Coming to terms with the treatment plan....
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks

« | February '19 | » | ||||
Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
1 | 2 | |||||
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
Posted by Steph in
Chemo Round 4, Cord Blood, Feelings, on Monday, January 1. 2007 at
I think I am coming to terms with the plan Dr. Finlay and Dr. Etzl have for Asher's treatment. No word directly from Finlay via email (and no answer or call back at his office), but we have talked more with the clinic nurse and Dr. Etzl. Since Asher has (we believe) no visible tumor, two rounds of chemo plus one at the end that "kills everything" is "plenty" before transplant. That is what the doctors discussed and what they believe makes sense. I think it is making sense to me, too.
We have not done radiation to date. I hope to never do radiation. But, since we have not done it, it is still an option.
Transplant is not a once-in-a-lifetime thing. If Asher's tumor / cancer would come back, and another transplant was recommended, if he did not have enough of his own stem cells we could go to other sources. I've already decided we will be keeping / banking our newest baby's cord blood; baby is due in late July 2007. I'll never forget the four times my OB asked if I wanted to bank Aubree's cord blood and how I said no each time and how I wondered why she was asking so much and why she never asked with Asher or Alexa....I'm not sure how much it costs, but add it to the costs we have to save our son's life. Priceless, as far as I am concerned. The money will come from somewhere.
I think I have come to terms with everything....1 1/2 more days before we begin....till then, only one night left of 2006. A year that has brought a lot of pain, a lot of joy, a lot of miracles, and a lot of love. I am filled with tears as I let go of the 2006 pain and begin 2007 with hope.
Happy New Year to everyone reading!
Shawn - #1 - 2007-01-01 04:24 - (Reply)
Praying for you and your family in the days and months ahead.
~Hugs~
Shawn
Tracy Marie - #2 - 2007-01-01 06:37 - (Reply)
We are praying for all of you as well, Steph! Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year for all of you and especially for Asher to be completely healed.
(((HUGS)))
Tracy Marie
Wendy Dellis - #3 - 2007-01-01 15:30 - (Reply)
Thought this Christmas card poem written by a childhood neighbors' mother was worth sharing:
A Grand Opening
I saw the sign as I drove by,
"Grand Opening" it said.
Weeks later I drove by the same place.
Again, the sign, "Grand Opening".
Then one day, I walked past the store
and I could see two small words
at the bottom of the sign,
"Every day".
They have a celebration every day.
Why, they celebrate the ordinary day!
The ordinary day, devoid of trauma, free from shock.
The ordinary day, with its small cares, its buffered pain.
The ordinary day with its sameness, its tedium.
But...
Ordinary day, let me cherish you, treasure you, hold you close, for some day perhaps, out of ordeal or pain or sorrow, anguish or torment,
I will long for you with the deepest longing of my heart,
and I will want, more than anything in all the world, your return.
By Marta Berg
Praying for you in 2007....
Connie & Benjamin - #4 - 2007-01-01 18:51 - (Reply)
Happy New Year... I hope this year is filled with healing, growth and lots of love. I know you can fit some smiles in there too. My thoughts & prayers are with you guys!
Mary alice - #5 - 2007-01-01 20:28 - (Reply)
2001, our first year for Liz...surgery, loong chemo, daughter graduating, off to college without me taking her, like you leaving kids at home long periods...thought we would never get to it...now, we are at year 6. It happens with lots of hard work and faith..and, IF you ever get to the point you have to radiate, Asher will be older, and we will still be here with you.. I dread your beginning again, but, on you go, bravely. You have my prayers and love from Virginia.. i also bet Finlay will answer himself after the Holidays..he is the best, he knows what he is doing..
Cord blood a great idea...and, the love that baby brings as well.
you are in my thougths..
Mary alice
Sinead - #6 - 2007-01-02 00:26 - (Reply)
Lots of prayers to your family. Michelle keeps all of us at TDC informed about Asher's progress and treatment, and I wanted you to know that you're in our prayers!
Brandie - #8 - 2007-01-02 19:28 - (Reply)
Our prayers will continue into 2007 for you and your family. Hopefully your rollercoaster year will be filled with many more up days than down days! Wishing you much love and strength for the new year!