Tuesday, September 18. 2007
Bella's First Blog
On Thursday, September 13th I was diasgnosed with Leukemia. My doctors determined it to be "High Risk B-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia", commonly known as "High Risk B-Pre Cell A.L.L.".
The good news in all of this is that this type of Leukemia in children like me can be put in remission through lots of chemotherapy; and in many cases put in remission for life, meaning "cured". Also because it was caught so early they have not found any permanent damage to my major organs and insides, which can be another complication.
I started treatment Friday, and get chemotherapy consisting of six different medications each day. I have also received two blood transfusions so far (Bonka tries to tell me it's Kool Aid medicine!). Depending on progress of the treatments I will be in the hospital a minimum of four weeks, and will then return for periodic outpatient treatment for what the doctors are telling me will be a minimum of three years.
The doctors and nurses are wonderful in which they are so honest with me and all the other young children, but present evrything in a positive manner at my level of understanding. I understand that my body "has icky germs in it and will take a lot of medicine to get them all out". My child psychologist, Dave, will be visiting me Monday through Friday every week to play games.
They have told my family that keeping me as upbeat as possible is one of the biggest challenges to face. To help facilitate that, Uncle Jason, set up this website for me and my family. It's fully interactive allowing me, Mommy and Daddy to share updates and thanks from their side, and family and friends to send me wishes and prayers. Grammy and Mommy went to Target (my favorite store) and got lots of pretty things to decorate my room. I'll put some pictures up soon so you can see! I have more baloons than ever (but would love to get some more!!). Uncle Jason took some pictures when he was here the other day and you can see them, too - CLICK HERE!
I am fortunate to have a hospital the caliber of Cardinal Glennon so close to home, and that everyone is so willing and able to help. Bonka and Nama were watching Sissy and Baby Peyton since I got here because Mommy and Daddy are at the hospital with me basically 24 hours a day.
Taylor
The good news in all of this is that this type of Leukemia in children like me can be put in remission through lots of chemotherapy; and in many cases put in remission for life, meaning "cured". Also because it was caught so early they have not found any permanent damage to my major organs and insides, which can be another complication.
I started treatment Friday, and get chemotherapy consisting of six different medications each day. I have also received two blood transfusions so far (Bonka tries to tell me it's Kool Aid medicine!). Depending on progress of the treatments I will be in the hospital a minimum of four weeks, and will then return for periodic outpatient treatment for what the doctors are telling me will be a minimum of three years.
The doctors and nurses are wonderful in which they are so honest with me and all the other young children, but present evrything in a positive manner at my level of understanding. I understand that my body "has icky germs in it and will take a lot of medicine to get them all out". My child psychologist, Dave, will be visiting me Monday through Friday every week to play games.
They have told my family that keeping me as upbeat as possible is one of the biggest challenges to face. To help facilitate that, Uncle Jason, set up this website for me and my family. It's fully interactive allowing me, Mommy and Daddy to share updates and thanks from their side, and family and friends to send me wishes and prayers. Grammy and Mommy went to Target (my favorite store) and got lots of pretty things to decorate my room. I'll put some pictures up soon so you can see! I have more baloons than ever (but would love to get some more!!). Uncle Jason took some pictures when he was here the other day and you can see them, too - CLICK HERE!
I am fortunate to have a hospital the caliber of Cardinal Glennon so close to home, and that everyone is so willing and able to help. Bonka and Nama were watching Sissy and Baby Peyton since I got here because Mommy and Daddy are at the hospital with me basically 24 hours a day.
Taylor
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