Consolidation

   We are now into the third week of “Consolidation Phase” of Chemo.  Apparently this stage will last approximately 8 weeks and heavy doses of chemo are given much like “induction phase”.  The side affects from this stage are starting to rear their ugly head.  Nausea is setting in in full force.  Haley had already lost a startling 33 lbs during the “induction phase”, which we now refer to as the dark days, so it is difficult for her to gain weight when she can’t keep anything down.  (She fits into Kayla’s jeans, crazy, I know, Kayla just turned 11 last month . . .eek . . .)  This is still nothing compared to the dark days . . . but then again we are only into week 3 of consolidation . . . stay tuned . . .

Haley's Family

The best and most beautiful things 

in the world cannot be seen or

even touched.  They must be 

felt with the heart.

Phase 2 Begins

After 28 brutal days of chemo treatments and every side effect you can image, Haley has successful completed the ”Induction” phase of her treatment. It is unbelievable that we have made it over a week without having to go to the ER  . . . yay!  It has been a rough road at home though.  She is on an IV antibiotic that we hook up every 8 hours and it runs for about two hours.  The whole thing is quite a process . . . a sterile process . . . and it is a little bit nerve racking having to sanitize the lines and syringes and making sure the tips never touch anything and stopping her IV as soon as it is done to prevent air getting in the line and her port clotting.  It has been very stressful to say the least . . . whew . . . now we know why they call it a marathon.  I feel like I run one every single day.  When we brought Haley home from the hospital on Thursday her ANC was 400 she needs 750 to start phase 2.  This morning the nurse came and drew her labs and we just received a call from the doctor a few minutes ago.  They are shocked . . . Haley’s ANC is an unbelievable 3100 . . . wow!!! Normal is 1500-7000 so she is midrange normal.  Doctors can’t believe it.  So she will start phase 2 full board tomorrow.  We are not sure what phase two entails.  More details to come . . .