Neutropenia – AlohaGentry

Out for a Walk

Saturday, 28 Mar 2015

God gathers us from all the places we have been scattered:let us give thanks and praise!

One of the best things you can do to defeat a respiratory infection is to take it out for a walk. Unfortunately, going out for a walk “can be” a bit risky when Ella’s immune system is so low. Luckily for us it was a quiet Saturday at the hospital.

As soon as Dr. Glaser gave us the green light we headed out on our walking adventure.

As usual, Ella’s favorite part was making new friends.

Please know, Ella is safe and comfortable.

We are hopeful that Ella may soon be discharged.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

Wednesday, 26 Mar 2015

(14 = ANC @ 04:15 on 26 Mar)

Faithful is God, faithful and true: come, let us adore!

Sage is one of Ella’s FaceTime friends. Sage is in the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Please join us in praying for Sage and her family.

Sage’s father Sam, is incredibly strong and courageous.

Ella made this very special card for Sam right after we said many prayers for Sage.

Please know, Ella is safe and comfortable.

Tomorrow we will know a bit more…details to follow.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Respiratory Infection Confirmed

Monday, 23 Mar 2015

(126 = ANC @ 09:40 on 23 Mar)

God is our rock of refuge: let us give thanks and praise.

As suspected, Ella has a respiratory infection.

It is unclear at this time if it is viral or bacteriological.

Ella will receive IV antibiotics over the next several days to support her severely weakened immune system. We are grateful Ella is able to recieve these infusions on an outpatient basis.

126 on today’s Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is the lowest since she began treatment on 14 April 2014. (click on the link above to see Ella’s ANC history) Patient’s with ANC scores below 500 are considered at “high risk” of infection.

Please join us in saying a prayer of thanks to God for sending Ella into our lives.

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 – 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.

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.