It turns out that Chelsea's ANC count was not high enough for her to begin the second phase of chemo treatment so she returned home last Friday. She had a blast over the Holiday weekend and is returning to the hospital today. The expectation is that her ANC count will be high enough for her to begin treatment. She is doing fantastic.
Liz and I appreciate everyone who requested to be tested for a bone marrow, in hopes that he or she could be a match for Chelsea. At this point, if Chris is not a match, all indications are that the doctors will proceed with chemo treatment as opposed to finding another donor. If something changes, we will let everyone know.
We did receive some additional sad news this weekend as Chelsea's grandfather, Harvey, has also been diagnosed with acute leukemia. We are awaiting the results on the bone marrow aspirate to determine what kind(ALL or AML). I guess her grandpa did not want to see Chelsea go through it alone :) He is waiting to begin treatment, with is much shorter in duration.
Once this is all over and Liz's dad and Chelsea are cured, Liz and I are going to a LONG vacation.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Week 6 Update
Chelsea went back to the hospital on 5/15 but was sent home as her cell counts were not where the doctors wanted them to be prior to the starting the second round of treatment. She did, however, promptly return the next day as she woke with a fever. She no longer has a fever but has remained in the hospital as the doctors decided when she will begin her second treatment. . The doctor's prefer the ANC count to be around 1000. On Wednesday, it was 138 and it moved up to 850 today. The doctors will wait for her results tomorrow in order to determine whether she will begin treatment tomorrow or Friday. If not, we can for a few days until her count reaches a level the doctors are comfortable with.
We did receive some good news this week as the sample of bone marrow taken from the bone marrow aspirate last Wednesday showed no leukemia cells, which means that she is, technically, in remission. This is only a sample of the bone marrow and she still, in all likelihood, has plenty of leukemia cells still in her blood and bone marrow. Most AML patients go into remission at some point but the doctors seemed please that she was in remission after the first treatment.
Still no decision on a possible bone marrow transplant and probably won't be until around week 9 or 10. A lot depends on Chris' genetic testing, if he is a match, she will be receiving the transplant as the reward far outweighs the risk with sibling matches. If Chris is not a match, the medical team will need to determine whether continuing on with chemo or finding a match is the best course of treatment for cure.
Chelsea is doing great. She is such a character makes Mommy and Daddy laugh all the time. My wife has been unbelievable throughout all this. I knew a long, long time ago that she would be a fantastic mother.
Hope that you and your families enjoy the Holiday Weekend!
We did receive some good news this week as the sample of bone marrow taken from the bone marrow aspirate last Wednesday showed no leukemia cells, which means that she is, technically, in remission. This is only a sample of the bone marrow and she still, in all likelihood, has plenty of leukemia cells still in her blood and bone marrow. Most AML patients go into remission at some point but the doctors seemed please that she was in remission after the first treatment.
Still no decision on a possible bone marrow transplant and probably won't be until around week 9 or 10. A lot depends on Chris' genetic testing, if he is a match, she will be receiving the transplant as the reward far outweighs the risk with sibling matches. If Chris is not a match, the medical team will need to determine whether continuing on with chemo or finding a match is the best course of treatment for cure.
Chelsea is doing great. She is such a character makes Mommy and Daddy laugh all the time. My wife has been unbelievable throughout all this. I knew a long, long time ago that she would be a fantastic mother.
Hope that you and your families enjoy the Holiday Weekend!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Week 5 Update - The Week Home
Chelsea came home from the hospital last Friday(5/8). To be together as a family, if even just for a brief period, was so much fun. It felt like she never left as she quickly got into the same routine as she was in prior to heading to the hospital, playing with the same toys and doing the same things. The weather is nice and we took advantage whenever possible. Chelsea loves being outside. No crazy trips. Just the playing in the yard or going to the park. It was a great week.
She starts Phase 2 of her treatment tomorrow(5/15). Prior to leaving the hospital last Friday, we found out that she is classified as an intermediate-risk patient, which is where 90% of AML patients are classified. Her brother is be tested to see if he is a genetic match for a bone marrow transplant. If he is a match, Chelsea will be receiving a bone marrow transplant. If he is not, a determination on whether she will receive a transplant will be made later on in her treatment.
Another 25-40 days to in the hospital. Looking forward to the next week she is home already :)
She starts Phase 2 of her treatment tomorrow(5/15). Prior to leaving the hospital last Friday, we found out that she is classified as an intermediate-risk patient, which is where 90% of AML patients are classified. Her brother is be tested to see if he is a genetic match for a bone marrow transplant. If he is a match, Chelsea will be receiving a bone marrow transplant. If he is not, a determination on whether she will receive a transplant will be made later on in her treatment.
Another 25-40 days to in the hospital. Looking forward to the next week she is home already :)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Week 4 Update - Exciting News
Chelsea rebounded resoundingly for last week's tough times and (drum roll, please).....is headed home late Friday/early Saturday! In order for her to be released from the hospital, her ANC(Absolute Neutrophil Count) needs to be 200 and trending upwards. We were ecstatic to find out that from yesterday to today the count went from 87 to 912! There are some routine tests over the next day or so that have to be performed and she needs to finish her antibiotic cycle treating her infection but nothing that should delay her departure. I know....it is only for a week but it will be great for her to be home and for the four of us to spend the week together. This is just first step, of many, but Chelsea has handled her first stay like a champ.
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