Journal of a Baby's Fight Against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Sept /97
Before the final diagnoses. For about three weeks this little one started showing signs of being something wrong. She went from running to limping at times and pain to eventually collapsing. All x-rays were taken, with no signs of anything wrong and mother and child were sent home with that famous line "There is nothing wrong with the child".
Sept. 21, 1997
Knowing in her heart something was wrong with the child, the Mother took her to emergency. There they took the standard tests .. Blood and etc.
Sept. 22, 1997
Mother receives phone call from hospital. She is to admit Mikayla into the hospital. They want to run tests for Leukemia. And then the normal world as Mikayla and her family once knew turned upside down and inside out. Mikayla is poked with needles and fingers and she isn't too happy with all this poking and pain.
Sept. 23, 1997
She is prepared to go into the operating room. After being put under they remove bone marrow for testing. Rest of day was pretty well slept away. Doctors come in with results .. the worse fear was realized .. she had Leukemia.
Sept. 24, 1997
Preparation again for the operating room. This time they did a spinal fluid removal and put in a tube into her tummy and chest. This tube will be left in until she has fully recovered from Leukemia. This was a very bad day for her .. much pain. And to finish off the day .. they started her chemo treatments.
Sept. 25, 1997
The day wasn't too bad, but trying to get food into her is impossible. They say that all food tastes like metal after the treatments. She is continiously given more medication. It isn't so bad now as it goes into her tube except for a shot in the leg.. (with a needle that she must have thought was 6 inches long) *smile* .. But we don't know how this medication makes her feel after she is given it .. so it could be very sickening to her. Her Auntie Dawn and Uncle Ken came to see her tonight .. but she was sleeping. oh she looks so sweet when she is sleeping.
Sept. 26, 1997
Today is a bad day. Don't look at her .. she is mad at the whole world. Food is even harder to get into her today .. it comes out of the mouth faster then we can try to get it in. But after a nap, she was happy to go play for awhile in the playroom. Her Aunt Deana and Uncle Dan came to visit. They brought lots of new toys, so they were welcomed by her after she saw the toys. *hehehe* The day didn't end so well .. she still is mad at the whole world. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. So far things are looking good. The Doctor was in to talk today and she is showing no bad signs of the treatments not working (fever and such). He said they will be doing a bone marrow test again in a little over a week. Poor baby.
Sept. 27, 1997
Another bad day. The medication they are giving her has totally changed this sweet quiet baby to a screaming, tantrum throwing, mad little baby. The nurses say it is very normal for them to act that way when they get this medication; but, it is very hard to handle and care for a child who is acting like this all the time. Especially a child that used to be so quiet, sweet, loving and well behaved all the time. They will be doing another chemo shot tomorrow (here comes that needle thing again, MikyD .. I wish I could take it for you). And then it all starts over again .. maybe we can take her outside for fresh air on monday if it is nice out .. she would like that.. I hope .. I am going to have to start spending some nights with her to give her mom a break I think. She ate a bit today .. but it has to have cheerios in it .. hehehe ... Her Aunt Dawn and Uncle Keith and cousins came to visit today .. she got a musical book .. she was happy with that .. Her Great Grandma and Great Uncle came to visit also.
Sept. 28, 1997
Today was a fairly good day. She got her chemo treatment and all the other meds. Still isn't eating well .. so the hospital sent her home for a couple hours to see if that helped. It did a bit and she ate more than usual. Uncle Gerald and Aunt Dianna came to see her at her house. Her 2 1/2 yr old brother came home today also from his weekend sleepover. That helped her feel more comfortable that is was more like normal again. She was pretty dopey from all the meds she received today. Tomorrow look out, it will be back to hating the whole world again. So much has happened in a week .. more than a baby can handle .. more than what most of us ever have to go through in a life time .. Pray for all the little ones .. they are so young to suffer so much.
Sept. 29, 1997
Today was a good day. *smile* She turned up her nose at the hospital food; but, so did her brother. So did I .. hehehe .. So I took them all down to the cafe and we had a good lunch. That little girl ate like a little horse and I got her smiling and laughing .. so it was a lift to the heart to see and hear that again. She then got to go home for dinner and also had a good dinner. She went to sleep good tonight. She had a good day and so did we. *smile* Lets pray for another tomorrow. Today her parents learned how to clean and dress her operation where the tube is in her vein for the shots. They have to learn how to look after her for when she comes home and what to watch for when there is something wrong. Man what a responsibility.
Sept. 30, 1997
Another good day .. YIPPEEEE *smile* Today she told us she was hungry and wanted to eat .. food .. hmmmmm .. *smile* .. She is starting to get mushy again .. and smile lots .. she is feeling lots better .. And also informed us that her medication was uckkky .. and it is .. hehehe . Her parents have been taking all kinds of classes on how to look after her at home and what bad signs to look for and what to do when they appear .. NO FEVER YET .. a GOOD SIGN .. Mommy was staying with her tonight for a sleep over so she was one happy little girl and went to sleep right away .. Tomorrow is another day. We can only live day by day now ..
