Families face uncertainty when they are told that their child has leukemia, lymphoma or a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It is a time filled with new people and situations, worries and change.
It may help to learn that, because of new and better therapies, cancer survival rates for children have improved significantly during the last several decades. Physicians, nurses and researchers continue to search for the causes of childhood leukemia, lymphoma and MDS to develop better treatments, and to tailor therapies to decrease the toxic effects of therapy.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Oregon Health Science University
The Journey and Courage Through leukemia: Emotional roller coaster there is hope
EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER, THERE IS HOPE.
If your child has been diagnosised with Leukemia, or any other cancer, it is a immediate emotional blow to the entire family. You maybe thinking " this happens to other people not my family." When we arrived at the Children's Hospital, our family was directed to the tenth floor. Once in the elevator my wife and I noticed that floor ten was for oncology. This is kinda when it really began to set in, it seemed surreal at first. I will tell you now, we lived in the hospital for two weeks. Please take the time to research out your type of cancer. Be involved with the diagnosis and treatment. Most of all, keep a positive attitude . I will share more real soon.... I promise. Until then, I pray for peace and comfort, healing and courage for you and your family.
DIAGNOSIS / CANCER
McKenzies back ground story.
McKenzie was diagnosed with Leukemia type: Pre B cell A.L.L. on 9/11/07. The infamious 9/11 date that seems to bring sorrow. Her symptoms actually started about seven weeks before with a fever of 102 degrees and she was complaining of back pain. The Dr's took a strep throat test and it came out positive. After several weeks of antibiotics, that were partially responsive, she continued with a fever an several bone areas hurting. After two more trips to the Dr's office and more rounds of antibiotics, we requested that her blood be drawn and checked for any thing out of the ordinary.Once her blood was taken they immediately seen that her white and red blood cells were extreamly lower than that of a normal child. It showed that 59% Atypical cells were cancerous.
They rushed us to Doernbcker Children's Hospital in Portland Oregon. The Dr's wanted to life flight her at that moment, however, I did not want to scare my daughter and lucky for us the Hospital was only fourty five miles away. Our whole family drove up there and when we arrived their staff was waiting for us. I cannot say enough good things about Doernbeckers. My daughter and I now do fund raisers for the children who stay there.Sometimes children are there for months on end. I know if you are going through this with your child, it is a emotional roller coaster. I will share all of the details and hopefully answer some questions you maybe having. See you again soon.
McKenzie was diagnosed with Leukemia type: Pre B cell A.L.L. on 9/11/07. The infamious 9/11 date that seems to bring sorrow. Her symptoms actually started about seven weeks before with a fever of 102 degrees and she was complaining of back pain. The Dr's took a strep throat test and it came out positive. After several weeks of antibiotics, that were partially responsive, she continued with a fever an several bone areas hurting. After two more trips to the Dr's office and more rounds of antibiotics, we requested that her blood be drawn and checked for any thing out of the ordinary.Once her blood was taken they immediately seen that her white and red blood cells were extreamly lower than that of a normal child. It showed that 59% Atypical cells were cancerous.
They rushed us to Doernbcker Children's Hospital in Portland Oregon. The Dr's wanted to life flight her at that moment, however, I did not want to scare my daughter and lucky for us the Hospital was only fourty five miles away. Our whole family drove up there and when we arrived their staff was waiting for us. I cannot say enough good things about Doernbeckers. My daughter and I now do fund raisers for the children who stay there.Sometimes children are there for months on end. I know if you are going through this with your child, it is a emotional roller coaster. I will share all of the details and hopefully answer some questions you maybe having. See you again soon.
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