Here is a post/update, written by Dru's friend Holly (who spoke with Dru, aka "Andy" yesterday at lunchtime)...

Hey,

I spoke with Andy during lunch today. He has a cold, so he stayed home from the hospital as to not contaminate Peyton's weakened immune system. He doesn't sound too well, but he assures me that he doesn't feel as bad as he sounds. I have to wonder if a part of his illness is due to stress. It's good that Krissy can still continue to go to the hospital and to be by Peyton's side.

CURRENT:
Andy says that Peyton's blast cell (leukemia) count when last tested was at 50. Her blast cell count was around 70,000 when she was born. The doctors will consider her in remission when her blast cell count is at 0. She just had 2 "off-of-chemo" days and may restart treatment today. The doctors are constantly monitoring her blood and organs to determine if her system can handle another course of treatment. Some days she may have a full-dose of chemo and others she may have half or quarter-treatments. Andy says that Peyton has a few nasty bruises:
- 1 on her arm/hand from a missed IV attempt
- 1 on her leg from the Vitamin K shot she received when she was born, and
- 1 on her eye-lid.

TYPICAL DAYS
On most days, Andy and Krissy arrive at the hospital between 10a-11a and don't leave until 10p-midnight. While they are allowed to stay at the hospital overnight, they have opted to make the 40-minute drive to their home in Burlington to shower and rejuvenate for the next day. He says that most days are filled with holding Peyton, feeding her, and changing diapers. Peyton has a port-like device (Andy has a fancy medical brand name for it) that was inserted into her chest that the doctors use for medicine and fluids, because IVs are not meant for permanent use.

FUTURE
Andy remains very optimistic and says Peyton will be in the hospital for her first 3-6 months, and if all goes well, maybe she will be allowed to go home for 1 or 2 days at at time.
Andy and Krissy received a print-out of doctor's "plan" for Peyton's treatment yesterday, which they previously didn't have.

Added by Kate.....In addition, Peyton will need a possible stem cell transplant after she is in the first stage of remission (M1) to prevent a relapse (which usually occurs during the first 6-12 months), so this would likely be done soon after she enters M1 remission.

For ways in which we can all help Dru, Krissy and Peyton, please click on the following link:

http://welovepeyton.blogspot.com/2008/09/peyton-was-born-on-thursday-september-4.html