Angelina, our pet pig

Today was a good day for Anya - she was awake most of the day, was able to walk about 10 feet with assistance, reduced swelling, had a normal temp, and didn't have any new procedures or "pokes". It was encouraging for me to see her feed herself pizza and smile a few times. She even let me in on the running joke she has with Israel - that there is a pig, named Angelina, who likes to roll in the mud and is currently staying in the hospital's shower...nice to see her being an imaginative, playful kid again if only for a few minutes.

This evening brought more difficulty as it was nearing bedtime. The rash on her hip began to bother her very badly. She couldn't get comfortable and she spent at least an hour and a half trying to fall asleep. And she kept repeating, "All I can think about is the creme (the medicene they use for her rash) and Esther" while crying. I thought maybe a picture of Esther would help but when I showed it to her she only cried more and said that it made her miss Esther more.

I spoke with the doctor this afternoon and she confirmed that Anya still had leukemia blasts in her marrow as of the test yesterday and so she would have another bone marrow aspirate on Monday to check for more progress. The doctors are hoping that she will be in remission (in the technical sense) by the end of the month but they will continue chemo and other treatment for the next few years (or the leukemia would return).

The doctor also said that she hoped Anya could go home to my parents' house on Thursday or Friday so she could be more comfortable. Of course Anya would have to return on Monday for the test but if all goes well she could return home after that as well.

Thank you all again for your prayers, cards, gifts, and meals...they are very much appreciated! And for those of you who have offered support but we have not taken you up on your offers yet: please keep offering and know that we appreciate you and fully intend to accept your help in the future. We just realize that this is going to be a very long road and we are trying to conserve resources. The doctors expect things to be very intense for at least the next month or so and then to be semi intense for the next 6-9 months so we will need you for the long haul.