1/3/12 - Bone Marrow results are in...

We had our first official clinic visit today - Consolidation 1 begins!  Haylee had to have an EKG and a repeat Echo cardiogram done.  I was a little irritated with that because she just had one on Wednesday.  A cardio RN came in and explained that the doctors ordered another one and that it happened often.  Both tests went fine.
We went up to the outpatient clinic and had a physical exam and labs drawn.  Haylee having a CVL line really helps so she's not having to be poked every time they need something from her or to give her meds.  She was pretty grateful for that!  The doctor came in a talked with me for a while about what to expect during the arsenic treatments - warning signs to look for and possible side effects (aside from the normal nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation that are possible with every other medication).  She also explained to me about the repeat Echo.  Haylee had a decrease in heart function, about 6%, although her heart function was still normal.  They said that it was probably because she had been fasting and had little to drink so she could've been a little dehydrated.  Because of the decrease was why it was repeated.  I felt a twinge of guilt since I got irritated about it but if they would've told me why then, I would've understood.  The arsenic can cause a disruption in electrolyte levels as well as heart function so at the beginning of every week, she will get an EKG, blood levels checked, and a BMP panel (potassium, magnesium, calcium, cholesterol, and triglycerides) checked.  Currently, her cholesterol and triglycerides are high but the doctor said the ATRA can cause that.  They will continue to watch it and if they have to treat her for it, they will if the time comes.
Now, her bone marrow results.....she is currently in remission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She has no leukemia cells in her bone marrow.  Her treatment plan will continue as normal but it shows that what they have already done is working and working very well!!  I started crying when they told me and Haylee said, "Mommy, don't cry!"  I had to explain they were happy tears and those were OK (LOL).  Her immune system is NORMAL.  It's the first time it's been normal since....sometime before she was diagnosed.  She doesn't have to wear her mask anymore!!!  She's doing great, her blood and bone marrow are great, she's responding well to treatment...we couldn't be happier!!!
We are still in need of all the prayers, thoughts, and support!  Haylee still has a long road, she still has a lot of treatment left, and it's possible she may have a few setbacks from time to time.  Every little thought, every small prayer...they all count and they count BIG in our eyes. 


WBC - 6480
Platelets - 364,000
HGB - 11.2
ANC (infection fighting cells) - 3270