December 28, 2009 to January 3, 2010
Alisha made count with flying colors, so she was able to receive her scheduled chemotherapy on Monday and Peg-Asparaginase (two intramuscular shots on the thighs) on Tuesday. Her white blood cell count is slowly headed towards the normal range and no blood tranfusion was needed, which was a blessing!
Alisha constantly asks if her white blood cell count is back to the normal range, can she play at the park without her mask on? It was explained that both her white blood cell count and ANC will need to be in an acceptable range before her mask comes off. She's been a real trooper wearing the mask if she's outside and sanitizing her hands over a dozen times a day. She realizes that it pays to be super paranoid at this time in order to avoid catching germs.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Christmas
December 21 to 27, 2009
Christmas was greatly anticipated by the girls and they made certain that Santa had plenty of cookies and a glass of milk. Both of them kept on asking how Santa Claus fit through the chimney along with the toys and were happy that he finished the cookies and the milk. Santa brought a wooden cooking kitchen, Princess cashier box, books, Wii Guitar Hero 5 (not sure if it's more for the adult), globe, SpongeBob Squarepants legos, Ariel doll, DVD cartoons, etc.
Generous donors and volunteers from Miracles 4 Kids delivered a gift basket (more like boxes of food) filled with turkey, chicken, clam chowder, produce and a huge bag of toys. Alisha wanted to turn around and donate those toys to the less fortunate children since she claims that she already has plenty of toys.
Wish everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!
Christmas was greatly anticipated by the girls and they made certain that Santa had plenty of cookies and a glass of milk. Both of them kept on asking how Santa Claus fit through the chimney along with the toys and were happy that he finished the cookies and the milk. Santa brought a wooden cooking kitchen, Princess cashier box, books, Wii Guitar Hero 5 (not sure if it's more for the adult), globe, SpongeBob Squarepants legos, Ariel doll, DVD cartoons, etc.
Generous donors and volunteers from Miracles 4 Kids delivered a gift basket (more like boxes of food) filled with turkey, chicken, clam chowder, produce and a huge bag of toys. Alisha wanted to turn around and donate those toys to the less fortunate children since she claims that she already has plenty of toys.
Wish everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Make-A-Wish Events
December 14 to 20, 2009
The highlight this week included various events hosted by Make-A-Wish ranging from a holiday harbor cruise, b
reakfast with Santa and a visit to Santa Ana Zoo, which are desig
ned exclusively for children with terminal illnesses. Both of the girls enjoyed the cruise and seeing Santa arrive on a patrol boat was one of the highlights. Each of the Wish Children had a personalized Christmas gift and they were individually called up to take photos with Santa Claus. After Alisha received her present, we immediately went up another deck, but Ashley did not want to leave the 2nd deck in case they called her name to receive a present. Luckily, Make-a-Wish ensures that siblings of the Wish Child is also included, so the sibling received either a Barbie doll or Hot Wheels, which made Ashley's day. The warm chocolate drink with marshmallows on top and the carole
rs were a huge hit.
The Santa
Ana Zoo was well decorated and the girls kept busy riding the fancy carousel, which had a seahorse, hummingbird, panda, various horses, etc. After a light dinner (hot cocoa with marshmallows were available again), photos w/ Santa Claus, they drew, walked the maze, met some strange animals, worked on crafts, rode on the train and picked out a toy. The girls didn't want to leave, so they lingered around the play structure until it was too cold outside.
The highlight this week included various events hosted by Make-A-Wish ranging from a holiday harbor cruise, b
reakfast with Santa and a visit to Santa Ana Zoo, which are desig
ned exclusively for children with terminal illnesses. Both of the girls enjoyed the cruise and seeing Santa arrive on a patrol boat was one of the highlights. Each of the Wish Children had a personalized Christmas gift and they were individually called up to take photos with Santa Claus. After Alisha received her present, we immediately went up another deck, but Ashley did not want to leave the 2nd deck in case they called her name to receive a present. Luckily, Make-a-Wish ensures that siblings of the Wish Child is also included, so the sibling received either a Barbie doll or Hot Wheels, which made Ashley's day. The warm chocolate drink with marshmallows on top and the carole
rs were a huge hit.Santa's Village at South Coast Plaza was a fantastic event as well. The girls rode the reindeer carousel until they were content and Alisha kept on running back to take photos with Santa Claus. After breakfast, the girls were kept busy at the crafts table.
The Santa
Ana Zoo was well decorated and the girls kept busy riding the fancy carousel, which had a seahorse, hummingbird, panda, various horses, etc. After a light dinner (hot cocoa with marshmallows were available again), photos w/ Santa Claus, they drew, walked the maze, met some strange animals, worked on crafts, rode on the train and picked out a toy. The girls didn't want to leave, so they lingered around the play structure until it was too cold outside.Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Interim Maintenance
December 7 to 13, 2009Alisha made count and started her Interim Maintenance phase on the 7th. Last Friday, she did not meet the required blood counts in order to move forward with the procedure this Monday. However, we pleaded to keep the appointment to see if she would actually meet the minimum blood count on Monday. The nurse last Friday was very hesitant and was certain that Alisha will not make count by Monday and urged us to take a Wednesday appointment instead.
On Monday, the nurse practitioner who performed the procedure said it's very unusual that patients recover so quickly in such short amount of time. Thank you all for your continued blessings and prayers to make the impossible a possibility. The importance of this phase is that it marks the first day of the rest of her two-year treatment as far as we understand it. Technically, December 6, 2011 should be the last day of her treatment, but we shall see if everything works out that way. We are hoping that there will not be further delays.
Whenever Alisha has a free moment, she enjoys taking pictures...look above for a picture she took of herself as well as drawing and painting.
Whenever Alisha has a free moment, she enjoys taking pictures...look above for a picture she took of herself as well as drawing and painting.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Presents from Santa already?
November 30 to December 6, 2009
Alisha will be entering the next phase of treatment (Interim Maintenance), which will last 56 days. Interim Maintenance will begin on Monday, December 7th if she makes her platelet count as well as the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC). During this phase, she will be getting an increasing dose of IV Methotrexate every 10 days, which unfortunately causes mouth sores in a large percentage of patients along with various other chemo drugs.
Every morning, Alisha rushes downstairs and counts the number of presents under the tree and tries to sway her Mom in letting her open up presents. She also asked why Santa brought her and Ashley's presents early...Santa is busy and starts present deliveries early; however, presents will be taken away if they become naughty. Alisha proceeded to ask if Santa can "deliver a lot of food to the starving children in Africa" as presents for those unfortunate kids. She is quite compassionate and has regularly donated books and toys to non-profit organizations or the hospital.
Alisha will be entering the next phase of treatment (Interim Maintenance), which will last 56 days. Interim Maintenance will begin on Monday, December 7th if she makes her platelet count as well as the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC). During this phase, she will be getting an increasing dose of IV Methotrexate every 10 days, which unfortunately causes mouth sores in a large percentage of patients along with various other chemo drugs.
Every morning, Alisha rushes downstairs and counts the number of presents under the tree and tries to sway her Mom in letting her open up presents. She also asked why Santa brought her and Ashley's presents early...Santa is busy and starts present deliveries early; however, presents will be taken away if they become naughty. Alisha proceeded to ask if Santa can "deliver a lot of food to the starving children in Africa" as presents for those unfortunate kids. She is quite compassionate and has regularly donated books and toys to non-profit organizations or the hospital.
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