chemotherapy – AlohaGentry

Monday Means Chemo No More

Monday, 20 Jun 2016

Ella celebrates the completion of her chemotherapy protocol with the doctors and nurses who cared for over the past 798 days.

While the two years, two months, and one week Ella spent on this journey seemed long at times, it is important to remember Ella managed to finish early – nearly 100 days ahead of the 30 months that is usually required.

We are mindful of the blessings she received from the many prayers said on her behalf as she made this journey.

We sincerely hope your faith is strengthened.

Thank you for your prayers.

If it’s Monday, it may be Chemotherapy – IM1 Treatment 3 of 5

Monday, 14 Jul 2014

(1102 = ANC @ 09:36 on 14 Jul)

Today is the third 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 received doses of Vincristine (1.5 mg) and Methotrexate (194 mg). Both infusions were uneventful and Ella appears to be tolerating the medicine well.

The photo above of Ella and Nurse Irvin was taken in the Oncology clinic at Kapiolani Medical Center.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

If it’s Thursday, it May be Chemotherapy – IM1 Treatment 2 of 5

Thursday, 03 Jul 2014

(897 = ANC @ 08:36 on 03 Jul)

Today is the second 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 received doses of Vincristine (1.5 mg) and Methotrexate (145 mg). Both infusions were uneventful and Ella appears to be tolerating the medicine well.

The photo above was taken this morning as Papa, Ella, and Michele (Ella’s new nurse and newest BFF) were heading off to Kapiolani Medical Center.

Your prayers are making amazing differences in Ella’s life – thank you so very much.

God bless you.

Ella’s Bone Marrow is Up and Running Strong

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

(2116 = ANC @ 1230 on 27 May)

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.

Monday Means Chemo (Day 15)

Monday, 28 April 2014

Today was Ella’s second visit to the Pediatric Ambulatory Unit (PAU) at Kapiolani Medical Center (KMC). Ella’s familiarity with the PAU helped things go a bit more smoothly. The PAU is where outpatients, like Ella, go to receive their chemotherapy protocols

Ella’s two newest friends – Nurse Cindy and Nurse Kristen – painlessly reestablished IV access via the Porta Cath. A short time later, Ella recieved another dose of Vincristine.

We were pleased to report that the past week had been gloriously uneventful. No fevers, no bruising, no bleeding. Thankfully, boring is great news

We start each morning with prayers of thanks to God for another day and for all the people who are praying for Ella.

Thank you for your prayers.

Monday Means Chemo (Day 08)

Monday, 21 April 2014

Ella, sporting her new pixie hairdoo, began her second week of Chemotherapy on Monday, 21 April.

The “Day 8” treatment calls for two procedures. The first involves a lumbar puncture to draw a sample of Ella’s spinal fluid and to inject Chemotherapy drugs into her Central Nervous System (CNS). Because of Ella’s airway issues, her sedation was performed by the same anesthesiologist who took care of her in the OR during last Monday’s surgery. The extra effort resulted in a procedure that was blissfully uneventful.

The second procedure involved accessing Ella’s Porta Cath site to draw blood and infuse the Chemotherapy drug, Vinchristine.

We start each morning with prayers of thanks to God for another day and for all the people who are praying for Ella.

Thank you for your prayers.

Headed Home on Good Friday

Friday, 18 April 2014

By Good Friday, Ella’s vital signs were almost back to their normal baseline. Her O2 sats on room air were in the high 90’s. Her lungs were clear and there was not even a trace of blood in her trach secretions.

With her “week one” chemo treatments complete and her vital signs were stable, the doctors agreed Ella should be at home for Easter weekend.

However, before letting Ella depart Kapiolani Medical Center (KMC), the doctors gave Ella one more unit of platelets – just to “top off the tank” better safe than sorry.

Ella was delighted to be home again.

We start each morning with prayers of thanks to God for another day and for all the people who are praying for Ella.

Thank you for your prayers.

48 Short Hours

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

The doctors explained the chemotherapy drugs kill the Leukemia cells by literal destroying the walls of each cell. The down side is that this wholesale release of intra-cellular material can dramatically (and dangerously in many cases) alter the normal blood chemistry.

IV fluids are increased as part of the process to dampen the rate of change. In Ella’s case, the combination of additional fluids, (which built up in her lungs) and the reduced number of red blood cells impeded her ability to process oxygen. With Ella, low oxygen saturation numbers are almost as exciting as blood shooting out of her trach tube. Eventually, additional drugs (lasix) were then given to accelerate urine output.

*** Advisory note to Donna – probably not the best time to hold Ella on your lap ***

And so, 48 short hours after the coughing blood began – Ella was stable enough on Holy Thursday that she only needed 3 or 4 LPM of oxygen to keep her O2 saturation numbers in the 90’s.

We start each morning with prayers of thanks to God for another day and for all the people who are praying for Ella.

Thank you for your prayers.