Preliminary Result

I was informed verbally Thurs pm that they found 16% Leukemia blasts in her bone marrow. The attending doctor who spoke to me said that they are still hoping.... The team spoke to Dr. Gamis who is her primary oncologist regarding the result. Instead of doing the next course of chemo right away, they will wait one week and repeat bone marrow aspiration and see what is her blasts count. This will help determine the dosage of the new drug they are adding to the chemo. This one week wait will also prevent added risks to her heart and lungs. She had 4 total tests today: cardiac and pulmo to check how the last 2 courses of chemo affected them and establish a baseline before they start another one. If she starts with this chemo, there will be no break (home) at this time. We pray every night that things will change. I felt numb when the doc told me the prelim result today. I wanted to cry , shout , get mad. I know it will not help the situation . I also know that I need to keep hoping.. keep believing ... because there is nothing impossible. I know that my family and friends are praying non stop for us. Thank you so much ... God Bless
rea

MORE UPDATES ON FRIDAY

Mikayla will have a bone marrow aspirate on Thursday to determine if the Leukemia is in remission or not. Her treatments will change depending on the outcome of the test. Test results will be in Friday with final results coming in around Monday.

Everyday is a better day.....

It was a very busy day. Malachi was screaming, nurses and parents all heard him from everywhere. Mikayla was pretty much in the play room all day. Any time she can go , she's there..LOL.
She has 2% blast based on her lab but they really will not know until bone marrow aspiration which can be on Thursday morning. It takes at least 24 hours or so before they get the result. We are hoping that it will be ok. Whatever the result, her primary doctor already has the plan as far as treatment is concerned. We pray everyday that she gets through this and it will always be a better day. Waiting for her numbers is not easy. Those numbers drive me nuts! I don't fully understand them all but I know a little to get by. What I for sure know , MIkayla is very active, playful , full of energy , doing great in school, eats and drinks well,goes to the bathroom and loves & kisses her brother (Malachi)all the time. All these are answered prayers.
By the way , we had a little problem with supper. I placed the order about 6:45 and it was already 8:15 and still don't have them. I did not want to complain because I really try to be patient but I went to the main nurses station to ask because Mikayla and Malachi are hungry and I was so frustrated I started crying.
About 10-15 min later we got the food. The child life volunteer stayed until we got them. While waiting ,I gave Malachi a shower. They ate , then I gave Mikayla a shower. She brushed her teeth. Gave her vanc paste for her mouth. And put her to bed. By 9:30 they are both asleep. And tomorrow will be a better day....
I sent a text message to Mike because I have not talked to the kids. Damien called me back said good night and that he loves me. My Darian is already in bed. I miss them so much. Mike is driving to KC tomorrow after he drops off the kids to school. My sister and brother in law from Seattle are coming to stay for a week to help me out. See , it will be a better day.....
Again , you guys out there who praying everyday , supporting us , sending cards and gifts , helping us financially , organizing and having fund raising events for MIkayla , THANK YOU so much. God Bless and good night.......
rea

Major hurdle crossed

I guess to begin things need to be updated in two ways. First is her ANC. ANC is the ability to fight infection. Her ANC since we have begun has been 0 to almost 0. On Thursday her ANC had come up to 10. On Friday it was 50. Saturday it was 150. Today it was 90. All of which is great news. Her ANC rising means that her body is starting to function normally. It is a start with no guarantees, but it gives us great hope that Mikayla's Fight is a fight that she is going to win. Her ANC needs to keep rising like it is to be considered for a small break before we continue the next course of chemo. Second we have had concerns about her blast counts. Blasts again are considered to be immature cells that can develop into white cells, red cells, platlets, or Leukemia. The doctor was concerned because for the last week her blasts have been around 3% and they want to see the percentage at 0. There is a lot more to it, but to make it easier to understand it is the simplest way for me to explain it. On Wednesday or Thursday they said that she only had about a 50% chance to go into remission because her blasts were hanging around 3%. We were worried that because of this we would have to move to more risky treatments that included "miracle" drugs. Today, however, we were presented with some of the best news since we started her fight. Her blast percentage was 0. For the first time since being admitted we can breath a sy of relief, the percentage - for now - means that her Leukemia is in remission. We have no guarantees that it will stay that way, but for once if even for a day we can celebrate the fact that one of our major hurdles has been crossed.

videos and pics from this week

Long days....

We were told this am that it may take up to next Friday for final result of her lip culture to get in. This means she will have to stay in the room until then. I did not tell her at that time because I know she will be very upset to wait 7 more days before she can leave her room. She has been in isolation for almost 5 days. But we try to do the best we can. She has school, child life , games, arts and crafts , movie time , Wii time , story time , etc in her room. Thank goodness she eats, drinks, pees and p--ps well (lol). We have to measure everything. We will end up watching all the good kids movies that child life have. But again , it is for her well being and it is the protocol.
We want to thank you all for praying and supporting us everyday. Thank you friends and family. Thank you....God Bless us all....
rea

Thank you for my blessings...

Mikayla is like a sponge. She absorbs very well. She learns very quickly. She also will try anything and will not quit until she gets it done. She loves to do anything. And even in her little world, she will find ways to make it work no matter how difficult it may be. She requires time to get to know you. But once you are in her circle of trust, she will not leave you alone. She is funny. She does not even need to try and still will make you laugh. By the way, she is bossy. I think few people know that. Those who know her, you know what I am talking about. I don't know where she got it (lol). Mike is not bossy and she was around him the most. Maybe from Damien or Darian or Malachi. But NOT FROM ME!!!
Today, she had school. Of course , she did well. She had music with Leisel and with special participation of Margaret, Misty and Christy. We searched for ducks and frogs. We sung and danced.
She read books and I read 3 chapters of Magic Tree House book 1 as well. She watched 3 movies , Scooby Doo 1 and 2 and Daddy Day Care.
We played Wii. She won both bowling and boxing . And before she went to bed, we danced, acted goofy, called Dad and asked him if he wants to party while she was playing a baby piano toy.
We prayed and I kissed her good night. And told her that I am so blessed , because God gave me her... and Damien , Darian and Malachi. And a husband at my side no matter what.
So many blessings to thank Him. You all out there who never stop praying , Thank you....God Bless us always.........
rea