Emily had her 5th L-Asperaginase shot today. She also had another round of IV Doxobubicin and Vinchritsine. It was a long day, she had to have her labs taken and checked before we could start the Chemotherapy and the lab was backed up because of the holiday weekend. We had to wait around for about 3 hours before we could begin treatment. Emily took her shot well, and didn't even try to resist it, which makes it much easier to give and easier for us as parents to assist with. On Thursday she will be having her last scheduled Asperaninase shot in the entire treatment. Needless to say we are all looking foreward to them being complete. The Dexamethazone is really becoming difficult for Emily to deal with, it is making her really depressed. She often says "I hate my life, I hate cancer." She isn't interested in much of anything, and doesnt' even care if she watches TV or just stares at the wall. It's hard to see and deal with, but we know she will soon change back to the Emily we all know and miss right now.
Today we went over the next several weeks of treatment with our NP. The last shot is Thurday, she starts to taper from Dexamethazone next Tuesday, and still has two more IV treatments in reinduction. After reinduction is complete, she will go through reconsolidation and then maintenance. The best guess is we have 8 weeks left before maintenance. The reason that is only a guess is that Emily will need to make specific blood counts to enter reconsolidation, and may need to take a break between reinduction and reconsolidation to achieve those counts. If she does need a break then it will add time to the phase. Any way you add it up, it's nice to be talking with the medical staff about the maintenance plan.
Tracy is going back to work ! She will be going back to Stanford to her old unit on C3. Technically she is taking a different position and will not be working 12 hours shifts, she is going to start with 1, eight hour shift per week.
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6 comments:
This sounds so difficult for you and for your family, but most of all for Emily. I continue to keep all of you in my prayers. I hope Emily will come back to school soon and that we can help to keep her spirits up. We miss her. Mrs. Smith and I were talking about her today and send many positive thoughts your way. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of assistance to you. Please give my love to Emily and tell her tht I look forward to seeing her in school soon.
Mrs. Breit
Dear Chris & Tracy -
Thank you again for keeping up this blog of Emily's progress through this horrendous disease. It is so hard right now to see Emily so depressed and sad -- not like the Emily we all know and love. It was heartbreaking to see her on Monday at Haley's party, but the blog always looks forward to better times and getting through the treatment. It makes it easier to see that Emily will make it through this and be happy again. Only one more shot tomorrow! Thank God.
Love, Grannie
It's hard to hear about the sunshine girl being depressed. After all Emily has been through and is still going through, it's incredible that it takes a drug to cause her depression, but I think you're right; it's the drug. When she gets through this, she will be bouncing back. She is amazing. I hate cancer too. I hate that she has to suffer this, as we all do.
Thank you for keeping up this blog, so we can all learn from this sweet, loving girl who spends her money first on her sister and worries about others having enough popcorn, who pulls herself together and puts on a happy smile for her sister on her birthday! What a blessing she is to us all!
Our prayers and love are with you all, as always. May time go fast through this pain. May God lift this burden of sorrow, and may Emily feel the hand of God comforting her now and forever.
Love and prayers,
Auntie Diana ~^..^~ and Uncle Marty
Emily we wish we could do more to cheer you up just know that we are sending lots of hugs, kisses, and smiles your way. You are such a courageous and brave girl with an amazing family by your side. Good luck with your last shot. We are always thinking about you. Tracy best of luck with your return to work!
Hello Peppers,
I think of you all during my day. Emily sure has her eyes on the prize, what a strong and sweet heart! I add my prayers that the next eight weeks hold some fun, school visits, good sleep, good meals, lots of family and hugs and treatments that zip on by.
What a treat Emily had an overnight with her Grandma. I'm glad.
Hello to all of you! Stay stong and know that we are all thinking of you - really really!!! Poor Emily's got so much going on - but once she gets through this part- her happiness will return like it always does and you will all feel the weight of such a lift up! We continue to root and cheer for you all - especially hard when the chips are down....
Hang in there!
Jessica, John & kids...
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