A Week of Ups and Downs

 July 22nd - 25th
Tuesday - Friday

The week was filled with good news, and not so good news. Not bad news, just not so good news. Let me explain, first the "not so good news". Camryn has reverted back to struggling taking her meds.   The problem isn't really the medicines such as side effects, which she has experienced very little. Camryn just struggles taking pills. She will have great days and then she will have bad days. Three times this week she vomited immediately after completing all of her doses. How is that for bad timing? I am not a doctor, nor am I mental health expert, but in my humble opinion, Camryn merely has a mental block to taking so many pills at a time, how many eleven-year-old kids would not? I get that, but this particularly eleven-year-old needs to be compliant with regards to her drug regime. Mulligans do not exist in her world of bone marrow transplants. We have been working on all sorts of solutions, short of the dastardly nasal tube, and some are working. We just need some consistency from Camryn in her ability to comply with taking her meds when she is supposed to take them. However, Camryn has more good days than bad days, which certainly is a positive.

Now for the good news. All Camryn's blood work continues to look good. The Tuesday / Friday blood draws provide insight into Camryn's progressing immune system. Next Friday will be a very important day for Camryn. She will undergo her fourth bone marrow biopsy; the first post transplant. Even though Camryn is sedated during the procedure, it is surgery and she will be in pain for about 3 days after the biopsy. This particular biopsy will provide the first "real" look at the transplanted marrow, including how effectively Morgan's marrow is taking over the job of rebuilding Camryn's immune system. We know it's functioning, not fully, but it there. In prior blog posts, I have mentioned Camryn' warts. For those of you who have never seen them, allow me to explain. The warts on her fingers, hands, toes, and soles of her feet are extensive. She has had fingers nearly completely covered in warts, which has affected her ability to hold a pencil the proper way. Holding a pencil to write is painful for Camryn. So she adjusted her griping style in the same manner as a 3 or 4 year child grips a pencil, or a crayon. That is how Camryn writes and has written all through school. Now, back to my comments regarding the good news. Many of Camryn's warts are disappearing. They are drying up and falling off. The sole of her right foot had so many warts that over the years, they had been "flattened"from walking and the bottom of her foot looked like one huge flat wart covering the entire sole of her foot. Today, Saturday, as I type this blog, the lower 2/3rds of her foot has no warts. The only warts that remain are a few on the toes and some on the ball of her foot; that is it. Camryn had finger nails completely covered by wart overgrowth on her fingers. You can now see every fingernail, full fingernails without warts covering them. One can only imagine what this transformation, so far,  has meant to Carmryn as She has had to manage the social stigma of having visible warts, hundreds of them, since she was four years old. Mentally, she has become one tough kid, privately managing very difficult situations, especially at school and other public areas. Camryn has been blessed to have great teachers at school who have helped her to manage things and have been supportive when she not needed intervention. Results like this, is what we had hoped for. We hope that all those pesky little critter warts just keep dropping off her fingers, toes, and feet. Camryn received her "new" face last summer with the laser surgery to remove those warts. Maybe this summer she gets "new" fingers, toes, and feet. I think a wart "permanently going away party" would be an appropriate celebration for Camryn months down the road with the continuation of these stunning early results. Victories like these, make all the struggles with taking pills worth the effort, essentially a two hour ordeal, every morning and very night. One battle at a time, one battle at a time...

Camryn and Jaime Shae

Camryn and Morgan

Just Camryn

 Camryn insisted that these pictures be taken with only a headband on her head; no beanie or bandanna to cover her fuzzy bald head. In her own words, "this is who I am".

Forever Changed / Forever Touched

Friday - Monday, July 18th - 21st

Camryn has made significant progress the last few days; coming home has tremendously boosted her spirits...and ours. With all of our children at home now, we are somewhat short on beds having turned one of the bedrooms into "mom's craft room" with the marriage and departure of Casey. Had we known that ALL of the chicks wanted to return to the nest this summer, we would have delayed creating "mom's craft room". Nonetheless, we are happy they have been here because their help through all of this has been invaluable. With all that being said, Camryn is staying in Morgan's room (18 year old daughter- the donor) and sharing Morgan's queen bed. Last night, actually it was 2:00 am, they were both still up talking and laughing. Under any other circumstances such an incident would have warranted an angry parental response, but not now, not this time. Morgan is off to college in the Fall and she is creating memories for herself and her sister that will ease the pain of their separation while she is away. Lee Ann did the only thing that any caring, loving, parent would do; she quietly sneaked into the room and merely touched Morgan on the shoulder. That unexpected touch from an unknown hand in the dark elicited a scream from Morgan that would have made the Disney character Sully, from Monsters Inc., very proud.

Camryn is eating, really eating. She is active and her precious sense of humor is in full force. She is also taking her medications, ALL of them. Sometimes the "pill taking sessions" lasts up to 2 hours, but it gets done. The one drug that she absolutely has to take at a specific time, has been one of the easiest meds for her to take. She and Jaime Shae have picked up their "best buddy" relationship right where it was temporarily suspended, with Camryn's hospital admission, 35 days ago. As we, our family, have settled into our new reality of managing our lives around Camryn and the associated risks of a bone marrow transplant Camryn faces, I hear of no complaints among our children. Each, accepting the circumstances as we face them together, and adapting as necessary. Now, a point of clarification before any reader incorrectly assumes that the Rasmussen household has been transformed into the City of Enoch; not so (our house is still here as I type this blog and its not floating up to heaven), however, the usual feline fiasco that accompanies a home of five girls, has temporarily subsided, to some extent. In a sense, Camryn has brought peace to our home, and my reference is not necessarily the meaning of peace referring to silence or quietness, but rather the peace of hope, the peace of faith, the peace promised by Him in the form of the Comforter. These are some of the "intangibles" our family has been experiencing ever since Camryn's GATA2 diagnosis and being informed that a bone marrow transplant was inevitable. So many emotions, so many fears, so much emotional turmoil buried beneath the surface. We were in need of that peace. Shortly after Camryn's diagnosis, Lee Ann and I were privately discussing "the future" of Camryn, you know what I mean. We decided, we were prompted, we choose, that no matter the outcome with Camryn, we would forever be grateful for being so blessed to have Camryn with us for whatever amount of time we had her with us. In her short 11 years she had already taught us much, and we felt that that our education was not complete. So as I type tonight's blog, know this, Camryn has a long way to go to be "healed". Her progress to this point has been nothing short of a miracle. We continue to have hope, we continue to have faith, we continue to be buoyed by the prayers and the faith from all of you. You must know, they are felt by us and especially by Camryn. This experience has forever changed our lives and touched us in ways that words cannot fully express. In fact, writing this blog has been very difficult for me. By nature, I tend to be a private person. For example, I refuse to have a Facebook page because I would rather not have people "sticking their nose in my business". So what do I do? I write a blog exposing my fears, our challenges, our weaknesses, and our flaws. I don't know about you, but I hate feeling vulnerable, which is what I feel every time I write this blog (how is that for honesty). But, I do it for Camryn, I do it for family, I do it for all of you. I do this because so many people want to know of Camryn's progress. I do this because so many people have helped us during a time when we have needed it the most. I do this because so many people have wanted to help but all of our needs were being met by other people. You don't understand how many people from whom we have had to turn down help because others were already there. The compassion and love from so many people have overwhelmed us in an astonishingly way. My "hardened" heart of wanting to keep everything private was annihilated by compassion from the many. I do this because of the gratitude I feel, and what my family feels, for the love from all of you. As Camryn continues her journey of recovery, thank you for walking with us.

As we move forward with the blog, they will be written every Tuesday and Friday. The reason for that is because writing the blog will coincide with Camryn's medical appointments / check ups at Vanderbilt. The information from the blood draws of those appointments will provide a picture of Camryn's progress, and provide for additional whacky stories from the Rasmussen household, I am sure.

Coming Home Part 2: The Pictorial Account

Friday July 18th

We thought we would share this precious moment, from hospital departure to arrival home, through pictures. And no, we did not video any of this because being there and watching it live was just to precious to miss any moment in "real time".

Camryn, moments before leaving her hospital room, her home for the last 30 days.
In her arms is Boo, her stuffed animal cat.

Walking through the "forbidden zone", or the exit of the 6a unit.

Camryn, glancing back to see if security is
coming to get her before she boards the elevator to freedom.

Walking out of the hospital. Yes, its true,
you are are going home.

See you at the house!

Jaime Shae and Casey, welcoming home their sister.
(Not pictured: Sydney who is at EFY, a church camp; Morgan,
who is on a church youth trip to KY, Ohio and NY; and McKay, who was working)
Wow, check out that lawn...oops, this is supposed to be about Camryn.

Finally, Camryn at home with the "real" Boo in her arms.
Boo is thrilled to once again be carried all around the house by Camryn.

Coming Home: Part 1 The Written Account

Thursday, July 17th

What a great day, an emotional day, a very blessed day. Seeing Camryn so happy and excited was the payoff of her perseverance to do want she needed to do to go home. The morning went quickly as we packed up everything, and there was soooooo much to pack. Lee Ann had decorated the hospital room as though she were staging a home that was going on the market to sell. If you know Lee Ann, you know what I mean. But I will say this, the room did look awesome for those 30 days. Nice job babe. We also had many items to pack from well-wishers who had sent or dropped of items for Camryn to help her pass the time away during her hospital stay; those items will be put to good use again over the next six months. Once we had all of Camryn's medications, and Lee Ann had been trained on ALL of the directions for Camryn's care, since she will be the main caregiver, we were free to go. The kid was all smiles beneath that surgical mask she had to wear until we arrived home. I have to tell this story, its sad but its also so funny. As we were pulling up to the house, Casey and Jaime Shae were out on the front lawn holding holding a "welcome home" sign for Camryn. Camryn was so excited to get out of the car to hug her sisters, that I had to stop the car in the driveway because Camryn wanted to jump out. Now, keep in mind that for the last 30 days the only exercise that Camryn has had was walking the halls of the 6a unit a couple times per day, if she felt well enough to do so. Camryn attempted to immediately run full speed to her sisters which caused her to "blitz it" (trip and fall) on our aggregate driveway. You can guess what the end result was: bruised knee, bloodied toe, bloodied ankle, crying Camryn. All Lee Ann and I could think of in that moment was just how anti climatic the welcome home turned out to be, and the possibility of infection. I immediately helped Camryn into the house where she was quickly administered first aid by her paranoid parents fearing infection in the girl with the new immune system. The entire episode really was a remake of a scene from ANY of the Three Stooges movies. Once Camryn calmed down and her panicked parents calmed down, we actually had a pretty good laugh at it all, well, except for Camryn, of course.

Let me explain what life will be like for Camryn over the next 3-6 months. She is basically home bound. There will be no movie theaters, no grocery stores, no restaurants, no school, no church, no crowds, or visitors. She may go outside, but must wear a mask at all times if there are people present, such as her twice weekly trips to Vanderbilt and must keep her distance from people other than family. The routine at home will change as well. We will be washing our hands the moment any of us walk inside the house and before touching Camryn. Her immune system is "quite young" and will take time to be fully developed. Despite the list of "don'ts, Camryn can still do a lot of things, especially playing with our two cats that Camryn adores, Boo the most. Camryn is on a drug regimen that her taking about a dozen doses of oral meds per day, plus her IV which is mainly for nutrients, which really isn't too bad to manage. Camryn has done amazingly well through this entire transplant process. Today she has been as active as she ever was prior to being hospitalized. As I have said before, she is still in recovery and has a long way to go before she can be fully integrated back into society. For now though, we count our blessings, appreciating each one, and humbly recognize the source from whence they flow. More info on Sunday...

Wednesday, July 16th

Day 29 hospitalization
Day 20 post transplant

A very, very good day. Camryn has finally realized that eating will no longer cause her to vomit. She responded to that realization by eating voraciously today, finally. Also, "the pill" experiment was a success, every time today. Bottom line, Camryn comes home tomorrow, one month to the day of  being admitted to the hospital. She has been tremendously blessed in so many ways. As you can imagine, we are so excited to have her back home. However, our prayers remain for the other children who are still being treated in the 6a unit, until it's time for them to return home to their families. I will write more tomorrow concerning Camryn's return home and what all that means, because she will have major restrictions on what she can do, where she can go, and absolutely who can accompany her. Basically it's lockdown at the house, but specific details tomorrow. This particular blog is brief, we just wanted you all to know. Until tomorrow, thank you all again for your prayers and your faith, for they have had a tremendous impact for good upon our family.

Sunday - Tuesday / July 13th -15th

Days 26-28 Hospitalization
Days 17-19 Post Transplant

Sunday's elation of the possibility of Camryn coming home turned into Monday's frustration of the probability of that not happening. Camryn, still not eating, but the more pressing issue has been her inability to swallow her meds. Something so simple to most of us has become a major stumbling block for Camryn. She had a "meltdown" Monday morning, refusing to take any of her pills. Two of the tablets were crushed and placed into small capsules in an effort to make swallowing them easier. Bad idea, Camryn would have not of it. So, after an hour or two of Camy completely shutting down, we got her up for a walk through the hallways which seemed to lighten the mood of doom and we essentially decided to start over. Monday night, with Camry relaxed, she downed the pills no problem. Same thing again this morning and today. The big test comes tomorrow when she will need to take the anti rejection pill, which was supposed to occur yesterday, but was delayed because of all the trouble Camy was having. Today, Camryn has been herself; happy, funny, and talkative. She is eating, a little, and taking the pills with little trouble. She wants to come home and I think that she just placed too much pressure on herself so she shut down. Despite the bumps (hills) in the road, Camy is still on target to come home on Thursday, but tomorrow is the big test. If she struggles and we have to delay until Monday, we are ok with that because Camy taking her meds are far too important not to get it right. We remain hopeful and encouraging to Camryn, but will support the docs decision. We are hoping tomorrow will be a repeat of today. By the way, for the first time since Camryn's hospitalization, she was allowed outside. The 6th floor has a private play area outside of the unit, literally outside. Camyrn was so happy to breathe the air (with her surgical mask on) and enjoy being a kid again. I have posted pictures below.

"Smiley Eyes" and Mom

Fun in the craft room

Ahhhh, to be outside!

"Please please please take your medications"

"I am soooo exhausted"

Thursday - Saturday / July 10-12

Days 23-25 Hospitalization
Days 14-16 Post Transplant

As I share this particular post with you, which will contain some exceptional news, I want to discuss Camryn's relationship with her sisters, particularly with Jaime Shae, Camryn's 10 year old sister. These two have forever been "best buddies". At home they share a bedroom with two twin beds. Every night, and I mean every night, at bed time, each bed will have one child in it. Yet, come morning, one bed will be empty and two bodies will found occupying one bed. This has been their life and connection together for as long as Lee Ann and I can remember. One can imagine the disruption of this particular family dynamic with the hospitalization of Camryn. Lee Ann and I discussed "plans" for Jaime Shae to help alleviate her loneliness. However, we really have not needed to do much because many of our ward (church congregation) friends have taken Jaime Shae for a day to spend time with their children or other children to help keep her occupied. This has been a tremendous blessing to us and to Jaime Shae. Only yesterday, for the first time, Jaime Shae asked me, with those sad lonesome, eyes (which is an absolute killer for a parent) when Camryn was coming home.  The look on her face as she asked me the question, was an essay written to Camryn of their friendship and love for each other. Keeping my own emotions in-check to answer her question, was difficult, to say the least. But the only answer I could give was that she has made it through nearly four weeks without Camy, and she had only two more to go, which Jaime Shae begrudgingly accepted. Now, Jaime Shae's other older sisters have certainly been a help in "occupying" her time, but it's not the same as spending time with her buddy. So, why this mini dissertation regarding the dynamics within the Rasmussen family? Ironic you should ask. We were informed yesterday, that the transplant team has targeted Thursday as Camryn's discharge day; if all goes well the next four days, she's coming home. Now, before we all breakout the parade gear, fireworks, streamers, etc, etc., Camryn, needs to eat and to drink regularly and must be able to take her meds orally, which has been a struggle. If Camy does come home on Thursday, she will be about 8 days ahead of schedule, which is remarkable to us.  The reason for that is because Camryn's immune system is rapidly firing up. Apparently, Morgan has an immune system with "attitude", it functions as though it's the Queen Bee in the hive, and now THAT immune system is Camryn's. Her critical cell counts are continuing to climb and hitting their target growth goals. Also, Morgan's donated marrow has found its home inside Camryn's bones and is producing NK cells, the critical defense system Camryn's body has lacked since she was born. In two weeks a closer analysis of Camryn's blood draw will occur and we will know then how well the "grafting" process has gone. The goal is to see 98%+ of of the blood to be Morgan's. One other interesting note, something completely unexpected is occurring. Camryn's warts, the blessing in disguise, are appearing to "dry up". Many, like "witchy poo", are suddenly dropping off, or turning black and disappearing. Medically, this was not expected to occur for some time. Obviously, our hope is that this trend continues, but regardless, the evidence is clear; Camryn now has a functioning immune system (Thank you for sharing Morgan). It's a young and still growing immune system that will take months to be fully functional and serious precautions still must be taken once Camryn returns home. For now though, the next four days are focused on getting Camryn eating, drinking fluids, and taking her oral meds with little trouble, which today (Saturday) we have seen progress. Camryn is motivated, she wants to come home. Now, Thursday's decision is completely in her hands. Come on Camy, you can do it, we want to take you home!

Monday - Wednesday July 7-9

Days 11-13 Post Transplant
Days 20-22 Hospitalization

Much has occurred the last three days, so let me catch you up on a few things. With Morgan turning 18 and McKay's return home from Singapore, Lee Ann, Casey, and I have gotten some help with duty stay at the hospital, including overnights. Since Camryn is still on intravenous feeding, she urinates constantly including all night which kills any chance of a decent night's sleep, not that I am complaining. Camryn's health has been good, except she really has not eaten much and her fever spiked a little last night. What's left of her hair has continued to fall out. Dr. Frangoul told Camryn yesterday (Tuesday) that she needs to start eating normally before she can return home. Apparently, that strategy worked because Camryn has been throwing down the food today. Also, we received word that Camryn's white blood cell count is climbing, the best news yet. Her spike in a fever last night worried us a little bit until it was explained  to us that Camryn's rise in temperature's was a natural reaction by her new immune system attempting to " jump start" itself. Woo Hoo!! Baby steps, but they are steps forward.

Today, Camryn made a landmark decision, she told Lee Ann to cut off all of her remaining hair. So, Camryn is officially bald, except for some "peach fuzz", and has courageously accepted her situation. Now, she looks just like nearly every kid in the myelosuppression unit and she is quite comfortable with her new look. We have posted some pictures below, with Camryn's permission, of course. Tomorrow, we are supposed to find out more information about Camryn's blood, or hopefully, Morgan's blood being produced by her own bone marrow inside of Camryn. This what we have been waiting for. Stay tuned...

Love the scarf look, with scraggly hair

Camryn with "Sally", her
constant life saving companion

Camryn's look after the hair trimming. Those dark eyebrows are ligit folks. Bald IS beautiful!

Morgan's "beach" artwork of herself (dark hair)
Savannah (a little bit of blond hair), who also is 11
Years old and she is being treated for cancer,
And Camryn, the bald one.
Picasso lives.

Everything is fine 7/9/14 More info tonight.

A quick note to all, apparently some angst among the followers of Camry's Journey for my late post. Camryn is doing fine. I have not written a post since Sunday because things have been a little on the hectic side for our family, not so much related to Camryn. My apologies to all! The new post will be written tonight, a full update along with some new pictures. I promise, tonight. Thank you all for caring so much about Camryn.
Greg

Saturday / Sunday July 5-6

Days 18-19 Hospitalization
Days 9-10 Post Transplant

Saturday

Camryn had a rough start to the day. More sores are forming in her throat making swallowing very painful. This was the first time she had tears from the pain. Made me hurt too. She was given pain meds which helped but made her sleep. Once the pain subsided Camy was very active and her normal happy self. We did plenty of walking around the unit today. The docs continue to reaffirm how well she is doing, despite the throat sores.   Early next week we will be receiving her first "labs" from the blood. The docs want to see "Morgan's" blood under the microscope, meaning that bone marrow has found its home and is beginning to function properly. So far, no signs of rejection, but that could be masked by the meds. Still, everything is on course as it should be. Oh yea, we received permission from the transplant team to allow McKay access to Camryn inside the unit. So, today they spent sometime together. Happy girl, happy McKay.

Sunday

Camryn had a decent night's rest. She still needs to urinate about 3-4 per night (more times during the day) because of all the intravenous fluids she is receiving. Camryn has become very comfortable with her hair loss, at least among family members and those who "live" in the 6a unit. She says that she looks like Gollum (the hairless creature from The Lord of the Rings or Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter). You have to appreciate her self-deprecating humor. She slept most of the day today, again, probably the pain meds. Her mood has been very good today, when awake. Still not eating much, a little ice cream and snow cones. At least it's something and we are happy for that.

Thursday / Friday July 3-4

Days 16-17 Hospitalization
Days 7-8 Post Transplant

Thursday 
As if we don't have enough activities to juggle around our house, we have added McKay's return home from the Singapore Mission this afternoon, and celebrated Morgan's 18th birthday. The day was a great day, to have McKay home again, if but for only six weeks until he returns to school at BYU. Also, Morgan turning 18 reminds me that she too, will be off the school at BYU-I this January. To add to this controlled chaos, Casey's husband, Kory, flew in to stay for the weekend, and to meet McKay for the first time. But this blog is not about them, except partly Morgan, so I will return to the primary subject. For the first time since her hospitalization, Camryn did not have a family member with her at the hospital. One of our dear friends offered to stay with Camy while the family went to the airport to welcome home McKay. Our friend stayed with Camy from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm today. We could not have done this day without her help. These are the times where simple service such as this, has far more meaning to those receiving it, than those who provide it. Lee Ann's family and my family are 1,800 miles away. While they would prefer to be helping us, it's just not possible at this time. Their support has come to us in so many other ways. Camryn did great without a family member with her, but became somewhat inpatient as the day wore on, wondering if we had forgotten about her. Of course we had not forgotten her, but Camryn felt that way because her anxieties were heightened since her hair began falling out in clumps overnight and earlier this morning. Of all days to have the hair loss hit with full force, today was the least convenient day, if there is such a thing, for this to occur. Lee Ann and I felt as though we both were juggling 16 balls in the air today, not complaining, just a lot to manage in a day. Being 18 years old, Morgan met the criteria for spending the night with Camryn at the hospital, so she went with Lee Ann to provide support to her little sister who was distraught over losing her hair.

Friday
This morning, Lee Ann sent me some pictures of Camryn. I was a little shocked at just how much hair Camryn had lost in a matter of 24 hours. I am with her tonight at the hospital, and I have to tell you, the girl is handling it all better than I ever thought she would. As part of Camryn's daily routine, she needs to leave her room and walk the halls of the 6a unit, just to keep patients somewhat active which aids recovery time. Before we left the room, I asked Camy if she wanted to wear one of the bandanna we got for her to wear on her head to conceal the hair loss. Camy declined, so off we went. Not once did Camryn display any hint of self-consciousness despite her being seen by people. She has quickly accepted her circumstance and realizes that her hair will grow back. I could not help but appreciate her courage, a trait that certainly is not new to Camryn. Despite the hair loss, Camryn is doing so well; physically, emotionally, and mentally. I forgot to mention a precious moment from yesterday. After we welcomed home McKay at the airport, we drove to Vanderbilt and took McKay up to the 6th floor to myelosuppression unit. He stood outside the doors looking through the window. McKay will not be allowed inside the unit for at least a few more days. Our friend, Jessica, who was staying with Camryn, walked her to the unit doors (opposite side of McKay) where she peeked through the window to see McKay, who she had not seen in two years. To see her little eyes sparkle was as she watched her brother wave to her through the door windows, was just priceless. Next week, Camy will be able to run to his arms and hug him, a reunion worth waiting for.

Tuesday / Wednesday July 1-2

Day 15-16 Hospitalization / Day4-5 Post Transplant

Tuesday

Health wise, this was one of Camryn's best days during her hospitalization. She finally ate some food (enchilada, because that is what she felt like eating) and had something to drink. She was as active as we have ever seen her; talking, walking, playing and just being Camy. She had another chest X-ray this morning and she is all clear of the "air bubble". Being on oxygen certainly did the job, and thus helping  her to avoid "the needle". This evening, Dr. Frangoul mentioned that Camryn is responding as well as any transplant patient he has treated. Morgan continues to improve as well, She is walking normally, but limps when she knows that I am watching her. It's her birthday on Thursday and I do believe that she is playing the sympathy card in hopes that the "bank of dad" will open its doors wide open.

Wednesday

Another good day for Camryn, except for one thing…her hair. Today the hair loss officially began. Tonight I could see plenty of it on her pillow and sheets. She is taking it all in with grace and dignity, at least as well as an 11 year old can. The hair loss will only get worse in the days to come as I mentioned before, Camryn will choose how she wants to manage the situation. Camryn ate some food again today. The more she eats the quicker she can get off intravenous feeding. Morgan spent almost all day with her in the unit playing games and making crafts. Morgan and Camryn met another 11 year old girl in the unit today, she is being treated for cancer. She is alone, some unfortunate family circumstances. So Morgan spent the day with her too, racing around on those "turtles"all throughout the 6a unit. Morgan has always had a tender heart for anyone or anything (animal) in need, especially for an 11 year old girl, like her sister, who just needed a friend.