Sunday, January 18, 2009

We've Decided....


So.... we along with our Oncologist decided the best thing for our daughter, considering all of the options, would be to just watch her lymph nodes that are enlarged. So here is a brief look into the next couple of years for us. This Wednesday we will be taking her back up to the Children's Hospital for same day surgery to have her Broviac Tube removed. We are so glad that she had this line in place during all of her blood draws and treatments. It has saved her from getting poked several times a week. We are also glad to have it removed because, this means no more bandage changes, cap changes or line flushes (I am very good at it though and would be more than willing to walk anyone through the process if they ever needed to care for a line). It also means that we will be able to resume regular bathing, I think she will be just as excited about that as we will be. She begs to get in the tub whenever one of her siblings is taking a bath. For the next year, we will take her in for blood draws monthly and every three months she will have another MRI and chest X-ray along with an Oncology Exam. The second year she will resume blood draws every three months and MRI and chest X-rays every six months. Following the second year she will continue to have Oncology exam regularly. Everything the Oncologist said after the two year mark gets a little hard to remember, we were just trying remember what the next two years holds! I do remember her saying that once she passes the two year mark they stop worrying so much about the cancer itself, and start focusing on the damage done to her body from the cancer treatment process instead. Let me first say that I am so thankful for the medicine that was used to treat her cancer and its effectiveness on the shrinking of her tumor, however I pray that in the near future they will be able to find a different type of treatment that is just as effective or more effective and will not be as harmful to the patients being treated. Again, thank you everyone for your constant words of comfort and prayers for our family. We will continue to give updates on her progress!

10 comments:

Janae B said...

We are so grateful for the doctors and for great parents who have watched over her so closely. This has been a faith promoting experience for us and we will continue to excercise it and keep you all in our prayers. We are so grateful that she will be free of the line. She'll love those baths again.

havelld said...

I cried when I heard the tumor is gone. We are all so happy and hopeful for more successes for Alyssa!
Katherine Havell

Kent Ottley said...

So grateful for this news. I think it is time to dance a little more but no, we will not stop praying. We love you guys. The Ottleys/Stocks

Angie said...

It was so good seeing you at the temple. This is great news. Good bye broviac line!!!!!!

miss patti said...

I'm so happy to hear all of your good news! You have been an inspiration to me as I have followed your blog and been able to feel of your strength. Thanks so much for sharing so much of your experience with all of us.
You are still in my prayers - Miss Patti

Tara said...

Yea, party in the bath!!!! We are so glad she is doing well! You will continue in our prayers! Can't wait to see those pictures.

Wendy said...

Oh I am so happy for your family! She is such a little fighter and so cute! By the way a few pictures are up on the blog! www.vizionphotography.blogspot.com
more to come soon!

Anonymous said...

Our prayers are steadfast. So very glad to hear the wonderful news. What a relief! Our hearts our smiling.

Anonymous said...

love you guys so much!

Sarah said...

I'm so happy to hear all your good news. Your family has constantly been in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your story and keeping us updated!