Doing a little better :)

Madeleine’s Blog

August 25, 2013

So do not fear, for I am with you

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God

I will strengthen you and help you

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10

Madeleine has made it through the first "storm" of chemo side effects (which included all kinds of fun stuff that I won't elaborate on!).

Today, she was able to sit up, drink some lemonade, and even have a few bites to eat. Although the acute symptoms are much better, her underlying nausea is still present, as well as the fatigue and general malaise.

As expected, they gave her two bags of blood today to help bring up her low red blood cell counts. (The chemo takes down all her counts, but the doctors only need her white cells to be down for the TIL therapy. So, the red cells and platelets get replaced as needed.)

Blood in disguise ;)

We are really grateful for Madeleine's wonderful chemo-nurse, who is used to patients who feel uncomfortable about having to see all the blood.

The nurse made a real effort to camouflage the tube to Madeleine's port using the hospital's colorful self-adhesive wrap! She also camouflaged the bag of blood with a pillow case! :)

Madeleine is still receiving one of the chemo drugs through Monday. Then she will have two "pause days" for her white counts to go all the way down to where they want them.

Thursday will be the big day, when the TIL cells go in, and the high dose IL-2 begins.

Madeleine's parents are both there with her now, so that one can rest while the other is with Madeleine. Thank you for your prayers for Madeleine, and for her family.