Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Update - December 27th
Kelly is starting chemo now and is expected to be released from the hospital tomorrow if she doesn't spike another fever. The goal of the chemo is to get her into remission, and then they can go from there to explore what options for long-term treatment exist.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Update - December 26th
It has been quite a week. My mom and Kelly arrived in Seattle on Thursday evening. After almost two hours of sitting in traffic, Travis and I dropped them off at Children's, where they were admitted later that night.
Kelly underwent a bone marrow aspiration on Friday, which confirmed that her leukemia has returned. There is some good news - it is the same leukemia it has always been (A.L.L.) so it has not mutated and they know how her body and this leukemia have typically responded to chemo and/or a transplant. It also seems they have caught it relatively early. Her blood counts were fairly good as of Friday; however, throughout the weekend they have begun to show signs that the cancer is on the move.
The other good news is that her docter at Children's Hospital is very optomistic that she has another shot with chemo. He hasn't yet consulted with her doctor at the Fred Hutch, Dr. Sanders, yet, and she may have something entirely different in mind. We are still unsure how they will proceed. For now, they are (attempting to) manage Kelly's pain. She is having frequent, intense headaches, most likely from a spinal tap done on Friday, and has spiked fevers as high as 105 degrees, so they don't see an end to her hospital stay anytime soon.
The disappointing and overwhelming news is the possible time frame for their stay. Her doctor at Children's estimated they may need to be here for up to a year. This is not set in stone because as I said before, he has not consulted with her Hutch doctor and no solid plan of action has been presented or decided upon at this point. But I think more likely than not it will be a longer stay than they would hope, which means hard decisions about jobs, housing, transportation, schooling for Molly and Rose...the list goes on and on. Please pray for them - above all that the Lord would give them clarity in wisdom as they are faced with these choices.
Don, Molly and Rose are settling into the Ronald McDonald House. They had a good Christmas dinner there yesterday and were spoiled a bit by some generous people there. Even so, it is unimaginably hard for them. Specifically, for Molly, a high school freshman, to be uprooted from friends, drivers ed, choir, all the things a normal 15 year old enjoys. And for Rosie, to leave her sweet little dog Gidgi back in Montana...they are inseparable and I know she misses her constant companion.
Travis, Gavin and I are thankful that we are in the area and can be here to support my family. Gavin is an adorable and perfect distraction during this hard time. He gave his grandma a big kiss right on the lips on Christmas Eve and it brought her to tears. I am thankful that he is around to make everyone laugh. He's quite the entertainer now that he is toddling around and chattering.
Things to specifically pray about:
Kelly underwent a bone marrow aspiration on Friday, which confirmed that her leukemia has returned. There is some good news - it is the same leukemia it has always been (A.L.L.) so it has not mutated and they know how her body and this leukemia have typically responded to chemo and/or a transplant. It also seems they have caught it relatively early. Her blood counts were fairly good as of Friday; however, throughout the weekend they have begun to show signs that the cancer is on the move.
The other good news is that her docter at Children's Hospital is very optomistic that she has another shot with chemo. He hasn't yet consulted with her doctor at the Fred Hutch, Dr. Sanders, yet, and she may have something entirely different in mind. We are still unsure how they will proceed. For now, they are (attempting to) manage Kelly's pain. She is having frequent, intense headaches, most likely from a spinal tap done on Friday, and has spiked fevers as high as 105 degrees, so they don't see an end to her hospital stay anytime soon.
The disappointing and overwhelming news is the possible time frame for their stay. Her doctor at Children's estimated they may need to be here for up to a year. This is not set in stone because as I said before, he has not consulted with her Hutch doctor and no solid plan of action has been presented or decided upon at this point. But I think more likely than not it will be a longer stay than they would hope, which means hard decisions about jobs, housing, transportation, schooling for Molly and Rose...the list goes on and on. Please pray for them - above all that the Lord would give them clarity in wisdom as they are faced with these choices.
Don, Molly and Rose are settling into the Ronald McDonald House. They had a good Christmas dinner there yesterday and were spoiled a bit by some generous people there. Even so, it is unimaginably hard for them. Specifically, for Molly, a high school freshman, to be uprooted from friends, drivers ed, choir, all the things a normal 15 year old enjoys. And for Rosie, to leave her sweet little dog Gidgi back in Montana...they are inseparable and I know she misses her constant companion.
Travis, Gavin and I are thankful that we are in the area and can be here to support my family. Gavin is an adorable and perfect distraction during this hard time. He gave his grandma a big kiss right on the lips on Christmas Eve and it brought her to tears. I am thankful that he is around to make everyone laugh. He's quite the entertainer now that he is toddling around and chattering.
Things to specifically pray about:
- Kelly's health - that she would have relief from the pain and fevers would go down so she can be released from the hospital
- Wisdom for Dr. Geyer and Dr. Sanders as they discuss the best possible plan for Kelly's treatment
- Wisdom and discernment for my parents as they decide how to proceed
- Financial provision
- A reliable vehicle for them to use in Seattle long-term
- Comfort for everyone as they adjust to life out here
"For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purposes." - Romans 8:28
Love,
Marcy
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