Day +33 - One third of the way back to Phoenix

Lyla's warrior spirit is shining through again! After a long first week out of the hospital and wondering if we could survive the next two months, Lyla slept so much last weekend and woke up a new baby!! She started eating more, playing lots, and babbling again. We knew straight away these were all signs she was feeling better! And, it was certainly confirmed at her Monday appointment with her head transplant Doctor....
In just a few days Lyla's white blood cells doubled, her formula intake doubled and her red cells and platelets all increased on their own! The doctors were once again amazed at our little warrior princess! Her cell counts are remarkable because Lyla is off the drug which promotes cell growth and her white blood cells are already 50% of what they were prior to transplant! She also hasn't needed red cell or platelet transfusions since day 12 which is nearly unheard of! She's also eating enough that she was taken off of TPN (IV nutrition) which makes all our lives so much easier. Plus, she's doing so well that her meds were cut in half and she's had no infections or major problems! To help give perspective, there are a few other kids here at a similar transplant stage as Lyla and they have all been readmitted to the hospital within the first two weeks of leaving.
Lyla is not without her own little issues but they seem to be pretty minor...She is covered in various rashes and skin irritations. They are head to toe and each area is slightly different which is a bit perplexing. The main issue with rashes (besides annoying itching) is they can be the first signs of GVHD (graft versus host disease or the donor cells attacking Lyla's cells). Although Lyla's white cells are 100% donor (think soldiers that attack infections), her T and B cells are only 33% donor (think sergeants that give orders to white cells and provide immunity to diseases). The low percentage for T and B is ok with Lyla's disease because the white cells provide the enzyme Lyla is missing and are the key indicator the transplant worked. But, the two teams are still mixing and could attack each other. The doctors don't think Lyla has GVHD, but started her on a full body steroid cream just in case. It will hopefully clear up the rash and give all of us comfort. The rashes and skin irritation are also a late impact of chemo, might be a drug allergy and can be greater due to her fair British skin!
In other news, Lyla had a heart echo (ultrasound) this week and all looks good! She also had a development assessment and her fine and gross motor skills are within a few months of her age which is amazing given her disease and the time she spent in a hospital crib. In fact, Lyla took her first steps using a baby walker this week!! She's like Bambi on ice but she was so excited and it was such a happy and proud momma moment!! She turns one on September 3rd so maybe she will walk before her first birthday?!!! 
So for now, we are going to keep Lyla's rashes under control, keep her infection free by staying in our Ronald room, get her walking, and hope her white cells keep growing! #growcellsgrow