Morgan Donato’s Blog

I was a public school kid, and I think I turned out - OK, so I have always been a huge advocate for the public school system.  Due to some timing issues with Morgan, she did end up going to a private school.  It was a decision we really thought about, because let’s face it - [...]

Sorry I haven’t typed in a while.  Morgan started back to school this week.  It is amazing to see her at school with her friends.  It really does bring her spirits up and I think makes her stronger.
Ms. Stein at Friends Select told me yesterday that she observed a few first graders in the hall who [...]

So I thought we were in the hospital until Friday, I was wrong.  What they said was that we would be in the hospital up to 5 days, or until Morgan emptied her system of the methatrexate (chemo cocktail) out of her system.  As of 10am this morning she has, so we’re packed and waiting [...]

I think that Morgan forgets that she has cancer, and that the hospital is a time for healing.  To my 7-year old, this seems to mean another word for PLAYTIME.  Morgan gets to sleep in a reclining type bed, I sleep on a “ouch”, I mean couch.  Morgan’s medicine menagerie kept beeping every 20 minutes last [...]

Back in the hospital for our next round of chemo to keep Morgan in remission to prepare for the bone marrow transplant.  We are in the south Wing, which I have dubbed the “W” hotel, versus last chemo treatment we were in HoJo’s.  If you visited us, you understand…in a hospital room, size does matter!
We [...]

Since hearing the news that Morgan did not respond to the “normal” treatment plan, we have been in a holding pattern - holding our breath. Morgan did well with the bone marrow aspiration.  She woke up ready to go to Longhorn for some mashed potatoes and steak.  Her appetite is almost non-existent, so when she [...]

Many of you have asked how you can help Morgan by becoming a Bone Marrow Donor.  We want everyone to know that the tremendous amount of caring, and support that you have all provided is truly humbling.
In these past few months we have learned a lot about Leukemia, and the need for many, many, many [...]

One step back, then one step forward.  We were released last night from the hospital because Morgan rebounded very quickly…GOOOOOOO Morgan!  We went into the hospital with an ANC (our immune counter) of 8 - you and me have about 1500 - 2000. So, not good.  Monday morning she was up to 256, which for [...]

Unfortunately it is not the internet I am talking about.  Morgan’s counts were low this week, and with a virus going around, sure enough, we caught it.  Morgan stayed home from school on Tuesday because of a “feeling” I had, and sure enough, kids were sick at school that day.  Wednesday we woke up late, [...]

We had our weekly CBC tests today.  Her counts are low, so we need to be extra careful with the hazards of the common cold and the flu.  So, please do not take offense if Morgan asks that you not touch her after you cough, she is just trying to stay out of the hospital [...]