Alleluia

And today felt like a big heavy weight was lifted from our lives. All tests showed that there was no neuroblastoma left in her body! The left over bits from both operations were completely gone.
There are a thousand things that goes through our minds and a thousand more we want to write and share, but at this moment all we can do is whisper "thank You Lord" a thousand times, because those words say it all.

Are we there yet?

And now we are eagerly awaiting what the final outcome is. The last few weeks Saskia has been recovering from her last session. Yesterday she had another bloodtest which showed she needed a platelet transfusion. We also spoke with the oncologist about the way forward.
Next week monday Saskia will have a CT scan of her neck area, followed by an MIBG scan over Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. If all goes well we should have the all- clear on Thursday, whereafter she will be monitored/scanned once a month for an undefined period of time.
Today Saskia went finally back to school, but had to leave early as she complained about pain behind her eyes. She has this pain now for several days, but the doctor said that it was most likely a bug which was going around. However after the pain today, we were advised to bring her back in hospital for another blood test and some further eye examinations.
The bloodtest showed that her haemoglobin levels were quite low (yesterday as well, but not low enough for a transfusion) and so she had to have another transfusion today. Her eyes were tested as well and tomorrow she will have to see an eye specialist.

In Holland we have an expression "de laatste loodjes wegen het zwaarst", which freely translated means "the last weights weigh the heaviest" (I'm sure there is an English saying for this, but not sure which one). This is certainly the case here. Over the course of the next week, she will be every day in hospital either to be seen by a specialist or to run a test.

Let's all keep our prayers up that next week Thursday we hear the good news.

Four sessions done

Last weekend Saskia had her fourth and last chemo session. The treatment was as expected: sick and difficult, but Saskia managed to stay strong so she was allowed to go home every day!
Over the course of last week she slowly recovered and even managed to partake in the school photo shoot. Last Friday she was back in hospital for a blood test and all looks to be ok.
Next wednesday she has to be back in hospital again and then we will also hear from the doctor what the following steps are. We do know that she will have a test done within the next weeks or so to see the results of the chemo, but what test we do not know yet.
If all goes well, she can go back to school next term!

Counting down for the last chemo

Although it will not be the end of the journey, at least a very rough section will be over. Friday 8 June to Sunday 9 June will be Saskia's final chemo treatment. She has been on regular checks in the hospital last week and her blood count is coming up again. So all is set for next weekend...
We all cannot wait to get it over with. Saskia is so eager to get back to school. If all goes well, that should be possible next term which means she only lost one term which is not too bad if you're in year 5.
Please carry her in your prayers for this last section and please do not forget about Graham as well. His radiotherapy completed last week.