Friday, February 20, 2009

Interim Phase I update :-)

Tuesday started out very early at 5:00 am. Liz needed to be down in clinic for her 6:30 am check-in time. The actual procedure time was 8:30 am, she was the third in line for her LP (chemo in her spine) and bone marrow biopsy. Great news, her preliminary results show ZERO blasts in her bone marrow meaning that they can not see any cancer cells. YEAH! Elizabeth was allowed to push her own medicine syringe that puts her to sleep. She was told by the doc that no one has pushed it all the way through before falling off to sleep, of course this was a challenge to her and one that I am sad to say she lost. I did get it on video and it is the cutest thing. That sounds really weird to say your child falling off into a drug induced sleep is cute but in some situations you have to find the cute or adorable moments. She always gives a sweet yawn after she closes her eyes and I finally have it on video.

She was admitted and assigned a room, room 539, at 3:30 pm and at this time they started the high dose Methotrexate. She will probably never drink Mt. Dew again because that is the color of her high dose Methotrexate. She made me put her jacket over it so she did not have to look at it, it was making her sick.

Elizabeth has had very strong chemos this time around and is having minimal side effects due to your continued prayers. Her potassium level is low and they are giving her a higher dose of it through her port. She also had an inch long potassium pill this morning. We were allowed to cut it in half for her to take but I can see now she still has not taken it. :-( She is trying to rub the edges smooth from where we cut it so she will not feel it go down her throat. She is such a trooper I can't help but marvel at her spirit and her little tricks. She really is a funny kid. :-D

The docs have given her a 24 hour dose of Zofran, her anti-nausea med, so the nurses do not have to interrupt her fluids. The fluids are extremely important because the methotrexated needs to be flushed out of her system ASAP. The 24 hour dose of Zofran gives her a headache so they just give her Tylenol for that.

As devastating as Elizabeth's diagnoses is to me, it is also a wonderful gift of time. I do not allow time to slow down unless I am forced to make it slow down. This is the gift God has given to me and my family. God has not given us Leukemia to deal with, he has given us the wonderful gift of time. God is about relationships. He is our strength and our father. He loves us more than we can ever begin to imagine. God loves us more than we love our own children. He sent his only son to die for us, I know I could not do that, I do not have that all encompassing agape love.

Please continue to pray for the minimal side effects of all the drugs.
Her caregivers.
Please also pray for her friend and classmate Joel Brown who also has ALL.
Please pray for the family of her teacher, Mr. Daugherty. He lost his battle to Lymphoma yesterday.
All the children and families on the 5th floor of children's.

Blessings,
Christine

6 comments:

Cindy Dodson said...

Christine,
I can't explain how I felt after reading your last post. Just know that your writing has affected me. I want to give you a hug right now :) Elizabeth, I will be sure to rid my house of Mountain Dew next time you're over. I hope you all are feeling our collective "sigh" out here beyond the walls of Children's and the Lothrop house. What wonderful news with which to start the weekend! No cancer cells, yay! I'm sure the final results will confirm this as well. Wishing everyone a restful weekend!
Peace,
Cindy

Kristi said...

Hey family,

We are so excited to hear that Liz tests came back no cancer cells..Way Cool!! We will continue to pray for side effects to be minimal or hopefully non at all and for our friend Joel to continue to do great as well. It is so nice that you have each other to communicate with, you know what each other are feeling..God is amazing that way too..Liz you are a trooper and so brave..You are truely blessed and i am so proud of you..keep up the fight little missy.. we are all here for you...hugs and kisses!! may you rest this weekend and enjoy each others company!!

we love you guys!!
Jones family

Christina Schnitzler said...

YAY! PRAISE GOD! i can't help but get all choked up! wonderful news! lots of love and tons of prayers :) <3 Christina

grandpa L said...

Christine,

Your comment about God's gift of time is wonderful -- in fact, that whole paragraph is wonderful. Thank you. For me, it's a perfect example of the truth of God's promise in Romans 8:28 -- "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

With much love, Dad L.

Melissa Lohman Grablovic said...

Liz & Christine,

What a great entry! No cancer cells! Yea! I'm so glad. As hard a time as I sometimes give you Liz, I hope you know how much I care about you guys. There was a big sigh of relief as I read. Have a great weekend at home!

MG

P.S. I would love to see that video... :)

Ms. Daniella said...

Liz,
I was soo happy to read the results of your bone marrow biopsy-zero cancer cells! Woohoo! You are so deserving of that good news! You truly are an incredible trooper. I am training for a half marathon with Team in Training and every time I want to stop short of my goal I think of you and all that you are going through and there is just no way I can give up then. I will so be proud to run in your honor.

Keep up your positive spirits and energy!

Daniella

I thought this quote went along nicely with the wonderful story in the last update:

"When we reach out to someone, it is like throwing a pebble in a pool of water. You never know where the ripples will end"