Tag: spinal tap

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Week 4 of 5

Friday, 28 Nov 2014
(660 = ANC @ 07:50 on 28 Nov)
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Ella completed the fourth session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase today.

After a blood draw to ensure Ella was 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 and Methotrexate. The lumbar procedure and both infusions were uneventful and Ella appears to be tolerating the medicine well.

Ella is scheduled to receive fifth and final session of the “Interim Maintenance TWO” phase in ten days (Monday, 8 Dec 2014).

Pictured above is Ella and a fellow patient.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

Delayed Intensification Phase – Week 5 of 8

Monday, 22 Sep 2014

(2832 = ANC @ 08:48 on 22 Sep)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Today was the fifth “Delayed Intensification” treatment session.

After last week’s delay…

Ella’s ANC number rose to 2832 – the third highest in five months.

Ella’s treatment session today lasted more than 8 hours.

It included a Lumbar Puncture (LP) aka Spinal Tap, and numerous drug infusions.

As usual, Ella was the bravest person in the room.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you.

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.