Days 9 & 10 (7/1 - 7/2):

• Annie had her second surgery yesterday.  It was sort of a mini-surgery.  We went to the Valerie Center instead of the O.R.  The anesthesia was different and didn't require a breathing tube.  Fern and I were able to be in the room until she was sedated.
• Many of you have probably been put under anesthesia and remember "10, 9. . " and then waking up.  But, you don't really know what happened or how long it really took for you to fall asleep.  It literally takes 2 seconds.  Annie was nervous and upset, of course, about going in for the procedure and was crying.  The anesthesiologist was talking to her about where to put the little sensor that reads the patient's oxygen level - usually goes on the finger or toe.  She was telling him she didn't want it anywhere, when he said, "mom, she's gonna fall asleep in about 2 or 3 seconds".  It was two - right as he said it, she took one blink and then her head literally went limp.  The nurse was ready and took her chin just as she started to slump.  Amazing.
• Her surgery was to do another spinal tap (or lumbar puncture for those who've been reading the blog:)) and change her port.  The spinal tap was done to draw spinal fluid to check again for leukemia and to give another dose of chemo in there.  The port change was just done to avoid infection, etc.
• Everything went well and she came out with the gurney feet-up.  Apparently, there is a theory that lying with head lower than feet helps to get the chemo meds get up to the head.  Looked funny, but if it will help, go for it.
• Last night she received her second phosphate transfusion, which takes four hours, but doesn't bother her in the least.  Phosphorus is an essential electrolyte which can apparently become deficient in ALL patients.
• This morning, we got confirmation that there was no leukemia in the spinal fluid. 
• Almost as exciting, she had no nausea from the procedure or the big chemo day. 
• Last piece of great news is that Annie's blood sugar seems to have gotten itself under control and they discontinued the six-a-day blood sugar tests.  She may have hated those as bad as anything so far, and was beginning to get hysterical every time the tech came in the room with the test kit.
• Her appetite remains voracious.  But, she's starting to go more for the junk and snacks (salty, not sweet) than her meals.  Hard to tell her no, but we're gonna have to do something. . . .

Annie's Army:

• Many of you have already committed to the 8/17 blood drive - THANK YOU - signup link to come next week!!
• Lots of visitors, including the miracle worker, Alicia.  She spent some time acting impressed as Annie showed off her new toys and then played with her down in the play room.  After that, she had to head home to look after all the pets:)
• Annie made it the top of another prayer group - in California!!  Compliments of the Bielinski family.  They've also delivered a prayer shawl that the group knits as they pray.
• Sister Theresa visits frequently, even though Annie won't talk to her.  I think Annie thinks she's one of the doctors, which would explain the icy reception poor Sister Theresa gets.  Despite that, she sat with us last night and told us about her pilgrimage to Lourdes, and told us what to do with the Lourdes water we got from Aunt Nance during the week.
• Our friend, Rami Attieh, is 4 days into his nine day Novena. 
• Our neighborhood got together and made up two giant snack kits - one for Annie at the hospital, and one for Oliver and Tich at home.  I'll bet the dentist is smiling.
• The Collins family earned a date to Reservoir Tavern when Annie's well:) 
• The meal train is wonderful - we can't thank the participating families enough.