Elizabeth's Story: Today's Chemo, AFP, and Tomorrow's Consult

Elizabeth's Story

...previously an update for friends & family about Elizabeth Hill and her fight against her childhood cancer acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas
...now a place for remembering the fiesty princess she was.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Today's Chemo, AFP, and Tomorrow's Consult

Today Elizabeth had Day 2 chemo administered. To say she didn't want to get chemo today would be the understatement of the year. We're just happy she didn't succeed in pulling out her Hickman chest catheter during her "fit of rage". Perhaps Dad will need to accompany Elizabeth on her next round of chemo (she may need more before surgery... keep reading) and Mom will stay home with Matt and Danny.

We got the AFP results from yesterday's blood draw. The AFP is up to 2390 from 859 on May 3. We don't know what this means yet because we haven't talked to Dr. Marcio about it. We are expecting to talk to him tomorrow after our surgery consult. It's hard not to panic, but panicking wouldn't do any good and would probably be for nothing anyway. We could be seeing simple, not extraordinary, fluctuations. Perhaps this just means we will do more chemo before surgery. Hard not to think about all the "what-if" scenarios with all the different paths this thing can take, but we're trying to take it all day-by-day... Dad is much better at that than Mom is!

We are meeting Dr. Stein tomorrow about Elizabeth's surgery and discussing what our options are. He is the head of the pediatric surgery department at Children's Hospital. We are still waiting to hear from Dr. Farmer at UCLA, Elizabeth's head surgeon from her first surgery. Dad dropped off the most recent CT scan images for him at UCLA on Monday and we were expecting to hear from him late this week. I guess that means tomorrow since we haven't heard from him yet.

No one ever promised us this wouldn't be a roller coaster ride! Just when we think we are doing better, we hit that peak and start plummeting down again!!! We're praying this AFP rise is simply a small set back in the grand scheme of things. Afterall, there are only two possible long term outcomes and all that matters is which one happens. This little stuff won't make much of a difference!

Keep praying... we still need prayers.

2 Comments:

At 9:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It sounds like it has been an emotionally draining up and down kind of a week. I just wanted to let you know I am sending prayers and strength and all kinds of positive thoughts your way. I hope the little princess is feeling better after the difficulties she had today. I would imagine the frustration must build up with her too. Hugs and love to all. Hang in there...You are all an inspiration of strength and grace.

 
At 5:51 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hang in there, guys. The ups and downs are treacherous, but God knows what's happening. I know that's not too much comfort, but take refuge in the fact that you have friends all over the world putting prayers in for you. Hugs and prayers to the whole family. You are my inspiration, Elizabeth!

 

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