EBV and Liver Numbers Down

For the 3 or 4 of you waiting with bated breath for my little updates, I thought you'd like to know that Shayna's EBV numbers went from 270,000 last Wednesday to 99,000 this Wednesday.  We only started the Valcyte (antiviral) Monday evening so I don't know if that's the reason it's down or if it's another reason.  I'm just very happy they're down and I hope they'll keep going that way.  On the other amazing side of having another person's liver, her liver numbers are down which hopefully means the rejection is also getting under control.  Since I've only seen the number and not actually talked with anyone, I'm hesitant to get too excited until I see what next Wednesday's lab results will be and have the verdict verbally confirmed by our nurse coordinator.

We are thoroughly enjoying Grandma Melinda's visit with lots of activities and a constant play buddy for the baby.  Shayna is taking longer and longer unassisted walks to wonderful things like hats and balls.  I even think she's starting to say ball.  Nahum probably cried himself to sleep in Israel because he misses Shayna so much.  He's visiting his family, and a couple colleagues, for a week and will be home Thursday.  I am doing well.  I got to swim with my friend Leslie today and do some plant/garden shopping with Melinda and Shayna.  

Strawberry-Valcyte Ice Cream

Shayna's EBV blood level jumped in the 5 days she was on the steroid Prenisone so our newest nasty tasting medicine is a last ditch effort to keep the EBV from attaching her liver since her body already is doing a little of that.  Valcyte is an antiviral drug typically used to fight CMV (another common virus that can cause some trouble with transplant patients) in some transplant patients; though, it is an off-label use for liver transplant patients.  Since we are currently dealing with a little Mild rejection so have to suppress her immune system, we also have to help her immune system deal with the EBV. While all this is a bit scary and overwhelming, it's nothing the Pittsburgh transplant team hasn't dealt with before.  It also strickly manifests itself on the lab level only so Shayna is still growing and developing with no signs of any issues.

In fact, we had a major development milestone yesterday.  Shayna strung several steps together a few times and even kicked her purple ball on one of her walks.  She was showing off for her physical therapist I think as she usually like to do firsts with an audience if she can get one.  She also discovered the joys of doors and draws Sunday (and I forgot to get cabinet locks on my shopping trip yesterday).  The only thing left is climbing and then nothing in the house will be safe.  It is truly a joy to be in this position with Shayna.  Watching her thrive and grow brings Nahum and I such pleasure that the extra work is actually fun.

With all her new talents, I don't think she's quite ready for a spoon.  I let her feed herself yogurt & kix Sunday.  The spoon was quickly abandoned; though, she did have fun trying a few times.

She weighed in at 8.46kg (18lb10.5oz) last Saturday.  That's a 140g gain in one week (5oz)!  Since today is her monthiversary, I'll check her height on the back of the door after her nap when I can get some help.  14-months-old today!