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.
(1764 = ANC @ 09:52 on 08 Dec)
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.
(2820 = ANC @ 08:51 on 04 Aug)
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
