Here's something to remember

This is something I read on my new friend Madison's website.....

In happy moments, Praise God
In difficult moments, Seek God
In quiet moments, Worship God
In painful moments, Trust God
In every moment, Thank God

This really touched mommy and hopefully you too!

I am getting to be sooo big

Well hello everyone!! At my appointment Friday I was such a big girl. I sat in the chair all by myself and pulled my shirt up for Nurse Maria to access my port. I would not let mommy help me at all!! But. . . . . . I got scared at the last second and mommy had to hold my hands but I still did it on my own ;> Gammaw came with me today and also my bubby and yaya (Nic and Garrett). I had to get a new CT Scan of my head. I usually have to drink the red stuff to make me go to sleep because I will not lay still in the big picture machine but today I laid down for Gammaw and did not have to drink that stuff, yeah!! Unfortunately that is where my cooperation ended. The CT Scan did not show anything to cause my vomiting so the doctor scheduled a different test. This time I had to swallow medicine so the doctors could see if I had any blockages in my throat but that came back clear as well.
I got admitted for my chemo cocktail and that all went fine but I got really sleepy this time and slept for almost a whole day. Another group of doctors came to see me and were taking all of mommy's attention from me and I did not like it. So I kept trying to interrupt them from talking. Those doctors decided to schedule another test for me to take after a week of new medication to make sure that my vomiting was not due to acid reflux and 'back-up'.
Well my next treatment is Monday June 1 so I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts.

Results from Reassessment

Hi everyone,
Well we have good news and some not so good news. The good news is that the tumor has reduced in size by 50%.

The not so good news is that the tumor is still wrapped around and attached to several of my vital organs, including my ovaries, urethra, bladder, colon and a hip muscle. So while the shrinkage is good and shows that the chemotherapy is working, the tumor has not shrunk enough around these organs to allow for radiation treatment or surgery. So to attempt to do either of these things could cause me permanent damage -- such as prevent me from entering puberty or be required to have a colostomy bag. So this is a minor setback in the treatment plan. My doctors decided that they will continue chemotherapy for six more weeks, and do another reassessment at that time.

So, please pray for me. Pray that the tumor begins shrinking away from these organs so they can do radiation therapy.

Also please pray for me because I have been suffering from "bubbles in my belly" (nausea and vomiting) for the past two weeks, even though I have not been getting any chemo. The doctors are running another CT scan on my brain Friday. They told mommy that the bubbles in my belly might be a result of toxicity in my brain from the chemotherapy, triggering this reaction.

Love and kisses to you all,
Amelya
PS the picture is from Mother's Day.

Quick Update

Hi--
Just to give you a quick update on what is going on, this past week I had my "reassessment" tests done. The doctors are trying to decide what they are going to do next, and they are suppose to tell mommy and daddy what the next steps will be next week. They are trying to decide if they want to do surgery or not, and when they are going to do radiation therapy, etc.

In the meantime, the doctors did tell us that the tumor has shrunk 50% -- that's right, it is half the size that it was when I first arrived at Children's Hospital. WooHoo!

Once we know more, we will let you know. Thanks for your prayers!
Amelya