Day 4:

• last night was a little bit easier - no vomiting, or fever, just lots of peeing and visits from nurses, techs, etc.  both of the parents slept better, though and I think Annie did as well.
• unless something changes, I think Annie is officially anti-hospital staff.  Fern (Stacy) and I appreciate them immensely, but Annie doesn't know what they're doing for them.  she just knows they come, wake her up, poke her, prod her, ask her questions, etc.  and her "roid rage" as the nurses explain is a very real side effect of her daily steroid medicine.
• early morning blood work came back and Dr. Halpern visits again.  he can't be happier with her numbers - verbatim: "we really can't better results than this".  music to our ears - Beethoven actually.
• what is not music is when Crankenstein is in a bad mood.  Fern has the patience of a saint, but stuck in a 20' x 20' room 24x7 with the monster is wearing on me. . . ..   What's that prayer about God give me strength??
• we're both thankful that Annie's color looks good, she's eating regularly (albeit, bird-like amounts) and generally looks strong and healthy.  hopefully she recovers this well every week. 
• we're also getting more used to frequent hand washing/sanitizing and identifying potential bacteria/germ invasions from surfaces inside and outside of the room, and anyone who enters and doesn't take a tug from the Purell container - grrrrrr.
• when we asked about Annie taking a walk down to the play area today, the doctor actually told us she could go outside!!!  I almost asked him for his credentials.  seriously though, we did get her to take a walk and see some of the floor - there were several body guards accompanying her on her tour.  and this week, we do plan to take her to the designated outside area for the kids - but one step at a time.
• some of our visitors got Annie to smile and laugh, and her big sister played with her for a couple of hours (a miracle before our eyes), which was invaluable medicine.

                                     

• tried to take a video of them playing, but it came out sideways.  anyone know how to fix that?  if so, I'll email you the video so you can fix it for me.
• need to fit a little work back into life and get a bit of normalcy for Oliver and Tich, so the three of us headed home with Annie in bed and Fern worrying over her. 
• now I'm home and got a text from Fern that there's a chemo treatment on her calendar for tomorrow that we hadn't seen before.  gonna be a quick visit to the office tomorrow. . . .
• have to say it again, Annie's Army continues to prop us up.  family, neighbors and friends new and old insist on pitching in to help us look after the home front, pets and older kids.  my brothers served as my surrogate at Oliver's soccer games this weekend, Fern's sister and Kelli hosted sleepovers, so many offers from friends to take them places and keep them distracted.  Uncle Bob has rallied a friend of his to add Annie to an upcoming radio show he's broadcasting worldwide.  Auntie Tibby has a Facebook chain going all the way over in England!!  more visitors come with toys in tow and happily put up with dirty looks from the little monster who will hopefully someday appreciate their love and concern.  my neighbor actually walked Bear - don't get me wrong, he's a wonderful dog, but he's terrible on a leash!!  Mikey Laglia Christened his baby girl today and took time out to remind the congregation to pray for Annie. our soccer friends almost pester us with loving heartfelt messages that almost threaten us if we don't tell them how they can help.  they even want to take the kids on trips!!  some friends and neighbors are even putting together a food chain:)  even the kids' teachers are saying prayers for us.  with all of the awful news stories that occupy our daily lives, it's so awesome to see that real live has so many more good people than bad.  all we can do is again say THANK YOU!!
• okay, signing off for tonight.