2022
(2924 = ANC @ 08:20 on 16 Mar)
The Lord of hosts is with us: come, let us adore.
Yesterday Ella began her second 12-week maintenance phase.
As is the routine, she received an infussion of Methotrexate in her Central Nervous System via a Lumbar Puncture (LP).
Thankfully she is fully sedated for these proceedures.
After a short stay in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), Ella was back to being Ella.
Thank you for your prayers.
God bless you.
(1640 = ANC @ 09:05 on 24 Jul)
Today is the fourth of five chemotherapy treatments Ella will receive during this, the third phase of her 30 month treatment protocol.
After a blood draw and testing to ensure Ella is 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 (1.5 mg) and Methotrexate (194 mg). The lumbar procedure and both infusions were uneventful and Ella appears to be tolerating the medicine well.
The photo above of Ella, Mum and Polly was taken in the Oncology unit at Kapiolani Medical Center. Polly is one of the many therapy dogs at Kapiolani.
Thank you for your prayers.
God bless you.
Breaking News 15:00 HST – Ella’s lumbar puncture was completed without any events. She is recovering in the PACU.
Breaking News 12:30 HST – Ella’s blood test results are great news. This means she is cleared to go to Phase II. She will get a new dose of chemo in her CNS via a lumbar puncture in a few minutes.
God is Good! Amen.
All of today’s procedures (listed below) were completed without incident:
Access Porta Cath
Blood Sample for Complete Blood Count (CBC)
General Anesthesia (Propofol)
Access Central Nervous System (CNS) via a Lumbar Puncture (LP)
Sample Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Infuse chemotherapy drug Methotrexate into CNS
Bone Marrow Biopsy from Pelvis
Today’s procedures were successfully completed by:
13:00 HST / 7:00 PM Corning, NY / 8:00 PM Halifax, NS / 23:00 GMT
15:00 HST Update: Back home safely. Ella was incredibly brave. Today is day 29 of the 35 day the “Induction” phase of Ella’s 30 month treatment protocol. For those of you who are keeping score: this will be the 3rd lumbar puncture and 2nd bone marrow biopsy since 08 April, 2014.
DNA analysis of the leukemia cells present in today’s bone marrow sample will determine Ella’s long-term risk profile: High, Standard, or Low; and her specific treatment protocol.
We hope to recieve the results later this week.
The DNA analysis is performed on the mainland.
Pictured above are Nurse Irvin and Ella at North Beach,
Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “Semper Fi”
We say prayers of thanks to God each morning for the gift of another day.
We pray for all the people who are praying for Ella.
Thank you for your prayers.
