It has been just over one month since our last update and six weeks since Hillary last took her medicine.
I think Hillary has been gifted the miracle we’ve all been praying for, everyone.
She is doing exceptionally well with stable blood levels.
Hematologists at CHEO have been monitoring a little closer since stopping her immunosuppressive therapy — with visits every two weeks instead of monthly — and the last two blood tests showed stable levels.
With Aplastic Anemia, it’s all about the levels.
Her hemoglobin hovered at 117, 113, 118; platelets at 145, 141, 149; and neutrophils at 1.2, 1.3, 1.2. We were fully expecting to see a significant dip on at least one of the cell lines, but are beyond overjoyed to report that her levels are holding nicely — completely on their own.
I had to wait for at least two blood tests to share her progress with you.
I had to make sure there was a positive trend. Plus, things were a little shaky there for a while and… we really weren’t sure. Hillary had three virtual ER appointments in the last three weeks to address minor infections. I went from thinking she had mucor lesions in her nose from crashed neutrophils to a persistent case of impetigo, treated with prescription antibiotics.
Don’t Google it.
All three issues are resolving thanks to early intervention, her headaches are decreasing in frequency and intensity, and she is ramping up with exercise and nutrition/supplements. We feel it will take at least six months to see all of the side-effects subside as her body detoxifies from the cyclosporin. She already looks and feels different.
We continue to work hard, pray, and give thanks.
But each day is truly a mystery. Today is a headache day. We can’t ever give up.
Our gratitude for those donating blood and blood products is immeasurable. Platelet growth is a strong (if not primary) indicator of recovery with this particular blood condition. Back when she was in the very severe category (VSAA), Hillary needed platelet transfusions daily — and platelets have a short shelf life of seven days.
Local blood donors — our neighbours — literally saved Hillary’s life.
Two days before her appointment last week, a flock of 30 evening grosbeaks stopped by the backyard feeder before virtual school. It was like a flash of light. We’ve lived here for over a decade and never seen birds like this — they’re on the Ontario Species at Risk List. The bright yellow songbirds with white wing-bands sounded incredible and mingled closely with the cardinals, blue jays, and doves.
I don’t know what’s next. Auto-immune conditions such as these most often come in pairs. I’ll always be waiting for the other shoe to drop. We go back in late January for a blood test. We might even wait three months.
We might have to wait.
The grosbeaks left after her CHEO appointment and haven’t been back since.
They were a very special gift and it snowed a pretty snow while they were here and I hope they return. I wake before sunrise each day to put out fresh sunflower seeds, and I think I can hear one nearby.
Please continue to pray that Hillary is one of the lucky 30% who achieves lifelong remission from this mysterious blood condition that has taught us all so much.
I believe all of our lessons have been very different.
I hope one of them has been how great sacrifice can lead to something greater. In our case, it’s all been for Hillary’s survival.
We are extremely humbled by the support of our neighbours this Christmas. We feel safe and sheltered in Ottawa. Our hearts and minds are overloaded with gratitude for our humble home and circumstances, the nurses and doctors at CHEO who saved Hillary, the teachers and caregivers who are ever-present, and essential service heroes working similar miracles, and the turkey which will be dropped at our door on Christmas Eve by loving family.
We attend church in bed with warm cloths on heads, and sleep by the digital flickering light of our homemade Advent wreath. There is Peace, Love, and Joy here.
You have provided the Hope.
To quote Dickens’ all-too-relatable-now Tiny Tim blessing this December 23, with the utmost sincerity from our sweet Hillary to all of you:
“God bless us, every one.”
#StartWithHillary
WOO HOO!! Praise the Lord!! This is such a hopeful update!! Thank you for sharing. Gonna keep praying, won’t stop! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Hope you spoil yourself, Kelly! You certainly deserve it.
So happy to read this update – pray that the positive trend continues. Wishing your beautiful family a safe and wonderful holiday season.
So happy to hear of the happy news of Hillary and her recovery. The Lord is definitely on her side. I know it is a huge fight for you all especially so much more during this Covid pandemic.
I wish you all a very Merry and healthy Christmas and even more so for 2021 and beyond.
My heart is bursting with such good news. I will continue to pray for this to continue. Have an amazing Christmas!
Kelly you’ve written beautiful words about a complicated disease. Hillary’s up and down levels, but then your kind words about strangers and neighbours and the beautiful birds. They are a sign. This is what Christmas is all about – peace, love and joy. Merry Christmas to all of you and you are so right, God bless us everyone.
Hello Mc Kibbin Family!
Well, this is the BEST Christmas news ever! We are very happy to read about your wonderful progress so far! It’s been a long time coming but this latest news is so welcomed.
Your family has worked SO hard and made many sacrifices and these things are the results.
Thank you for the updates! We will continue to pray hard for all of you!
Have a very blessed Christmas! We are praying also for a better 2021 where we will hopefully be able to connect a little closer and HILLARY will be ever so close to being healed completely! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
SO much love flowing out to you all from the MORIERS in Winnipeg and out WEST!
God is faithful! This is the best ever! We are always praying for you Hillary! Have a very Merry Christmas! My face hurts from smiling! Love Mrs.O’Brien
What a wonderful Christmas gift – to hear such hopeful news. God bless your family with love and continued stable numbers. Give Hilary a hug to remind her that she has an army of friends and family behind her – and God bless you Kelly – you continue to amaze me and make me feel blessed for knowing you 💕
What wonderful news to learn that Hills’ levels continue to maintain that wonderful wonderful stability! May your Christmas be filled with much peace and love and a whole lot of good health!
How lovely to hear this wonderful news. And how appropriate that you wait, just as during Advent we wait in joyful hope. The prayers and good wishes will continue and accompany your family in your loving home. Joyeux Noël! Amitié, Simone
Great to hear some more positive news! Prayers will continue.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and I hope a healthy new year for all of you!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
You definitely brought tears to my eyes, happy ones! That is the best news ever!
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Enjoy the peace and love this season and know you are all in my prayers every day.
“Don’t serve God out of force or design or guilt. Serve him out of delight and gratitude. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you’ve been given – in other words, what God put you on Earth to do.” I read this quote and instantly thought of you and your family.
You have all faced the darkest of days, yet instead of asking why us, you asked how we can contribute, educate, and help others like Hillary?
Your family is a beacon of light and is a wonderful role model of how we, too, can embrace faith and ask – ” how can I help?” God Bless you and Merry Christmas.
May God continue to Bless you Hillary and family 🙏