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Harper's Recovery
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Harper's Recovery
I’ve been struggling to find the words for an update lately, but I wanted to share where we are.
Last Tuesday, we took Harper into the clinic after a very difficult night. We did everything possible to avoid the ER, and the clinic team was ready for her the moment we arrived. Her breathing was rapid and she was clearly in significant distress. She was admitted to the PICU to have a drain placed, which allowed them to remove 2.5L of fluid from her abdomen—just three days after a previous 2L drainage.
Having the drain has given us a way to manage this at home, and taking the fluid off slowly has provided her with almost immediate relief. However, our oncologist has gently prepared us that this is a temporary fix, and we should expect fewer "good days" ahead.
During this admission, Mandy from CURE brought Harper a special care package from Ms. Rachel! Harper absolutely loved the book and has been using the blanket and cup every single day.
With the support of her hospice team, we were able to bring her home on Wednesday. My sisters, Erin and Kellie, both flew in to help us, and we are receiving frequent visits from our wonderful nurse, Michelle. We’re still heading into the clinic a few times a week for blood products and count checks.
Harper is still eating small amounts for pleasure, but she remains on TPN for her main nutrition. We were grateful for a good weekend where we could celebrate Mother’s Day and Ryan’s birthday together.
This week, we’ve noticed she is requiring pain medication almost around the clock and is sleeping for the majority of the day. But when she is awake, we thankfully still see those sparks of Harper energy and sass that we love so much.
We are trying to take things one moment at a time, but it is simply heartbreaking to see her slip away. Please keep the prayers and good thoughts coming for our sweet girl—our biggest hope is that she stays comfortable.
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