Home Sweet Home

Update: Sunday, May 28, 2023 - 4:00pm

Julia was released to come home after her last chemo for the week and showed favorable test results. We received some great news that made this happen: her last blood work showed "0-zero" blasts (malignant cancer cells in her body), her body produced "1-one" platelet on its own (I literally got goosebumps hearing this), and the lumbar fluid showed no cancer cells had entered the spinal fluid. Praise the Lord!

Because these chemotherapies are so aggressive, they burn through the blasts but also through her normal defense system that helps her fight any other viruses and infections. Her entire immune system is being wiped out basically. This will continue for another 21 days. The next phase is the maintenance part. Due to her system being wiped out, we have to keep her in a bubble with NO VISITORS until her body is able to start creating good cells and rebuild her defenses.

So far, she has been doing great at home, sleeping 10-12 hours and eating a lot (Cheetos puffs & noodles) as steroids make her hungry. Julia is in good spirits, playing with Barbies, babies, and doing some arts and crafts.

Thank you all who have prayed for our little sunshine, Julia! We have felt the favor and grace of God in the big details, such as her spinal fluid being clear, and even in the smallest things, like her producing 1 platelet on her own. We are so blessed to be surrounded by many of you. We are beyond thankful!

Prayer Requests ;

• Julia to continue taking all her medications well, with minimal side effects.

• Her bowel movements. She has always been constipated, and one of the chemos causes constipation. She is currently on laxatives, and we need consistent and healthy bowels.

• This week's schedule consists of: Tuesday 5/30 - getting plugged in to her chest port (1st time after leaving the hospital), blood test (🙏🏼 favorable results). If she's low on platelets, she will need a transfusion for the next day's procedure. Wednesday 5/31 - lumbar puncture (fasting since 12 am, procedure after 11 am), chemo via spine (minimal side effects).

• My heart to continue staying strong and looking ahead at Jesus. It is easy to become overwhelmed by emotions.

Thank you everyone for your love and prayers. It means the world to us right now.

In God we trust!

FYI - here is a picture of the chest port, which helps little ones get connected to their meds/transfusion without having to have their arms/hands veins picked during procedures. This stays there for the length of her treatment (around 1-2 years).