Pushing Her

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DJ Sally

Hi everybody – Overall, Sally has been doing quite well the last few weeks since our previous update when she broke her leg (again). She’s had a ton of energy, almost too much, to the point where it is difficult for her to settle. We think this is due to her activity being limited with the cast, although she has been able to skooch and crawl quite efficiently.

As expected this cycle, we skipped steroids over concerns due to the breaks in her leg, doctors not wanting to weaken her bones any further. As a result her counts didn’t rebound as they typically do after the early cycle chemo, so we had to give her the dreaded GCSF shot for four days to inspire cell growth. These typically lead to a lot of bone pain for her, however she handled it quite well this time around. Although as she’s gotten older she now knows what’s coming the second we open an alcohol pad to disinfect her skin, and let’s us know she is no fan of shots. During this time we also had a stretch of several days where Sally would vomit, so had to reduce the amount of her feeds and slowly work back up to the amounts she’s used to.

Last week Sally underwent an MRI to determine if there were any additional issues at play with her leg. Potential suspects included micro-fractures or necrosis, tissue death that can be caused by the chemo. Fortunately neither showed up on the test, however we did find out that Sally still has all three fractures, each at a different stage of healing.

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Last week Sally also got to hang out in the snow, I think she’s wondering why her butt is cold here. 

Yesterday we returned to Sloan Kettering for the first of two days of treatment to close out this cycle. If you’ve been following us for awhile, Sally used to end her cycles with two chemos – Daunorubicin and Cytarabine. Years ago, the cycle would include three straight doses of Cytarabine which lead to severe nausea for kids that most couldn’t handle. They then switched out two of the doses with Daunorubicin, which causes less nausea but can lead to heart damage/failure. Sally hit her lifetime maximum on Dauno, the plan was to get two days of the Cytarabine to close out each cycle for the remainder of her treatment. However back in September, Sally was having such a hard time that they decided to give her only a single dose and try for the double dose next cycle. Unfortunately Sally then suffered the seizures which lead to our recent two month “break” of less intensive chemo.

Yesterday morning we were mentally ready to start the two days of Cytarabine, however were caught off guard when Sally’s doctor informed us that they were only going to do one dose of it. Apparently the team had met and decided they were “really worried” about Sally being able to tolerate it, between the seizures and the broken leg, to risk the second dose. Nicole and I were not happy, as we have been cutting back so much of her treatment that we are becoming very worried about Sally relapsing, which has a high probability. We conveyed these thoughts and had an open discussion about the pluses and minuses of doing one day versus two. We were informed that the double dose could lead to severe long lasting nausea, Sally being neutropenic for an extended time, and potentially a long hospital stay. In addition, if she was to break her bone again and her counts were too low, she could bleed out if we didn’t get her to the hospital right away. In the end, we were told it was our decision, a life or limb one.

Nicole and I didn’t even have to discuss it, much like you see on that show House Hunters, we both just looked at each other and said “We should do two doses”. Sally’s risk of relapse is too high, and although every child is different we have been exposed to the ugly side of cancer too much recently (more on that below). We have reduced her chemo to let her body heal, however we know that we now need to push her body as hard as we can for the final six months. It was agreed that over the next two weeks we would bring her in 2-3 times/week to have her counts tested so they can keep a close eye on her. Sally usually tolerates one dose of Cytarabine well, so we will have to see if two doses causes additional side effects, which our doctors think they will.

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Little Miss Trouble was trying to mess with the IV machine. I’d yell at her, but she’s so darn cute.

As I write this the girls just got home, Sally was exhausted and went right to bed. It was a long day for her, before the chemo she had a scheduled IVIG transfusion. She fevered shortly after so had to be woken from a nap and have tests run on her to be cleared for the chemo. She also had an X-ray early this morning and a visit with the orthopedist about her leg. He feels that Sally should go back on steroids, even if they cause more damage to her bones as they are such effective Leukemia fighters. As he put it, “Sorry to put it bluntly, but she needs to be here to treat her leg.”  Another life or limb decision. Between a visit with an endocrinologist yesterday and the orthopedist today there is a discussion about giving Sally a bone density test, however that will need to wait until after treatment.

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Done with chemo for the week, put me to bed!

So now we just wait and see what this chemo does to Sally, she also had two doses of Thioguanine which her body doesn’t tolerate well and has been mostly removed from her treatment. We have to watch her very closely and have plans for bringing her in if need be. This week has been a stark reminder that despite Sally’s challenges, there are many who are suffering much more. Our little friend Erik, who has the same Infant Leukemia as Sally and just underwent a transplant at MSK, is really struggling. He’s been transferred to the PICU across the street at NYPH-Cornell with enlarged organs and has been intubated, having to be resuscitated earlier today. Many of you have donated blood and platelets to him, please continue your support with positive thoughts and prayers. Sally’s playmate Kylie, who has been battling Neuroblastoma and practically living at MSK for the last year was informed that the cancer has spread and may only have weeks to live. We can’t imagine what her family is going through right now, our thoughts are constantly on them. It has been almost exactly a year since our little buddy Mac passed away from the same disease.

Erik

Many of Sally’s supporters have donated blood and platelets to Erik, he now needs your prayers more than ever.

Kylie

Kylie and Sally have had moments of interactive play, a rarity for both, it pains us to see what she and her family are coping with.

This morning as I sat down at my desk and scanned through my Facebook feed, the first posts all lined up were an update on Erik not doing well, a post and photo about Kylie being in pain, a photo of Mac’s twin brother giving him a final kiss good-bye before he passed, and a photo of our friends’ son Ty in pain prior to his passing. It was overwhelming and I just lost it, with tears rolling down my face. Not so much sadness, but anger. More needs to be done for these kids, and when you see those faces lined up, it’s overwhelming. Nicole said the same thing happened to her this morning, we’re both suffering from a lot of anxiety and anger at what we continue to see in childhood cancer world.

It’s not OK.

Please keep Sally, Erik, Kylie, Mac’s family and Ty’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Matt

10 Responses

  1. Lalena
    Lalena February 5, 2015 at 11:05 pm | | Reply

    Sending love. These decisions are heartbreaking. I lost it yesterday like you. You are not alone. ❤️

  2. Carol
    Carol February 6, 2015 at 8:08 am | | Reply

    My prayers are with Sally and all of the beautiful little children that are fighting cancer. Keep strong.

  3. Megan
    Megan February 6, 2015 at 8:38 am | | Reply

    Prayers for Sally, her friends, and for all the parents who are making these life and limb decisions and bearing all that anxiety, pain and anger.

  4. Jennifer
    Jennifer February 6, 2015 at 11:08 am | | Reply

    Sending my most heartfelt prayers to you. I have found you through my husband’s cousin Camille. I have been following your journey and continue to think about Sally every day. You have made me very aware of the effects of childhood cancer. Thank you for sharing your story with others. Sally is a precious little thing and I look forward to her brave success story.
    xo
    Jennifer Panza

  5. Cheryl
    Cheryl February 6, 2015 at 11:28 am | | Reply

    It is NOT okay. And also not “rare.” You are all in my prayers.

  6. Debbie
    Debbie February 6, 2015 at 1:02 pm | | Reply

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of Sally’s friends and families going thru this unplanned, unacceptable way of life. I can’t imagine the heartbreak, fear, anxiety and anger that you go thru on a daily basis watching your child suffer. Some for months and years! Not only do we need to keep praying for Devine Intervention for these babies but we need to pray that our government starts putting priorities in place to provide more funding towards research and new drugs. I have faith and hope that Sally recovers from her cancer, whips its booty and grows up to be a happy healthy young lady who won’t remember a lot of what she has been thru. Here’s to you Sally, kick that ugly beast cancer to the curb!! <3

  7. Ethnea Runfola
    Ethnea Runfola February 6, 2015 at 7:16 pm | | Reply

    Many prayers & much love to Sally. the boys & mom & dad,
    Ethnea Runfola

  8. Daisy
    Daisy February 7, 2015 at 8:27 pm | | Reply

    prayers for Sally and her friends. Praying that Sally will be able to champion through all of her treatments and for her bones to heal. Prayers for continued research and better treatments for all the little ones. Continued strength and support for all of the parents.

  9. Sister Virginia
    Sister Virginia February 8, 2015 at 5:27 pm | | Reply

    So sorry to hear about the sufferings of these little angels. Know that aall of you are in our prayers.

  10. Colleen
    Colleen February 11, 2015 at 12:49 pm | | Reply

    Thinking about you all and praying for Sally and all the little humans suffering from the ravages of this awful disease. Peace, strength and hugs to all…cj

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