Today Emily had her PET scan. It took a while since she had to wait 45 minutes after the sugar was injected until they can start the scan. Emily was NPO for the procedure so I had some food ready for her the moment she was done.
We got a call from our NP and Emily's medical team had met today to go over the results of the Ultrasound with respect to the clot and the surgery needed to remove it and place the Mediport. The great news is the clot in her subclavian vein is gone! That makes the risks to her surgery much less as the PICC line is not occluded in that vein. She still has some clotting down the arm so after surgery on Thursday she will go back on Lovenox for a while until a certain blood marker returns to normal. So the Hematologist is thinking after some time here she will be able to go off Lovenox all together and we will just watch that marker in her blood. M y guess is that when she goes back on L-Asparaginase she may have to go back on blood thinner, but at least now we know to watch.
So, what that all means is this Thursday Emily is going to have the surgery she was supposed to have last Thursday. The surgical menu includes; Removal of the PICC line, placement of the mediport, Spinal injection, and bore marrow aspiration.
Then on Monday Emily will start the second phase of Chemo, called Consolidation Phase. During these past two weeks, Emily was supposed to have rest, but the blood clot cut into that. Her blood levels are high enough to start the next phase, so they want to.
One month of chemo down, twenty three to go.
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9 comments:
I can't believe this whole ordeal has only been one month, it really seems like so much longer. It is truly amazing what your family has been through in a month. We are sending so many postive wishes for Thursday and we will be thinking of you. All our love.
Hi Peppers,
I am thinking of you guys daily. I'm sending love and good thoughts to you all. Love, Brandy
Hi Chris,
I am so excited to hear the great news about the blood clot. That is wonderful. It will be so nice to get rid of that PICC line and not have to do any dressing changes.
I hope you are feeling better. After Emily recovers from her surgery maybe we can get together.
Good to hear that her body has recovered enough to start the consolidation phase. Did you get the results of the PET scan yet?
Hope all goes smoothly on Thursday.
Theresa
Dear Chris & Tracy - What a relief to hear this great news. We are so happy that Emily's clot is gone in the subclavian vein, that she doesn't have to be on Lovenox during the whole 2-year protocol, and that she is able to keep moving forward with the chemo protocol. This is all so positive and makes me feel she is not going through all of this for nothing. We are checking the blog and Steve's email often while we are away and are following everything as closely as we can from so far away. Say hello to Emily for us and tell her how proud we are of her.
Love, Grannie & Grampa
Dear Chris & Tracy - What a relief to hear this great news. We are so happy that Emily's clot is gone in the subclavian vein, that she doesn't have to be on Lovenox during the whole 2-year protocol, and that she is able to keep moving forward with the chemo protocol. This is all so positive and makes me feel she is not going through all of this for nothing. We are checking the blog and Steve's email often while we are away and are following everything as closely as we can from so far away. Say hello to Emily for us and tell her how proud we are of her.
Love, Grannie & Grampa
Hi Pepper Family...
It was good to see you at work today Chris. I read through the blog and thought...WOW, you guys have really been through so much in such a short time. There is a lot of strength here in this little family. You and Tracy have been through so much....yet God still gives you the strength to persevere for Emily and for Haley. Many of my friends ask about Emily. The other evening my fiancee and I were in prayer for her. While we don't fully understand why we have to go through such things...we do know that it makes us stronger people and with that strength we can help others. Please give my love to Em. Let me know if she would like me to make some more tater-tot casserole. I would love to do that for her (and for the family as well). You all are still in our prayers.
Blessings...
jayme
Great news about the clot! I will pray the surgery is smooth and uneventful!
Kim
Great news about the clot. Know that I have been praying for all of you. You come to my mind and heart so many times in the day. Thanks so much for your daily committment to share your story each day on the blog. May tomorrow go well. I will continue to hold you in prayer, especially dear Emily.
Pam (a friend from Stanford)
What awesome news! We are so happy about this. We are praying for all to go well with the surgery and everything else.
I'm amazed that Em's little body is ready to start the second phase of Chemo so soon, wow! We pray that this second phase goes well also.
May God's grace and healing love touch you all, especially Emily. Love, Auntie Diana ~^..^~ and Uncle Marty
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