Discharge day is always an excuse for celebration. We’re going home this afternoon.
Maggie’s chemo infusion was completed yesterday around noon. Her team decided she needed to be changed from PCA to oral pain meds and monitored overnight to ensure no interruption in pain management. She rested well without discomfort. She did spike a borderline temp – almost 101. The fever quickly resolved without medicine and counts look good (blood and liver), so no further monitoring or action is required now. We’ll go home to rest better with Molly returning from Orlando tomorrow and the pups coming home from the kennel. My bed is calling, too. (On that subject: we heard the news that Batson is upgrading at the end of July to the sleeper sofas we “enjoyed” at UAB. We’ll be some of the first patient families to break these in since we’ll be staying every two weeks for several nights at a stretch. I’m looking forward to this. I’ll get to put the mattress topper back into retirement)
We’ve heard from the OnePraise team in Orlando. They are working today at Give Kids the World – the village used by Make-A-Wish and other wish organization for the kids who select Disney/Universal for their wish experience. It is a highlight of the trip each year. They also spent Sunday morning and night leading in worship at the Greater Orlando Rescue Mission. This is the fifth or sixth year the group has done this. The wonderful staff and residents have followed Maggie’s journey from the start. Sunday night, one of the men’s center residents introduced himself to Molly and told her he had been praying regularly for Maggie for two years. How sweet is that? The men’s center is an incredible ministry to Orlando residents who literally live on the streets. They find a safe place to sleep, food, and a life-changing love. They shared this year that the Orlando Magic purchased the mission’s existing (very old) facilities allowing them to move to a new place and double their capacity. God is good.
As for as Maggie’s treatment: we scrambled yesterday to get MD Anderson to overnight Maggie’s CT scan disk to Batson so they have the most recent scan to serve as comparison for the CT performed here Friday. I had our MDA team PA working on her end (cutting through deep layers of bureaucracy) to help us expedite and Janie in the CCC on this end. I got word a few minutes ago that the CD made it and is in the right hands. Maggie’s case will now be discussed at tumor board this Wednesday. This allows all angles of her case to be studied by all interested disciplines to keep us moving in the right direction to offer the best care to our girl.
In a way only God can work, we’ve been able to find joy in an unlikely place during a trying time. We’ve had a four day reunion with nurses, doctors and staff who have known Maggie from the beginning of her treatment. We’ve heard from others not present at the moment. We’ve been contacted by many and had visits from old and new friends. Phil was able to turn a painful situation into sunshine: one two year old patient was inconsolable during the absence of his mother. Busy nurses tried to keep him happy, but they’re busy. As Maggie and I grew quite exasperated with the noise, Phil decided to do something else. He spent time pulling the little guy around in a wagon, making countless trips around the 3C with IV pole in hand. And the little guy was happy, pausing at open doors to say, “Hey!” For Phil, compassion is always a verb. I’ve included a photo of him in action, loving with action. I wish I could include a shot of his friend – thanks, HIPPA. 
We’ll rest at home and pray for controlled pain, few side effects (we’ve been pleasantly surprised at the relatively light side effects so far), and no fevers indicating other issues. Maggie’s team said it can take up to two weeks for chemo to begin its work of shrinking tumors. The pain may continue until enough shrinkage occurs to allow relief. She’ll remain on constant pain med dosage in the meantime. We’ll have counts performed next Monday at the clinic and gear up for chemo round two on July 10th. We anticipate this to be our regular pattern for a while.
Thank you for prayers and support during these challenging days. We appreciate and love you!
Continued prayers……and way to go Phil…..I bet a lot of people were thankful ?
Praying continually.
That is such a great act of kindness❤️??
So happy you’re heading home. Continuing to pray for healing and relief from pain. Love to you all❤️❤️❤️??????
Phil is a trooper.
Praying
Glad the new plan is under way. Praying for quick tumor shrinkage!
Good for Phil seeiing a need and filling it. Thankful for this good Maggie report. Praying!
Did I tell you Cindy Rush is my long time friend. I knew her when her boys were preschoolers and when Claire wasn’t even a twinkle in Rhett’s eye. Great folks.
Thank you Beth for being a faithful prayer warrior for Team Maggie! ❤️
Rest at home…what a welcomed pleasure that will be! I will be praying that all goes well for all the Hanberrys for the next two weeks.
Proud they are upgrading from the red chair. I know we have talked about the many long nights of restless sleep that the red chair has provided. Way to go Phil. Andrea and I have talked about the children with no one, and how it breaks our hearts. Praying for you each of you daily. Thanking God that the side effects have been light. Love you guys and stay tough Maggie.
Glad y’all will be able to rest at home for awhile. Prayers will always be there. Great picture, what a blessing he was to that little boy.
What a happy post! Completely love it! Thank you for all your words…they make us hear the sounds and feel the joys…
Praying
Continuing to pray
So glad you’re home and Maggie’s doing well! It broke my heart that y’all couldn’t make the Orlando trip. I didn’t either – don’t know how they survived without us ? Praying always
That Phil is amazing. Glad things are settling down and getting to go home. Prayers….
How precious is that pic!!! We were so thrilled to meet up with y’all as you headed home and we headed to Jackson!!! Praying for Maggie’s healing and relief of any pain or discomfort!!! Much love and many prayers!!!
Go Phill!!! The baby whisperer! What a sweet gift of time that benefitted so many on 3C!
Just to let you all know your family is an inspiration to me . Maggie is a true Hero-her faith is unbelievable. She is prayed for daily in our home.