Thursday, December 12th
We have been both anxiously awaiting and dreading this day since the beginning of treatment. We were mentally prepared to receive bad news. It’s not that we didn’t have faith or that we haven’t prayed multiple times everyday for good results, but in the world of childhood cancer, you have to protect yourself from potentially devastating news the best you can.
We arrived at Clinic yesterday at 1. Avery‘s lab were surprising as they showed she was not fully recovered yet from Cycle 3. Her platelets had dropped to 55 and her ANC to 790. This meant that we could proceed with scans, but the LP and bone marrow aspirate had to be delayed. Due to continued vomitting and stomach pain, they did an abdominal x-ray as well. The x-ray showed that she was full of poop and that her NG tube had moved from her stomach to her esophagus. Both were issues we needed to clear up.
Avery slept better last night than she has in a while. She had to be NPO from midnight on in preparation for the anesthesia. Her platelets dropped to 40 and her ANC to 390 further confirming that she still has a lot of recovering to do. We played games and the iPad all morning and tried to distract her from being hungry and bored. They finally took us down around 1:20pm. It never gets easier leaving your screaming, terrified child in the arms of someone else, but we managed to do it yet again.
The next few hours were some of the longest of our lives. Also while she was getting scans, they advanced her NG tube 9cm back into the proper place. When they brought her back to us, she was just as angry as she was when we left her.
Once we were back to her room, Dr. Friedman came by to discuss the results. He told us her scans were clear! The nodules they previously saw on her spine were gone as were the spots on her brain. We were so relieved and in disbelief! I even asked again to confirm there was nothing inconclusive.
We still need the LP and bone marrow aspirate before finalizing the next steps for treatment. Hopefully she will be well enough for that next week.
Since it was late and Avery still needed blood and platelet transfusions, they decided to keep us one more night. And because she doesn’t like to take the easy path, she spiked a 102.7 fever in response to the platelets. This caused them to have to stop the already in process blood transfusion, draw cultures and start her on Cefapime. She’s also getting Miralax, Colace and another med to help her tummy troubles, and we‘re restarting the Neupogen injections to give her ANC a boost.
The war is far from over, but we are giving thanks and praise for winning this first battle!
Please continue to pray for:
- Count recovery
- Clear LP(no cancerous cells in spinal fluid)
- Successful stem cell collection
- Wisdom and guidance for next steps in treatment
Praying for Miss Avery and knowing that God had her in the palm of his hand and is in complete control! HE is always near and doesn’t forget us for one second. Praying for all needs and comfort and rest for everyone!
PTL!! So very thankful for the positive scan results. Hallelujah. 🙏💕🎈. Continued prayers for all of you. ❤️
What wonderful news! Continued prayers for Avery and the entire family.
Thank the good LORD! This is such good news! I hope that the remainder of her tests are good too! I can't imagine the heart breaking as you have to let her go angry, scared, and wanting you, but you and Shon are the best parents and want the best outcome for Avery! Just remember that all the prayers are being answered, and that they will continue until she has complete healing! Love and prayers for you all! God bless you and I hope you both get some rest!
I am sitting here trying to read this through many tears. Thank you God for hearing and answering prayers prayed by so many for this precious child. To God be the Glory! Continuing to pray for a miracle, complete healing for sweet Avery. Giving all praise to the great Physician!