Category: 2014

A friend in need is a friend indeed…

Sunday, 14 Dec 2014

Click on Photo above to see more photos of Ella and Donna at the marathon

(1764 = ANC @ 09:52 on 08 Dec)

Ella came out for the Honolulu Marathon to cheer for her friend, Nurse Donna.

Donna was very moved to see her friend Ella and finished STRONG!

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Complete

Monday, 08 Dec 2014

(1764 = ANC @ 09:52 on 08 Dec)

…as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end.  Amen.

Ella finished the fifth and final session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase today.

After a blood draw to ensure Ella was healthy enough to recieve today’s treatment, she received doses of Vincristine and Methotrexate.

Ella is scheduled to have a week off before her next phase begins on (Monday, 22 Dec 2014).

Pictured above is Ella and Nurse Donna with Lucy and Olivia.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Week 4 of 5

Friday, 28 Nov 2014
(660 = ANC @ 07:50 on 28 Nov)
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Ella completed the fourth session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase today.

After a blood draw to ensure Ella was healthy enough to recieve today’s treatment, she was sedated in the procedure room and a spinal tap was performed in order to test the spinal fluid and infuse Methotextrate into her Central Nervous System (CNS).

Once Ella recovered from the sedation, she received doses of Vincristine and Methotrexate. The lumbar procedure and both infusions were uneventful and Ella appears to be tolerating the medicine well.

Ella is scheduled to receive fifth and final session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase in ten days (Monday, 8 Dec 2014).

Pictured above is Ella and a fellow patient.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – DELAY #3

Monday, 24 Nov 2014

(2440 = ANC @ 09:46 on 24 Nov)

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The fourth session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase was scheduled for today.

However, Ella’s Platelet count today was too low (38,000) to proceed.

So… We will return in four days (Friday, 28 Nov 2014) and try again.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Week 3 of 5

Friday, 14 Nov 2014

(1025 = ANC @ 08:46 on 14 Nov)

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;

Today’s ANC and Platelet counts were 1025 and 108,000 respectively.

High enough for Ella to receive the third of five Chemotherapy sessions she will received during this “Interim Maintenance Phase TWO”.

The next few days she will likely suffer nausea and mouth sores.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – DELAY #2

Monday, 10 Nov 2014

(2280 = ANC @ 09:04 on 10 Nov)

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Today was scheduled to be Ella’s third session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase.

Ella’s Platelet count today was too low (41,000) to proceed.

So… We will return in four days (Friday, 14 Nov 2014) and try again.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Week 2 of 5

Thursday, 30 Oct 2014

(2964 = ANC @ 08:59 on 30 Oct)

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name;

Today is the second week of the “Interim Maintenance phase TWO” . During this phase, Ella’s ANC and Platelet counts must be above 750 and 75,000 to proceed.

Since both of her numbers were above the minimum she was able to receive the Chemo drugs.

Unfortunately, nausea is the primary side effect during this phase.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Week 1 of 5

 Thursday, 20 Oct 2014

(1008 = ANC @ 08:42 on 20 Oct)

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Today is the first week of the “Interim Maintenance Phase TWO”.

After meeting the required ANC and Platelet numbers, Ella underwent another spinal tap and infusion of Chemo in to her central nervous system.

After waking from the anesthesia (Propofol), other Chemo drugs were infused into the rest of her body.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Delayed Intensification Phase – Week 8 of 8

Monday, 13 Oct 2014

(507 = ANC @ 09:55 on 13 Oct)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Today is the eighth week of the “Delayed Intensification Phase”.

The two 250 ml units of red blood cells and one 200 ml unit of platelets

Ella received last Monday appear to have worked well.

Ella’s color is much more rosey than it was last week.

Nurse Donna says she thinks Ella received “Bossy Blood”.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Delayed Intensification Phase – Week 7 of 8

Monday, 06 Oct 2014

(270 = ANC @ 08:29 on 06 Oct)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever; my cup runneth over.

Today is the seventh week of the “Delayed Intensification” phase.

Ella has been in fine spirts and doing well over the past seven days.

The same can not be said for Ella’s blood numbers – all 3 counts are WAY down.

Her very low Hemoglobin count, 4.3, was the greatest concern today.

Her very low Platelet count, 10K, was the next greatest.

She received two 250 ml units of red blood cells today and

one 200 ml unit of platelets.

We promise to record the story of this amazing “God Moment” here soon.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Delayed Intensification Phase – Week 6 of 8

Monday, 29 Sep 2014

(1786 = ANC @ 10:43 on 29 Sep)

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with thy oil; my cup runneth over.

Today is the sixth “Delayed Intensification” treatment session.

The daily infusions of chemo drugs is taking a serious toll.

All three of Ella’s blood numbers are way down and falling.

ANC is down significantly from last week.

Her Hemoglobin count is the lowest it has been since May.

And her platelet count is also way down.

Despite her pain and discomfort, Ella contiues to be upbeat.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Delayed Intensification Phase – Week 5 of 8

Monday, 22 Sep 2014

(2832 = ANC @ 08:48 on 22 Sep)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Today was the fifth “Delayed Intensification” treatment session.

After last week’s delay…

Ella’s ANC number rose to 2832 – the third highest in five months.

Ella’s treatment session today lasted more than 8 hours.

It included a Lumbar Puncture (LP) aka Spinal Tap, and numerous drug infusions.

As usual, Ella was the bravest person in the room.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Delayed Intensification Phase – DELAY #1

Monday, 15 Sep 2014

(209 = ANC @ 08:39 on 15 Sep)

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Today was scheduled to be the fifth “Delayed Intensification” treatment session.

Unfortunately, Ella’s ANC number (209) is too low to proceed.

This is the first delay in Ella’s treatment.

We will try again next Monday.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.