Yesterday, was Hannah's last day of the first DI. Her treatment is broken into phases. This last one, Delayed Intensification, or DI, is designed to deliver a "knock-out punch" to the remaining leukemia cells. It is brutal and because of her high risk status, she will get an extra loop of this more intense phase again in two months. It is a very important stage of treatment and we are so glad to have at least one of them behind us.
Yesterday was also unique in that for the first time, Hannah's ANC came back at zero. Which means she officially has no available immune response. Her lowest had been 21, which is unsettling in itself. Even I'm a little spooked at the zero number.
I just keep reminding myself that those numbers will come back up. The best thing I can do is to make her a germ free bubble to live in until then. She will start the next phase of treatment, Interim Maintenance #2, or IM #2, when her counts are above 750. So, she has quite a ways to go! I am putting my bets on two weeks, but they will check her next Friday, just in case.
IM is an easier phase of treatment and Hannah did pretty well on it last time. We are really looking forward to the small break. :-)
I will leave you with a picture of Hannah in an adorable hat sent to her from our friend Heidi. She is with Smacna, the most awesome group of people you could ever hope to meet. Thank you, Heidi!!
Yesterday, was Hannah's last day of the first DI. Her treatment is broken into phases. This last one, Delayed Intensification, or DI, is designed to deliver a "knock-out punch" to the remaining leukemia cells. It is brutal and because of her high risk status, she will get an extra loop of this more intense phase again in two months. It is a very important stage of treatment and we are so glad to have at least one of them behind us.
Yesterday was also unique in that for the first time, Hannah's ANC came back at zero. Which means she officially has no available immune response. Her lowest had been 21, which is unsettling in itself. Even I'm a little spooked at the zero number.
I just keep reminding myself that those numbers will come back up. The best thing I can do is to make her a germ free bubble to live in until then. She will start the next phase of treatment, Interim Maintenance #2, or IM #2, when her counts are above 750. So, she has quite a ways to go! I am putting my bets on two weeks, but they will check her next Friday, just in case.
IM is an easier phase of treatment and Hannah did pretty well on it last time. We are really looking forward to the small break. :-)
I will leave you with a picture of Hannah in an adorable hat sent to her from our friend Heidi. She is with Smacna, the most awesome group of people you could ever hope to meet. Thank you, Heidi!!