Mystery Rash! Day +32

Turns out Sam's rash is not shingles like they thought last Wednesday and so far negative for all viral panels they've run and not responding to antibiotic. Today at clinic, we had another platelet transfusion and will now start a trial of an oral steroid. If the rash is graft vs. host disease but just atypical in presentation, this should show improvement. We were hoping to avoid steroids if possible because of their side effects but we are starting with a relatively low dose. They cause increased appetite which is probably good for Sam, but also intense mood swings and swelling of her cheeks/ head etc. We'll see how it goes but if her reaction to steroids during chemo is any indication, could be a rough few days:(

If rash is not improved by Thursday, she is scheduled to have a skin biopsy and a bone marrow aspirate procedure. She will yet again be put under for this (sixth time I think in a few months?). They can then run more tests on the actual skin sample for infections and look at the marrow to see if their are "baby platelets". If there are, this means her body is producing them but something is eating them up. Docs just feel she should be showing a more positive trend by now and holding onto platelets longer than she is. White blood cell line and red blood cell line appear more stable which is good.

I hope the steroids work with minimal side effects and we can avoid Thursday's procedures, but I do appreciate the doctors being diligent in looking for answers proactively and not just taking a "wait and see" approach.

I hope everyone had an awesome Mother's Day weekend! Although not at all how I would ever imagined our life to be right now, I was truly thankful to spend it at home with Brandon, my mom, and both kiddos. It was another day I couldn't be more appreciative of my own mom as I had a touch of some stomach bug. It's a really delicate balance throughout life to be a good friend AND a good mother, but our baba is both to me and our while family is just so lucky to have her around. She is our rock and life boat in times of need and somehow, always helps get me back to shore!

Also thanks to all my mommy friends and such an awesome group of mom's at Kaedens school! The continued organized help with meals, rides, cards, conversations, and gifts is amazing and gives our stamina a much needed kindness boost:)

Fingers crossed the steroid works and our little angel isn't a TOTAL crazy drama queen for the time being:)