You learn many games in kindergarten. One is Red Light, Green Light! Tillie lost that game! She collided with a classmate and fractured her wrist. It was a slight fracture and with chemo bones can become weaker. She sported a purple cast for 3 weeks. She was also at the clinic that day for a blood draw as her counts were dropping. What that means is her ANC (Absolute Neutraphil Count) drops. The neutraphil is the part of the white blood cell that attacks infection. Later that night, Tillie ran a fever and the next day Emily took her to ER.
Tillie's ANC count was zero! Not good so she was admitted to the hospital! Lest you feel sorry for her, don't! She had a week of volunteers and arts and crafts! Because her counts were non-existent, she was "confined to quarters." So, volunteers come and play with her, bring toys, etc. This is especially helpful to Emily because as Tillie is hospitalized, so is Emily. She stays there with Tillie. This happened in October and Tillie was in for a week. She finally got to go to the playroom the day she was discharged.
Tillie missed a week of school, but that was ok. She is doing REALLY well. Grandma gets to brag! Tillie's at the top of her class! She loves to learn and is excited to read! Kindergarten seems to be the new 1st grade.
This picture is an example of the arts and crafts they have for the kids! Tillie loves her arts and crafts!
Here's Tillie and Andi Pistay at Thanksgiving. Two years ago Andi had Tillie help with the whip cream..Tillie freaked a little bit with the mixer! This time she had no problem..I think we have a new tradition going on here!
And here, is a little sidenote! This little guy, Tillie's brother Ravis has also been a trooper through all of this. Often times his little life gets disrupted. This last hospital stay, Ravis stayed with his other grandparents, so he didn't have to go to daycare. Ravis is 3 now, and he's a little guy and doesn't talk much yet. But we've all noticed since Tillie's gone to school, he's talking a bit more. Funny thing is he knows exactly what's going on! In this picture he's looking at our digital picture frame. The pictures are from the Make A Wish trip to Disney World. When a picture of Ravis came up he said "Hi Me!" Hahaha! He's a great kid!
In October or so, Tillie knocked one of her top front teeth and the gum darkened. Emily took her to the dentist and there was a pocket of infection in there, so an appointment was made to pull the tooth. Actually, they pulled 3 teeth..all baby teeth. Her front two teeth and an extra tooth Tillie had...so this the before picture.
Here she is with her goggles and laughing gas!
AFTER! All she wants for Christmas is her 3 front teeth..she'll only get two though! Hahaha..the extra tooth doesn't have an adult counterpart!
We are so thankful to all who love and support and pray for Tillie and her family! God is faithful!
