Madelyn Jill: February 11

Hi everybody! Madelyn had her monthly visit at Seattle Children's on Monday and all continues to be well. Her numbers were good:

RBC 39.2 WBC 2.5 Plat 265 ANC 1200

ALT is still in the "ok" range, but will continue to be monitored.

Dr Pollard decided to continue to push the chemo. Madelyn had another increase in her 6-MP chemo and based on the scary shortages of Methotrexate I don't suppose we will be seeing an increase in this drug anytime soon. Ugh, this is so scary. We don't know how it will effect us yet; I will keep you all posted.

If you aren't aware, hospitals nation wide are in short supply of Methotrexate. A drug that plays a major roll in Madelyn's treatment. They are in extra short supply of the preservative free type which they use for spinal taps. Madelyn is due for this procedure (Methotrexate in her central nervous system via spinal tap) on Feb 27th.

Here's a link to the story on ABC News & NY Times:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/critical-shortage-childrens-leukemia-drug/story?id=15557922#.TzcI4LGPUsI

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/health/policy/supply-of-methotrexate-a-cancer-drug-may-run-out-soon.html?_r=1&ref=health

She just finished her steroid pulse today and so far it has been ok. She missed a little school due to pain in her legs and jaw and constipation, but in the emotional and insomnia departments it was better.

We returned about 10 days ago from a fantastic trip with friends and family. My parents and two good friends of ours went with us to Hawaii. We rented a house on the beach. We all just relaxed, played and had big, long, boisterous meals together. It was really good for the four of us. I, in particular, have needed a little re-grouping time. It was hard to leave, but I am back and working on my personal projects with new vigor. Here are a few shots from the trip: