Howdy all! Well, the six week hiatus is over and today we began the long haul on Bella’s road to recovery. We’re optimistic that between our wonderful prayer support team and Bella’s strong sense of humor and patience, Bella shall fly through the next round of treatment. We’ll dive into treatment detail in a bit – first some updates and previews of things to come.
Foremost, we certainly could not have survived our first round without the amazing support of so many friends, family and organizations. Even in this challenging new lifestyle, in many ways, we are far better off as a family than before. Amongst many other gifts, we’ve grown closer, humbler and stronger with Christ and with each other; we each have garnered a different view on living and the important roles family, friends and church play in all of our lives; we discovered that a “small community” mindset can exist in Orange County, California, in which a small nucleus of caring, giving individuals provide thoughtful, selfless and abundant support and/or rally up support far beyond the community (the prayer and help for Bella and our family has crossed borders into so many states as well as into Canada, Europe and Asia!).
One of the greatest gifts we’ve received is a kinship with an amazing young lady and her family who are forging a far more difficult battle than our own. You’ve seen both Valerie and I post information regarding the Never Ever Give Up! (NEGU) Foundation, founded by the Rees family. Jessie Rees and her parents, Pastor Erik and Stacey have been such an inspiration to us in holding strong to our faith and trust in our doctors – a gift that has carried us through many tearful nights. We pray for the Rees family numerous times throughout the day and will celebrate when Jessie reaches her goals with NEGU and NEGU CARES (C.reate Awareness of Courageous Kids; A.ssist Parents; R.aise Funds for Research; E.ncourage Courageous Kids; S.upport the NEGU Lifestyle).
If you’re available, and would like to help us support one of our support beams, please join us at the NEGU Gala where Bella will be recognized as one of the courageous NEGU kids. This promises to be an amazing evening featuring many courageous NEGU kids, the Rees family and even a special, exclusive performance b John Tesh! Click NEGU Gala to find out more information, purchase tickets or sponsor a table.
You may have notice that our look on Blogger.com has received a face-lift thanks to the Cavaglieri family. We’re going to anchor many new facets to our communication on this blog. While we’ll maintain a redundant blog on Caring Bridge, many features and opportunities to support our journey will be exclusive on Tale of Bella (taleofbell.blogspot.com) such as pictures, videos, links to cancer research and opportunities to support cancer research or the Nordrum family (there are rumors of an opportunity to win and iPad2 – stay tuned!).
This next round of therapy actually began on December 12th with Bella’s first MRI since September. We received the results later that day which caught us very much by surprise. Our doctors had prepared us not to expect much in the order of results, i.e. if the tumor stays the same size, this is great news; if it shrinks a little, better news; if it has grown, well… Naturally, with the phone call coming so soon we were in shock with what was revealed.
You’ll have to forgive us for delaying the news about this. Our chief and only intention in delaying this announcement was out of sensitivity to the thousands of other children who also receive news on their progress however not always so positive, especially precious Jessie and the Rees family. While we are cautiously cheerful, we received the best Christmas present a parent could ever ask for: proof the treatment is working. Through the gift of prayer, God’s grace of modern medicine and gifted physicians, Bella’s treatment reduced the tumor in size by nearly 75% to a mere 4 millimeters! Praise Him and bless Dr. Williams, Dr. Shen, Dr. Pathare, Miss Julene and the many nurses, technicians and support staff that brought this medical miracle to fruition.
Again, we’re cautiously optimistic about this result. We have many hurdles to still overcome and numerous outcroppings of delayed side-effects that will follow Bella for the rest of her life. While praying for Bella, please do pray for the thousands of children battling cancer and inspire them to NEGU…especially pray for Jessie who’s strength and vision brings Joy, spirit and hope to so many. Lord, please bless the Rees family with comfort, joy and results with which you have chosen to bless us!
This brings us to today. We received our call this morning just before 8:00 am and checked in at 11:00 am. Bella was admitted with the usual procedures and they began hydrating her via IV. After the very important (and likely the most powerful drug in all of Bella’s treatment), Jody Therapy, Bella wanted to go to the playroom for some air-hockey (we have been so grateful for the awesome and hilarious bond between Bella and Dr. Pathare…thanks Jody!). After Daddy lost two games straight, Bella moved on to some arts and crafts. We now have a virtual zoo of pipe cleaner animals including a lizard, bat, two bees, raccoon, butterfly, tiger, hippo and a gaggle of candy canes. Crafts ensued throughout the day and evening in between intense games of Jenga and Connect Four.
The therapy that began today was day one of 29 days of six cycles (the cycle restarts each 29th day). This treatment includes (click on drug name for more details) Isotrentinoin (aka Accutane….see previous blog for details), Cisplatin, Vincristine and Cytoxan. Today, Bella received the one of two doses of Vincristine she receives each cycle as well as the only dose of Cisplatin and the initial dose of Accutane. Tomorrow and Thursday, Bella will receive the Cytoxan doses. On Friday, we have to begin giving Bella the Filgrastim (Neupogen or GCSF) that she really doesn’t like to get and we really don’t like to give it to her. This is a shot of chilled liquid medicine that is quite painful to receive. This and Accutane doses are administered at home after the four days of in-hospital treatment, in addition to weekly visits to the Cancer Clinic for blood work and general exam.
This regimen forms our lifestyle for approximately the next six months…a long voyage indeed and, at times, a challenging course. But we’re confident your prayers and love will continue providing fair winds at our backs, leading us along to a promising outcome!
In addition to your prayers for Bella’s compatriots in their individual battles for cancer, please do continue to pray for Bella’s comfort during her treatment. We understand that this regimen will make her very tired, and, most likely, very nauseous. Pray for our strength so we can care for Bella better than the best we can. Bless and thank you all so very much.
News to come: new Meal Train dates; iPad opportunity; NEGU Gala; home schooling info; ways to support others in the battle against cancer.
Deuteronomy 31:6
This is from Rebecca Pazmino. They are missionaries in Ecuador. Their daughter was in our kindergarden class. She tried to post a comment but couldn't.
ReplyDeleteWe're thrilled with Bella's positive progress! Please know that your prayer coverage extends to South America, too. Our daughter Elizabeth was in kindergarten with Bella for the end of that school year, and she prays faithfully for Bella's healing.
Love in Jesus,
Pablo, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Johanna Pazmino
Pablo y Rebecca Pazmiño
Guayaquil, Ecuador