During DI Presley will receive chemo she's not have before, along with some repeats. Her counts will be hammered hard for the next two months. We will expect blood and platelet transfusions. As I write this my heart breaks thinking of what shes facing. It just doesn't seem right that a little girl should be in such pain, nausea, discomfort and mood swings. She will begin steroids again. Dexamethasone causes muscle weakness, bone pain, and increased appetite. Most kids also suffer from serious mood swings. Presley will take this drug for a week, then a week off, then for another week. This phase is much like Induction (the first nasty phase) but this round we get to take a week off of steroids in between. She will get the "moon face" again from the steroids.
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| "Moon Face", my kids already have big heads then add steroids on top! |
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| I just love that "Moon Face" |
In a month there will be entirely different set of chemo drugs including two weeks of chemo pills at home (by mouth). We will also learn how to administer Cytarabine into Presley's port at home. She will get that chemo for 4 days (while staying accessed) then 3 days off and then for 4 more days again (staying accessed). Usually Presley only stays accessed if she is in the hospital (in-patient)
We need lots of prayers that Presley will be safe during this phase. Prayers that her heart will stay strong and that her immune system will be able to handle the low counts with out sickness. The chemos are dangerous and we are dreading DI for Presley but it's part of the journey. As much as we don't want to start this phase, we know its just one day closer to being done.
FIRST PART OF DI
Day 1: Clinic Day
EKG
Lumbar Puncture with Methotrexate in the spine
Vincristine IV
Doxorubicin IV
Dexamethasone 2x's by mouth (Steroids)
Day 2-4
Dexamethasone 2x's a day by mouth (Steroids)
Day 4: Clinic Day
PEG IV
Day 5-8
Dexamethasone 2x's a day by mouth (Steroids)
Day 8: Clinic Day
Vincristine IV
Doxorubicin IV
Dexamethasone 2x's (Steroids)
Day 15: Clinic Day
Vincristine IV
Doxorubicin IV
Dexamethasone 2x's (Steroids)
Day 15-21:
Dexamethasone 2x's (Steroids)
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SECOND PART OF DI
Day 29: Clinic Day
Lumbar Puncture with Methotrexate in the spine
Cytarabine IV
Cylophosphamide IV
Thiouguanine pill at night
Day 29-32: Presley will stay accessed for 4 days to give IV every day for 4 days
Cytarabine IV
Thiouguanine pill at night
Day 33-36:
Thiouguanine pill at night
Day 36-39: Presley will stay accessed for 4 days to give IV every day for 4 days
Cytarabine IV
Cytarabine IV
Thiouguanine pill at night
Day 40-42:
Thiouguanine pill at night
Holy cow! You're my heroes. You're such a strong family. It's like you went through medical school for leukemia-you know so much (I wouldn't expect anything less from you because you're such a smart cookie). Thinking about you always. Sending my most healing, anti-nausea, no mouth sore, no mood swing, and healthy Presley prayers to you. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteShe's is beautiful! We will be praying and sending positive thoughts that the side effects stay at a minimum.
ReplyDeleteWow that sounds so hard for her and you and your family. I am amazed by the modern day technology when it comes to fighting cancer - Thank goodness. I know we don't really know each other anymore, but your family is in my prayers. You have amazing strength Alysa.
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