab was so excited to see her that she begged her dad to go with him to pick her up from the airport and guess what she did.

That was about a week ago and since then the chemo really started affecting her and her blood counts got very low. She suffered from mild headaches and fatigue. The nausea also was starting to get a bit worse. We had to cancel some of her home schooling arrangements. Last Thursday and they had to give her a blood and a platelet transfusion. Zaynab wasn't too happy about it, but she did look and feel a little better afterwards. Alhamdulilah. All of these side effects and low blood counts are expected and we are grateful and praying that her treatment continues to go well. Insha Allah.

On Friday she got another dose of chemo and Alhamdulilah they said she didn't need anymore blood at that point. One of the medicines, Peg Asperiginase, that they gave her has a risk of severe allergic reaction and we need to monitor her over the next couple of weeks to ensure that nothing develops. Alhamdulilah so far so good.

Thanks to everyone for the help and support and continued prayers.

Eyman

Continuing to adjust

Salam

Its been a week since our last post and Alhamdulilah things are progressing.  This week Zaynab started Consolidation and so far its been going ok.  Some nausea and stomach pain initially but that has lessened the last couple of days Alhamdulilah.  She also was able to sleep through the whole night the last few nights!

Alhamdulilah, Zaynab has been trying to get caught back up with school.  Her teachers have been leaving her lots of homework to catch up on ... :).  She has also been trying to go for short walks outside to regain her strength.  Walking up the stairs is still a struggle though.

While this phase has gone ok so far, we were told however about Consolidation is that very soon (either this week or next) the doctors expect her blood counts to get very low again.  From what they tell us, its normal for kids to get admitted in the hospital during this phase because their counts get very low and are prone to infection.  So please keep us in your prayers.

Once again, I would like to thank all of our friends and family for the love and support.  We feel blessed for all the love and support.  As we are going through this we realize that there are a lot of simple things that we take for granted.  As Zaynab was suffering from constipation and bloating we saw first hand how valuable human functions that we assumed to be involuntary actions affect the quality of everyday life.

Salam
Musaab and Eyman