The Immunologist

Again... things have been so busy with little munchkin! Where does all of her energy come from?!

PROOF!!! Look at this running cutie!

So my blogging is lacking...  I think its safe to say now that Rowan is officially a wild woman,only a few posts here and there are going to make the cut!  I'll post some pictures first as a reward for reading :)

Happy 1 year Transplant Anniversary!

She LOVED riding the horse!

Helping Decorate

Noooot so excited....

Last week we visited a new dr. He is an immunologist in Austin.  Rowan has been receiving her IVIG treatments every month since July, but her numbers weren't improving, so they referred us to a new guy.  At first I was a little concerned Rowan had another "rare" something, but after the appointment, we all felt much better.

Here's the run down:
Rowan had to take the drug Rituximab to kill her immune system in June.  (This was because the autoimmune hemolytic anemia kept attacking and killing her red blood cells.  Killing her immune system was the only way to stop it) 
So, we were told her immune system would be dead for about three months.... it still hasn't "woken up".  The new immunologist said this was NOT uncommon at all for patients who received Rituximab and have had a transplant.  (Makes us feel better news) BUT the kinda bad news is her immune system might be "dead" or "asleep" for 1 to 2 years....
In the meantime Rowan has to get IVIG.  This is like a fake immune system, infused every month. 

Today we went for our first treatment at the new place... we've been doing this in Houston, but since we don't need to be seen by our liver folks anymore, it's more convenient to have this done in Austin.  Plus, it's done in the office of our new guy. 

It took 4 horrible pokes for the IV to get started.  In the past I have only allowed them to start the IV's with an ultrasound machine.... but one isn't available in the office. 

Because Ro has such crummy veins, and she is going to need these treatments for a while, we've discussed putting in a port.  Its a surgical procedure where they implant a device in the patient's chest.  Looks like a hump.  You stab a needle into the hump and it's only one stick.  Also, there is talk of doing the infusion through her thigh skin.  This would have to be done weekly, not monthly.  But she wouldn't receive a port if we went this route.  The only problem is she needs about 3 good IV treatments before we make a move one way or the other.... poor baby girl.  Today was rough, but she was a great big trooper!  I was very impressed. 

The advantage to the leg method every week is every week she would receive some immunity and have just a constant amount in her system.  The IV way she gets loaded up right after the treatment and it dies off before the next. 

On to other topics:
We visited Santa: not a fan.
We drove through the trail of lights near town: big fan of all the lights!
Potty: some days we are 2 for 3 on the pot, others 0 for 4.... we're working, she's still young
She's loving elmo and abby.

This Christmas season has been so fun for us all.  I can't wait for her to open gifts!  This is our first Christmas at home together and it has been magical-  All thanks to our Angel Donor and that Perfect LIVER!  (By the way it is still working like a champ!)