Interim Maintenance ONE

If it’s Monday, it is Chemotherapy – IM1 Treatment 5 of 5

Monday, 04 Aug 2014

Today is the fifth 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 receive today’s treatment, she received doses of Vincristine (1.5 mg) and Methotrexate (291 mg). Both infusions were uneventful and Ella appears to be tolerating the medicine well.

The photo above of Ella, Lucy and Nurse Donna was taken in the Oncology unit at Kapiolani Medical Center.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

If it’s Thursday, it may be Chemotherapy – IM1 Treatment 4 of 5

Thursday, 24 Jul 2014

(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.

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.

Monday means Chemotherapy – IM1 Treatment 1 of 5

Monday, 23 June 2014

(1680 = ANC @ 11:49 on 23 Jun)

Ella begins the third phase of her chemotherapy today. “Interim Maintenance I” is comprised of five treatment sessions. Ella will receive larger doses of the chemotherapy drugs each session.

This phase will be very demanding for Ella. Her immune system will be severely weakened by the themotherapy drugs: Vincristine and Methotrexate.
This condition, known as Neutropenia, poses the greatest risk to Ella’s already fragile respiratory system.

The ANC number, listed under each headline (1680 = ANC @ 11:49 on 23 Jun), is the number to watch as Ella progresses. When Ella’s ANC values dip below 500 she will be at the greatest risk.

While we are doing much to prepare for the upcoming periods of risk, we have faith that God has a plan for Ella (and for each of us). Moreover, we have faith that God’s plan is much better ours.

Please pray for God to come into our lives each day, to guide our steps, to increase our faith, and to help us be the people he wants us to be.

Thank you for your prayers.
God bless you.