Positive notes

We are allowed to escape the room today - you have to stay in the room for 24 hours after having a fever. So, we have already been to music class, the playroom and to visit the fishies.

Dante's ANC is up to 20 and his other levels are quite low, so he might need a blood transfusion tomorrow. We have to stay until Sunday, but if his counts don't improve, we will be here longer. I hope not too much longer, as we are supposed to start round 2 on Wednesday.

His hair started to come out today. Not obviously to anyone, but lots of strands everywhere on his shirts and pillows. Sara, his child life therapist, had him put a scarf on a puppet, Reggie, who had lost his hair. He also got to put tape on Reggie's port and put medicine in the line. I swear, whatever the child life therapists make - it is not enough. Sara has made our stay here so much smoother, not only in talking to us and Dante but being our advocate with the doctors and nurses as well. Dante is so much more comfortable with the medical equipment and hospital experience after talking and playing with Sara. Thank you Sara!

I thought I would add today some positive things that are happening:

• Dante is super happy. We have a double room, but only one bed, so we made the other half of the room into a dance floor last night. We had a blast!
  
• Carina has learned to smile at the hospital. She was just starting last visit, but now is actually giggling and watching us walk around the room and giving us a big gummy smile.
  
• I get to put Dante in silly outfits - I bought some babylegs - which are perfect for a cold hospital room when they want to check his diaper or surgery scars all the time. Chris isn't too happy about the feminine aspect of the babylegs, but Dante loves them! I think we're going to buy the ones with flames to make daddy happier.
  
• Being in the hospital completely insulates you from all the bad news going on in the world, as we don't have time to read the paper or watch the news. Or be home to get bills in the mail!
  
• I get to take cute photos of the kids sleeping - how rare that is at the same time!
  
• Dante has his first crush - his nurse for the past 2 days, Adissa. Everything is Adissa this and Adissa that. We have really have had the greatest nurses. Everyone is helpful and friendly and puts up with us asking a million questions. But, then again Dante charms them all with his smile and green crocs.

Thanks to Molly for the salad - can't wait to try it! Thanks to Aunt Laurie for the Pumpkin Spice Latte and yet another Elmo button book.
OK - stay tuned for tomorrow's ANC count. I might actually try to fill in backstory tonight if I find the time for those just tuning in...