Keeping up the fight!

Madeleine’s Blog

November 15, 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

Deanne & Madeleine

It has now been just over three weeks since Madeleine started on the new clinical trial drugs, and so it's definitely time for an update.... A little over a week ago, Madeleine's mom decided to take a temporary leave from her teaching job in order to stay home with Madeleine and help her get better.

Here is from Madeleine's Facebook:  

"My amazing mom - who has been so incredibly supportive - decided to take leave from work. I just wanted to say thank you mom for being there for me every day and comforting me when I feel sick."

On Deanne's last day of work, the teachers (and other employees from her school) surprised her with so many special things -- among them a gift basket for Madeleine filled with a special blankets, hats, booties, gift cards, and many other wonderful things. What a blessing -- those items have already been put to use!

Meanwhile, Madeleine has been taking the five "clinical trial" pills early every morning (which at times is hard to do on the required "empty stomach"), but she is managing to keep them down now.

It is hard to know how things are really going with the trial, but there are a few good things that we can see. About a week after she started the new pills, Madeleine decided that she no longer needed the round-the-clock pain medications that she had been taking for the abdominal pain from her tumors. Also, the nightly fevers that were related to the tumors have now disappeared. So those are some good changes that we see.

Probably the hardest thing for Madeleine, though, is how tired she feels and the lack of energy that she has. This is a huge lifestyle adjustment for her, but it is a part of her daily battle. She goes in for blood tests here at our local Kaiser fairly frequently in order to monitor her blood counts. Two weeks ago she received two units of blood, since her hemoglobin had gotten quite low, which helped some with her energy.

Last weekend, Madeleine was able to go up to the family cabin at Mt. Lassen to be with her great aunt and uncle and family for the annual "choosing and cutting" of the family Christmas trees. It was so restful to be at the cabin, and while Madeleine didn't have the energy to go out hunting for the tree, she did enjoy being there with family whom she loves, and in a place that she has always enjoyed.

Thank you for your prayers for Madeleine and her family. We are continuing to pray that she will be able to manage the side effects of this treatment, and that she would be completely healed. Thank you, everyone, for your support and concern.