1/9/08 Update

Dr Zapata Called today. Ashlyne's labs from Monday came in and her CBC (blood count) and liver tox levels came back within normal levels. Dr Z is still perplexed in Ashlyne's 6mp levels changing so much. At this time we will continue to taper Ashlyne off the prednisone, starting tomorrow Ashlyne will start on Budesonide, the steriod that is not absorbed like prednisone and is supposed to not bring on so many of the systemic side affects that Ash is being haunted with. Dr Z does not want to wait until she is off the prednisone, last time Ash went off the prednisone within a few days her symptoms started coming back, pain, blood etc. Dr Z wants to be sure she is covered with a steriod and there is no lapse in that treatment. The rest of Ashlyne's medication will remain the same. Ashlyne will remain on her 60% elemental liquid diet. Dr Z says he will most likely keep her on the diet until she has been symptom free for at least 2 months following the last time she takes the prednisone. Right now the soonest her diet will change is the first of April. As you can imagine Ash is not happy about that, she wants fruit sooo bad.

Ashlyne had a tough day today, she was made fun of by a boy, not terribly, she said it was more the way he said it than anything. We knew it was only a matter of time and have been so thankful that she has been left alone. Still it really heart her feelings and triggered a lot of emotions. Then top it off with her diet news. We talked thru it and she is doing just fine now. Continue to keep her in your prayers and ask for a hedge of protection be put around her when she is at school and that this was an isolated incident and not the beginnings of something.

Please pray for the insurance to come thru with payment for her supplements, we still do not have news that they will cover it. This new medication is extremly expensive, and both families could use the financial relief of insurance coverage.

Wendy