We are now 4 for 4 in our post-radiation chemotherapy cycles.  Like clockwork, Ethan became neutropenic on Wednesday and we were re-admitted to INOVA Fairfax by early Friday morning.  He woke up and his temperature was 104.0 under his arm...  at least that's when the thermometer fell out of his arm and turned off... I'm scared to think about whether it was actually any higher. 

We arrived at the hospital by 8:00 am and they immediately drew blood cultures and began antibiotics.  The fever persisted most of Friday and even brought on very short-lived episode of hallucinations that afternoon.  He remained stable and symptom free all day Saturday, which made me feel comfortable enough to go home and allow my father to stay with him... something that both he and Ethan had been requesting for some time.  They seemed to have had a great time together during their little sleep over. 

For the 4th month in a row, none of the cultures have grown - meaning that he probably does not have a bacterial infection.  We're certainly relieved, if not puzzled by our good fortune. 

Ethan was discharged at 4:00 this afternoon and enjoyed what was left of the nice day.  He missed his friend, Cheyenne's birthday party, but was elated to find a very generous portion of birthday cake waiting for him on our doorstep when we arrived home.  It's funny how quickly we welcomed cake again.  :-)

Our other good news is that our little friend in the PICU is doing great.  Last week was very dark and difficult for her whole family, but she's a fighter.  They expect to step her down to the Peds Oncology floor by Tuesday and send her home possibly within another week or two.  I was wonderful news and can't begin to describe how nice it was to see her mom smile again.