Day 169

     We went to the clinic today.  All of Katie's levels are below normal.  However, we are going to wait a few more days, to a week, before we take Katie in to get a blood transfusion.  Even though her blood count was low, they want to wait until Katie bottoms out before giving her the transfusion.  If Katie had gotten the transfusion today, then we would run the risk of her needing a second blood transfusion before this phase is over - so it is better to wait a few days.  Katie may need platelets soon as well, because she is below normal there too.
     In anticipation of Katie needing transfusions, we had Scott's brother donate blood and platelets on Monday. Unfortunately we found out today that a blood relative should not donate to Katie, because she could build up antibodies, and in the event Katie needs a bone marrow transplant, that family member could not be considered as a transplant donor for Katie - and we want to keep all options available to us, just in case Katie does need a transplant.  So, long story short, we can't use her uncle's blood.  We will be using the blood bank, and we are fine with that at this point.  It's just crazy that no one ever mentioned that to us before - I guess that goes back to us starting at Cardon's hospital - we have found out that they didn't tell us a lot of things.  Which once again makes us so glad to be at PCH and to have found the doctor and nurses we now have.  It was such a rough start - Cardon's and then the East Valley Clinic - but we feel so very blessed to have the doctor we now have.  Dr. Dana is wonderful!
     I have been wondering exactly what percentage of the children with Katie's diagnosis relapse.  So...today I asked.  Katie has a 10% chance of relapsing.  I don't know how to feel about that.  10% is still 10%.  But Dr. Dana encouraged me not to focus on that.  Katie is responding.  And we are currently going through a very difficult and emotional phase, so all energy needs to be focused on now and on the positive.  Scott also reminded me last night: "One day at a time."  We can do this.
     President Thomas S. Monson said: "William James, a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, wrote, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.

     Charles Swindoll—author, educator, and Christian pastor—said: “Attitude, to me, is more important than … the past, … than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”

We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude. (Living the Abundant Life, Ensign, Jan., 2012).