I ,(Melissa) talked with Sharon today and they seem to be holding up OK...considering. I am posting for now..... until Sharon or Jeff get to a point where they can take over. They are both overwhelmed with the schedule and the information that they are trying to consume at this time. She, Jeff and Julia are checking the site for your comments and I know that it means a great deal to them at this time! Thank you to each and everyone of you who are praying and offering your support!



We found out a little more today about the chemo treatments that Julia will be receiving this next 29 days. Sharon says... that this is the induction phase of the treatments. The Dr's are not talking much about what is beyond the next 29 days for now. Pray for Julia's little body to heal around the port area. They put the port for some of the chemo under her collar bone on her shoulder and you can imagine that this has been very disconcerting for an 8 year old, and it is very painful right now. Julia is having a hard time getting in and out of the bed and moving around in general. I know she must be sore from the bone marrow extraction and the spinal tap too but her discomfort is in the port area right now. So please pray for rapid healing in that area.



I found out today from Sharon that the results did show that the leukemia was in the bone marrow. However, they still send it off and examine it more closely for more detailed results and they will be getting those over the next couple of weeks. They also will be doing another spinal tap and bone marrow extraction on the 8th and 29th day of treatment according to Sharon's chart. So those results will continue to come in this month and will tell us if Julia is a rapid responder (which is what we need to pray for) or a slow responder...this is in response to the chemo treatments.



They began the chemo treatments yesterday during the surgery. Monday was Day 1. Apparently when they do the spinal tap they also give her a chemo treatment into the spinal chord. They do not think there are any leukemia cells in the spinal fluid at this time.... but if they do not treat that area then the leukemia could show up there later. Julia also received a chemo treatment through the port site last night.


So they will be treating the blood, the bone marrow and the spinal fluid (as I understand it).There are several methods of chemo treatments and a complicated schedule, Sharon and Jeff have alot to keep up with at this time.....I will try and list the schedule below for prayer purposes on the specific days...



Day 1, 8, 15, 22...they give her chemo through the port...(only a few cc's)

Day 4 or 5... she receives a chemo shot

Day 8, 29...another spinal tap and bone marrow extraction (chemo injection into spinal chord)

Days 1 - 28 ... steroid pills 2 X's a day for the 28 days (causes hunger and bloating)



I asked Sharon if the Dr's think she will get nauseous during this phase of the chemo, but they told them that pediatric patients usually do not have the nausea (they can ...but not usually) during the first 30 days. We will pray and claim that!

I am sorry if this is confusing...it is alot of information to share. Some of this may change as they go along but this is what the schedule is on Sharon's chart for now.

On a positive note.... Julia had a fairy godmother from Ireland come to visit her today in the hospital. (In honor of St. Patrick's day) and they had a couple of other visitors as well. I know that cheered her up some or at least got her mind of off things for a little while.

Please continue to pray for God's healing, a rapid response to the chemo, healing for the port site,.... peace, rest and strength for Sharon, Jeff and Julia.....a hedge of protection from other germs around all those that are with and around Julia..... the Doctors to have clarity of thought and good direction.

Your prayers are precious to us and much appreciated! Thank you every one!