We had our first visit to the HIV clinic today.  Leah seemed to really like Linda (the NP) and didn't have the melt down she had at the pediatrician last week.  Phew!  The exam was pretty much what we expected and then we were off to "give" eight vials (or nine?) of blood.  Oy vey....  Leah did great.  Really great.  I think she was mostly upset about having her arm tied down so she couldn't move around.  Such a two-year old reaction.  Ha. 
This afternoon, during VegeTales Live, I got calls from Linda -- on cell, at home, and on my blackberry.  Uh oh.  I was immediately concerned.  I called Linda; then paged her.  Turns out a lot of Leah's blood work was back and there was something to discuss.  (sigh)  Most of her blood looks good.  Her CD4 count is high (good) and it does not appear she has had Hep A, B or C.  Yay!  Her liver and kidney function look good and all around, things were positive.  But (BUT!!!) her white cell count is low.  Dangerously low.  Linda called to tell me that if she starts acting sick or gets a fever -- any fever -- it's off to the ER for us.  She will have to be hospitalized.
After asking a dozen questions, I hung up and started thinking about how to keep my girl well, particularly since we are back on a plane on Sunday for Florida.  This trip has been planned since, oh, about March, to celebrate my, um, big year.  :)  My sister, one of my brothers and my parents are all going.  We leave early Sunday and I'm SO excited.  Lord willing, we will be able to go on Sunday as planned.  But will you pray for us?  Will you pray for Leah?  That the germs would stay away and (more importantly) that her white cell count would go up.  Way up into normal ranges again.  We are going to retest again in Florida on Tuesday and by then, we pray, we'll be "normal." :)
Hearing this news was a bummer.  And a snap back into reality that my baby is not 100%.  It has been easy for me to pretend that she is completely healthy and normal.  But she's not.  Maybe I needed this reminder to be more fervent in my prayers and more persistent in my petitions on her behalf.  After talking to Linda, I clung to my girl and wanted to hold her tight and protect her and shelter her from life.  She's my sweet baby. 
Heavenly Father, I ask in Jesus' name that You heal Leah Grace from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet.  I pray that you would protect her from all infection and keep her well.  Let our trip to Florida be fun and relaxing and safe for the entire family.  God I thank You for calling me to bring Leah home.  Thank You for being real in my life and for using me for Your purposes.  I'm humbled by Your goodness and mercy.  I love You.  Amen.