Phoebe

Phoebe had her blood tested again yesterday, and the results are not what we were hoping for.  Her white blood count has now climbed to 65 - this confirms that after only 2 short weeks at home, her cancer is back.

We have a lot of questions and not many answers right now.  We know that because Phoebe has relapsed so soon after all of her chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant, that there are not many options for treatment of the disease.  The doctors have prescribed a mild chemotherapy drug to help to bring her white count down to within or close to normal range.  Allowing it to climb higher puts her at risk for stroke, and many many other complications.  The hope is that once it is lower there may be more of a chance for the Graft Vs. Leukemia effect to help rid her body of cancer.  Despite how small this chance may be, we are holding on to it with all that we have and praying for a miracle.  The devastating thing is that, once again, Phoebe is fighting for her life. 

In the meantime, we are following Phoebe's lead.  To see her you would never think that she is really so sick, she is happy and joyful.  She is Phoebe.  We are so devastated by today's news, and it is hard to put in to words just how we feel, but we are taking things one day at a time and enjoying every moment that we have with our family. We have learned throughout all of this that time is precious, no matter what the future holds.

Phoebe will have her blood tested again on Tuesday, and we are hoping and praying for better news;  that her white blood cell count has come down, and that she has signs of GVHD and therefore the Graft vs. Leukemia effect.  Please send Phoebe love and strength and keep her in your prayers.