Belle Has Started Chemo
October 29th, 2009
I’m going to list the updates from Tuesday and Wednesday to keep you apprised of Belle’s condition.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 2:54 PM, EDT
I spoke with the Dr. this morning. Belle’s head looks clean where the tumor was; however, she does have one spot on her spine. She does not appear to have any cancer cells in her spinal fluid at this point, which is good. Because of the spot on her spine she is grouped into the High category (I can’t think of the other word I’m looking for.) She will receive standard chemo with an extra dose of something because the cancer has metastized. I’m not trying to confuse you all, just know that the chemo treatments are going to be extremely tough and hers will be even more so. We are being admitted tonight, and she will receive her first round of chemo tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Pray that her little body can withstand the drugs and that she will have very little side affects. Also pray that this chemo will make the spot on her spine go away! If that happens we may not have to look at radiation down the road. Thanks as always, for your prayers.
Kelley
We are all grateful that the spot on her spine does not contain cancer cells at this time. We are praying it never will have cancer cells in the spinal fluid. Please continue to pray for this little girl and her family during this trying time.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:26 PM, EDT
As I was reading the entries on the guestbook part, one of our praying friends was not sure about Belle’s diagnosis. I’m not sure if we ever put the formal name of her brain tumor on here, but she has been diagnosed with a choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC). It is an extremely rare tumor with less than 200 cases diagnosed per year. It affects older people or children (ages 24 to 36 mo.) Our Dr. here at St. Jude actually follows survivability rates of brain tumor patients, but even he did not know statistics on her type because it is so rare. There are children who survive with CPC. Her best chances would be if the tumor is totally resected in the brain, which it was; however, the concern with her is that it has spread to her spine. CPC is a very aggressive tumor and can come back. I DO believe that God can heal her, and that is why I am so thankful for your many, many prayers.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:30 PM, EDT
I’m sorry it’s late, but this is the first chance I’ve had to update. Belle started her chemo at 2 p.m. today. So far she is doing well. She has been up playing all day which has kept me on my toes. Because she is hooked up to an IV, she can’t get far from me and the IV pole. That has proved to be somewhat challenging (more for me than for her). I just have to be with her every second. Fortunately, she took a nap so I could do a few things (like shower and eat.) My sister-in-law, Jennifer, surprised us today. She was passing through on business. It was great to see her for a little bit.
For those of you who may want to know, Belle is receiving high dose methotrexate through her IV for 24 hrs. Once she reaches 42 hrs. she will receive a drug called Leucovorin. It is considered a “rescue” drug because it is taken in an effort to “rescue” the normal cells in the body from the side effects of the methotrexate. Yes, it sounds like a vicious cycle.
Pray that she has little side effects and that the cancer would respond to the chemo. Pray also that she continues to be the cute, fun-loving little girl that she is. One of the interns said today that Belle was the cutest patient she had ever seen!
Kelley
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:43 PM, EDT
Today was Belle Belle’s first day of chemo. Kelley told me that she will receive it for 24 hours straight. I know that one of Kelley’s biggest challenges is keeping that little bugger still. She is an active little girl. I am sure that by now every nurse in the hospital knows her name.
The kids and I are doing pretty well. I have noticed that the kids are showing some signs of strain and anxiety, so I am trying to make home life as stable as possible. So many of you have ministered to us in the last couple of weeks and helped us tremendously. A church in Memphis has already helped Kelley to supply the new apartment with everything she would need. God is looking after us in ways that we can’t see or comprehend, but the ones that we can see are awesome.
Love you all,
David, Kelley and Belle Belle
We appreciate any and all prayers for a complete healing for little Belle, and for her brother, sisters and Dad to be able to adjust to Mom and Belle not being home. This is such a young family.
Written by Jeanette
Posted in Belle
