September 26, 2014

Ella got to go home today after finishing her third round of chemo. Girl is crushing it!

She is halfway through her treatments at this point. She has a MRI on Oct. 7. The next three rounds will be tough. Sarah was told that they will have to bathe her every 6 hours while she’s getting one of her chemos. It’s apparently excreted through the skin. She gets it for two days and then it stays in her system for two more. 4 total days with baths every 6 hours. Good chance Ella won’t dig that.

Ella is also going to be featured in a local Kansas City magazine. She had a photo shoot today. (Pics below). The magazine is doing a story on one of the nurses and they want to use Ella as one of “the faces for pediatric cancer.”

Ella’s been doing well overall. Playing and having fun. (Except for when she got locked out of the play room. See her disappointment below).

September 21, 2014

High spirits on the crushing cancer train. Ella had her first real outing since getting sick last Wednesday  to Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Ella enjoyed being outside and imitating the noises the animals made.

She went in for clinic on Friday. Her blood counts were good, and she was admitted for round three of chemotherapy. Ella’s hemoglobin was 6.3 (they want it above 7), so she received a bag of blood today to replenish her red blood cells. Today is a “rest day” in her chemo treatment while they wait for the methotrexate to clear from her blood stream. (Her methotrexate level last night was better than expected. It looks like she is clearing it faster than the last tow rounds). She will likely continue treatment on Monday.

Until then, she is playing a ton, walking, dancing, and singing. She’s really digging Frozen these days.

September 16, 2014

Ella went to clinic today to have her kidneys and hearing tested. All is good! Though chemo can negatively affect her hearing, she is not showing any deficits. The audiologist said that everything is great.

She is still neutropenic, but Joe says that could improve a lot by Friday. Ella is scheduled for another clinic visit on Friday. If her counts have rebounded, she will be admitted for round 3 of chemo. However, if her platelets and white blood cells aren’t high enough, round 3 will be pushed to next week.

Another note of good news – Since Ella’s nasogastric tube was placed Thursday, she has gained almost one pound! Go Ella! She likely won’t gain a bunch of weight, but it’s better than losing it. She’s also been feeling well the last two days, playing hide-and-seek and acting like herself. All good news. She continues to be one tough little lady!

 

September 11, 2014

Ella went in for clinic on Tuesday. While there getting blood drawn, she she spiked a fever and had to be admitted. Joe, Sarah, and Ella have been at the hospital since.

Also, it was determined that Ella is losing too much weight. She’s not eating enough to maintain her already-low weight, so a NG Tube was put in today to supplement some calories. The tube goes in her nose, down her throat, and into her stomach. They will be giving her Pediasure every night from now on. The plan is to give her >70% of her daily calorie needs through her tube, and hopefully she will eat the rest, or more, on her own. Joe says she’s doing pretty well with the tube, and that it’ll probably be in for the next 4-6 months. (Most likely until chemo is over and maybe for a month after).

Discharge planned for tomorrow. They’re going to start some feeds tonight and see how she does. Let’s go Ella!

September 6, 2014

Crushing cancer, Round 2: Done! Ella went home on Friday after completing her second round of chemo. She was super excited to be set free. Dad says she’s been feeling great, has been eating a bit, and has played with everything in her room. Clearly happy to be home and enjoying the freedom after being stuck in her hospital room for a week.

She’ll be on isolation precautions for the rhinovirus until September 13th, which includes her routine visits to the clinic. But watch out world. After the 13th, Ella will be free to roam once again!

 

Sticker fun with mamma.

September 2, 2014

High spirits at camp Ella today. A late-day nap resulted in a super-spunky nighttime Ella, captured below. She is full of energy tonight! She has also taken a liking to mama’s wedding ring (photos below). Surprise, surprise…

Ella is scheduled to discharge from Round 2 of chemo this Thursday. Keep the thoughts and prayers coming!

Cheeeeeeese!

“Cuuuuute” she says, as she puts on mama’s ring.

September 1, 2014

Round 2 of Crushing Cancer: Ella has had a great couple days. She ate dinner for almost 3 hours straight yesterday!  Great news that she is eating well. She’s also been in a pretty good mood today — dancing to The Wiggles and watching Home Alone 2. (No idea if she’s seen Home Alone 1, but apparently she dug 2).

Ella started the second half of Round 2 of chemo today. She has two days of Round 2 left, and if all goes well, Ella and co. could possibly go home on Thursday. Let’s hope and pray that post-chemo goes better this time around and that they won’t be in and out of the hospital as much.

 

“Let’s crush this thing everybody!”

Eating everything in sight!