Everyday for the past 20 days, cancer has been treated by drinking a study medication called Venetoclax. The idea is that Venetoclax weakens cancer cells making it easier for chemotherapy to kill them. During this time, Ashtyn has not been given any additional chemotherapy drugs allowing researchers, and the rest of us, to see what affect Venetoclax alone has on cancer cells. On Thursday she will get a bone marrow aspirate and by Friday we will find out what effect the Venetoclax has had on her leukemia cells. If cancer cells have increased, maybe Venetoclax only weakened the cells preparing them for additional chemotherapy. Maybe we'll find that the bone marrow is still 60% cancer cells, the same as one month ago, which could suggest that Venetoclax killed and weakened some cells keeping them at bay. If there happens to be less that 60% leukemia cells in her marrow, then we can assume Venetoclax actually kills cancer cells as well as weakens them. I think it's fascinating. Whatever result we get, the plan is for Ashtyn to be admitted into the hospital on Friday for 24 hours to start a 28 day round of three chemotherapy drugs called Vincristine, PEG Asparaginase, and Dexamethasone. She has received those chemotherapy drugs before and has had great results in the past. We are hoping she will get cancer free quickly, especially with Venetoclax on board.
One of Ashtyn's questions to her doctor was whether or not she will lose her hair. Vincristine is the only chemotherapy drug she'll be taking in April that could potentially make her hair fall out. I think she's beautiful bald but it takes a really long time to grow her hair back. We'll hold onto hope that she'll be able to keep her hair this time or at least for awhile. A few weeks ago when we arrived in Seattle, Cheryl was a stranger who contacted me and was happy to do anything to help us out. She happens to own a hair salon and offered to do our hair. Wednesday Ashtyn felt well enough to get out and socialize. We drove to the beautiful suburb Redmond and met Cheryl. As she did Ashtyn's and my hair, we ate lunch, had a great conversation, and are now forever friends. When we returned to the RMH, Susan, who I've never met, had dropped dinner off at the front desk. It has been such a joy meeting the good people in Seattle. They have been such great examples to me. I want to do better at being aware of others I can reach out to. I want to be more inclusive by broadening my social circles and bringing more family and friends in. Thank you to everyone for bringing Ashtyn and me into your circle as you have kept us in your thoughts and prayers, as well as reaching out to us by delivering meals, packages, and letters. The only reason we appear strong is because of the help, prayers, and support we are receiving.
Ashtyn's is almost half way through her Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser that raises money for cancer research. She is almost 20% to her goal. If you could donate, like, and than share, we'd be so grateful. Thank you for everything.
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