Home...again...

Caroline has been able to remain fever-free for 24 hours, and her blood cultures showed no growth for anything specific, so she was able to be discharged today.  The IV antibiotics for 48 hours helped significantly, and we are all glad to be together, home, and hopefully able to catch up on rest!

Thanks for you for always keeping us in your prayers,
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Good luck tonight, Preds!

HOME!

We were discharged this afternoon thanks to some expedited work by Nurse Deanna!  Caroline did require platelets and a Neupogen shot before leaving the hospital today.  Other than her regular visits to the clinic, she will be resting and recovering at home until we travel to Cincinnati for Proton Therapy.  We still don't have any details or dates for that, but expect to hear by the end of this week.

Thank you for all the prayers and support as we re-group and re-organize ourselves back in our own space for the rest of this week!

Lantz Family

#carolinestrong

#ftgf

Resting comfortably on the couch at HOME!

Progress Update

Caroline is feeling better today and has started to eat and drink a little bit!  The clogged line issue from the weekend has been resolved without any surgical procedures, and her oxygen levels and blood pressure are back to normal.  We hope that she can be discharged within the next few days.  When she is allowed to go home, she will leave with a daily IV antibiotic that we will administer at home, through her central line, that runs for 14 days to ensure the infection is completely gone.

We have confirmation that Cincinnati Children's Hospital has received her transfer records, and we expect to hear from them later this week to schedule her Proton therapy.

Thank you for you all the vigilant prayers, especially during this scary ICU/infection experience.  We are also beyond thankful for the generosity that we've received in Paypal donations for the upcoming travel expenses.

So much appreciation,
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Trying some "real" food last night!

Art with Aunt Joanna is the best!  Grumpy Cat and "Grumpy Caroline!"

Back on Oncology Floor

Caroline was moved back to 6A from the ICU at 5pm today!  Her blood pressure is stable, she isn't requiring oxygen, and she is currently resting with IV fluids and pain control medication. She will start NG tube feeds tonight and hopefully start drinking water or juice again soon.  She will be tested daily via blood cultures to make sure the bacterial infection is exiting her system, which is the first step to being considered for discharge next week.

Although she's made great progress, another issue popped up right before we were being transferred out of the ICU: one side of her double lumen hickman line (central line) is clogged and not flushing at all.  We are awaiting the surgical team to assess and see if it can be fixed bedside (or magically clear up!).  We're told that these types of clogs typically are related to bacteria clinging to the inside of the line, or possibly a blood type clot/obstruction in the line.  We will keep this blog updated when we find out the actual cause and resolution.  Please pray that this can be resolved without having to replace the entire line, which would require sedation and surgery.

We are all completely zapped...mentally and physically...and need a little stretch without any more surgeries, setbacks or surprises.

Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

ICU

Caroline was moved to the ICU last night for very low blood pressure and oxygen numbers.  Her body is having a tough time fighting off multiple viral and bacterial infections.  She has a fever and pain all over her body, but mostly is complaining about her back, legs and stomach (probably from infections and counts recovering).  She is not allowed to eat or drink until her she is no longer on IV blood pressure medication (Norepinephrine). She is currently stable but not very comfortable.

We will keep everyone updated on this blog as we get more information.  Thank you in advance for the continued prayers and positive thoughts!

Team Lantz

#carolinestrong

#ftgf

Next Steps / Family Meals

Caroline's "at home break" in between treatments is coming to an end.  She will be admitted on Monday (7/16), for the second round of high-dose chemo, and a second stem cell transplant.  We expect to be inpatient at the hospital for about 4 weeks straight, most of which will just be recovery from the 4 days of high-dose chemo.  The expected side effects include: high fever, loss of appetite, mucositis, vomiting, diarrhea, possible rash, fatigue, etc.  Caroline will begin this inpatient stay on isolation and contact precautions because she is still testing positive for the "rhino virus" (aka: common cold).  It will (once again) be a very difficult stretch for Caroline, and our entire family.  Please continue to keep us in your daily prayers.

Here is the remaining approximate treatment timeline:

• Inpatient High-Dose Chemo / Stem Cell Transplant (1 month)
• Rest-at-Home Break (2-3 weeks)
• Outpatient Radiation (3 weeks)
• Inpatient and Outpatient Immunotherapy (6 months)

Assuming there are no setbacks, the above treatment plan runs through April 2019.  

We have decided to not post any at-home delivery meal train dates for the upcoming hospital stay, since most of our time will be spent at Vanderbilt.  However, if you would like to donate a meal, please click here and you will be directed to Postmates gift card page.  You can send the gift card to Margaret's email (margaretlantz@gmail.com).  It is a very convenient option for us to get dinner delivered from a restaurant close to the hospital, and saves us from eating in the limited food court all the time...

Thank you all for the continued love and support!

Lantz Crew

#carolinestrong #ftgf 

Learning how to sew with her godmother, Kathleen!

Reunited...and it feels so good...

We're all home and under one roof!!! 

Thank you for lifting up so many prayers!
Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Besties!

A Better Day / Local Fundraiser

Caroline’s fever looks like it has finally broken (hope this doesn't jinx it!)!  She has been fever-free since 7am this morning, and we're so grateful for the improvement.

She does have a little fluid retention /swelling as a result of some of the treatments she's received, but it doesn't seem to be a major concern at this time.  We are also monitoring a new, mild body rash that seems to be spreading, with no clear indication of the cause (yet).  Luckily, it's not currently itching her, but it is a concern that we will monitor and hope for a resolution ASAP.

The Vandy team started Caroline back on her NG tube feeds this afternoon - she will slowly increase the dose until she is able to tolerate at least 75% of her nutritional needs; she will continue these feedings at home (whenever we get back there) until she can/does eat proper nutrition on her own. The high-dose chemo and mucositis really effected her GI tract, and she hasn't wanted to eat or drink much at all over the past few weeks.  She is also able to take her oral medications through the NG tube, which is a huge help while she's still recovering from the pain of mucositis.

We expect to be in the hospital at least a couple more days, or until she is "healthy" enough to return home.

Local Nashville friends: please click the link below to check out this awesome family fun event that Autumn Jones has put together to honor Caroline. Thank you very much, AJ, and all of the supporters!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carolinestrong-party-fundraiser-tickets-46769774655?ref=eios&aff=eios

Many Thanks!
Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Thank you for sharing your unicorn cookies, Arlie!