Saskia has been doing great the past few weeks. She did receive a couple of platelet transfusions. Doctors are still a bit puzzled as to why her platelets don't want to go up. The steroids she was on just prior to her previous chemo session did work as the platelet count went to about 70 which was an amazing result. The treating oncologist wanted to give Saskia another type of bloodproduct last week, which is supposedly better than the steroids, but suddenly her body "decided" to make a few herself, which is a little bit strange, but great news nonetheless.
Saskia has been in and out of hospital, mainly for the blood tests, but in between she managed to go to school and keep up with her social life. She starts to see her journey now more as a burden than ever and just wants to go on with life. Although the end of this stage of the journey is in sight, there are still a couple of major "roadblocks" to take.
This week on Wednesday she will have a CT and a bone scan while next week she will have an MIBG scan. These tests are to determine what effect the chemo treatments have had so far and to redirect treatment protocol if need be.
At this stage all we know is that there is one more chemo session to go through to finish the initial cycle; one major operation to remove all of the left over bits of tumour and all of the glands in the left side of her neck; one major chemo session to target the bone marrow and one radio therapy session (of 3 weeks) followed by maintenance treatment for about 5-6 months.
However this may all change depending on the outcome of these tests. Please keep praying for Saskia and all who care for her to not give up faith.
Saskia's Journey with Cancer
Monday 24 February 2014
Monday 10 February 2014
Our Super Hero!
Definition of Courage: The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without fear.
Saskia has shown us last week what an immeasurably courageous girl she is. She knew from past experience what her last week's treatment would be like. She was determined to not let that happen again. She did not want to remain in hospital and the only way to do that is to eat and drink, no matter how difficult it would be. And she did just that!
We are soooo proud of her. Even the doctors were amazed with what she did. To the extend that she was allowed home on Saturday morning. Feeling very tired and exhausted, but utterly contempt with herself that she did it.
She returned to school today, by the end of this week she will have a check-up. By the end of this month Saskia will undergo a range of tests (MIBG, CT and Bone Scan) to see what is left of her cancer. Thereafter there are two more chemo sessions, a stem cell treatment, one radiotherapy session (of 3 weeks), one operation and an undefined period of maintenance treatment.
We are absolutely certain that she was carried by all of your prayers and we thank God for giving her the strength and courage to face last week's evil. We are encouraged by all the well wishes, prayers, offers to help out and ask you to please continue doing so, especially now that we progress through the real hard part of her treatment.
Saskia has shown us last week what an immeasurably courageous girl she is. She knew from past experience what her last week's treatment would be like. She was determined to not let that happen again. She did not want to remain in hospital and the only way to do that is to eat and drink, no matter how difficult it would be. And she did just that!
We are soooo proud of her. Even the doctors were amazed with what she did. To the extend that she was allowed home on Saturday morning. Feeling very tired and exhausted, but utterly contempt with herself that she did it.
She returned to school today, by the end of this week she will have a check-up. By the end of this month Saskia will undergo a range of tests (MIBG, CT and Bone Scan) to see what is left of her cancer. Thereafter there are two more chemo sessions, a stem cell treatment, one radiotherapy session (of 3 weeks), one operation and an undefined period of maintenance treatment.
We are absolutely certain that she was carried by all of your prayers and we thank God for giving her the strength and courage to face last week's evil. We are encouraged by all the well wishes, prayers, offers to help out and ask you to please continue doing so, especially now that we progress through the real hard part of her treatment.
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