After 17 long challenging days, Lexe was released from the Intensive Care Unit last Sunday.  We are grateful for the wonderfully skilled providers who attended to Lexe during her stay.  Lexe has little recollection of her stay in the ICU which is a good thing.   Lexe was transferred back to the regular cancer unit where she spent Sunday night.  After meeting with her Oncologists on Monday, Lexe was sent home.  It is amazing that she does not need oxygen given the shape her lungs are in.  Lexe is doing her part to fight through this setback.  She is weak and somewhat frail but we are so glad she is home.  Everything Lexe does takes a lot of effort including walking, stairs, eating etc.

Lexe's third round welcome home sign

It has been decided that Lexe will start her 4th and final round of chemo next Monday.  She will have another bone marrow aspirate and spinal tap followed by the start of a six day chemo cycle.  We are all very nervous given the events of the last several weeks.  We are trying really hard to get Lexe to eat and have till Monday to get some of her weight back.  Lexe will be followed by the Pulmonary team over the remainder of her treatment.  They want to baseline her pulmonary abilities once she is strong enough to take the Pulmonary Function Test.  Lexe will need to perform regular lung exercises for the foreseeable future.  In order to minimize complications during round four, we have decided, in conjunction with Lexe's physicians, to limit Lexe's exposure to visitors.  This was a difficult yet necessary decision.  We encourage all of Lexe's support group to continue to stay in touch with Lexe via texting, Facebook, Skype, phone calls, emails, or blog messaging.  This ordeal will soon be over and at some point normalcy will return!  Please keep your relationship with Lexe active!

Lisa Oyen, U of A soccer coach, forwarded to us a great picture last week.  The team is wearing a special warm up top this year in honor of Lexe.  Every warm up jersey will be number 13, Lexe's number.  The girls have all reached out to Lexe via texts, Facebook or letters.  Even though we have never had the privilege of meeting many of these young ladies, they hold a special place in our hearts.  Thank you girls!!  The attached link tells the story:

http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081712aad.html

Lexe's future U of A teammates honoring her by wearing number 13 on their warmups.

Lexe's friend Ellee Duke the performer who wrote "I Came To Win --Lexe's Song", has now hosted the song on iTunes.  Ellee will soon release her first album which I believe includes "I Came To Win".  All proceeds from purchasing the single off of iTunes will go to Lexe.  We feel, as does Ellee and her family, that the song was heavenly inspired.  Ellee wrote the song April 22nd just days after Lexe's diagnosis.  Little did we know then just how true the lyrics of her song would come to be.  Thank you again Ellee for such a beautiful inspired song. Please support both Ellee and Lexe and download this great song.  The song will compliment any playlist. The attached youtube link is Ellee introducing her song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7jo9o9xoss&feature=plcp

Wish Lexe luck as she begins her fight with the FINAL ROUND!!