Update on Maggie...

I am overjoyed to report that our Maggie is in remission with her nephrotic syndrome and OFF her steroids now for 8 days!!!!!

Praise the Lord! HE is the great and mighty healer!

The combination of remission and being steroid free is a first for us in 7 months. We honestly did not think we could be any happier...until yesterday. To top these last glorious 8 steroid free days off... yesterday we received information on some lab work that Maggie had drawn last Friday. It was a follow up lab draw to evaluate her levels while in remission and off the steroids. Her labs were basically normal!!!!!

Yes, I said normal.

The key areas of concern were greatly improved. For example, Maggie has had super high cholesterol as a result of the nephrotic syndrome (just one of those crazy side effects from protein spillage). Her cholesterol level has been around 400-450...normal is usually 125-170. Her latest report from last Friday showed her cholesterol was 190! Also, Maggie's albumin (blood protein) levels have always been super low from spilling protein in her urine... around 1.3-1.8... and normal is 3.6-5.1...and Friday's labs showed it at 4.3!!! She also had some liver function labs drawn, since her steroids were processed through her liver, just to evaluate if there has been stress or damage to her liver after 7 months of the drug...and all of her liver levels were normal.

I hate to say it, because it makes me sound pessimistic and faithless...but I was so surprised at the excellent report. I normally don't care for surprises....but this one...I LOVED. We are just so thankful to see that when Mags is back to normal...she is still our healthy, strong, resilient girl. God is so good, and "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)".

We are going to continue to stay close to home for the next few weeks, venturing out into the "germy" community as little as possible (trying to keep Maggie from getting any little illnesses). Mags will see her kidney doctor on April 25th, and we would love to be able to "show off" at his office, that Maggie is still in remission and off her steroids. We know that if she doesn't relapse again for a while, then the chemo drug treatment won't be an immediate threat.

However, today was a day to celebrate for us...so we ventured out. Celebrating 8 days with no steroids and excellent lab results, woohoo. So we headed to the park for a picnic lunch and playtime. It has been a beautiful sunny day here...75 degrees and tons of sunshine.

We met mine and Mag's best pals (Sarah & Clayton) at our favorite park and played for 3 hours! Never fear...FYI: we "de-germed", as soon as we got home with a bath and fresh change of clothes. Ha. Yes, I have become THAT mother.

Enjoy some pics from our time at the park!

Love to all,

Leah

Our precious Maggie Caroline...

Got crack...just couldn't resist!

Clayton & Maggie...best pals...and future husband and wife...that is if Sarah & I have any say in the matter! :)

This is Sadie's "scrunchy face" smile...so darn cute!!!

Sweet Sadie-bug...loving some time outdoors too!