Vincristine – AlohaGentry

Interim Maintenance Phase TWO – Complete

Monday, 08 Dec 2014

…as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

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.

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

Monday, 04 Aug 2014

(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.

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.

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.

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.