Bone Marrow Transplant tomorrow for Bekah

[maureenreynolds]

As Sharlah says, the actual process is relatively simple. It's so great that they can now use stem cells and placentas for this process. I'm taking a deep deep breath, and praying on a museum visit today. Maureen
~~~~~~~~~

We are so very thankful that there is a cure for Bekah and the Dr's are working hard to cure her.

Yesterday was a hard day for mom, so-so for Bekah. She is done with Chemo and continued the ATG and started entire body radiation. She only got sick once and up came some apple juice she drank. I am praying she doesn't get the sores in her throat and mouth that will make it even more difficult to eat.
Radiation yesterday and today- They do radiation to kill any cells left in the body that Chemo didn't kill. This is how the finalize wiping out the system completely. IT didn't hurt her, just made me so nervous! I had to take her into this room, where they had done measurements when we came out last time over her entire body. The only thing they try not to hit with radiation is her lungs-to try to save those. There is a chance of secondary diseases later in life from all this, but we do what we have to do (and ask God for help). They then made her lie very still for about 20 minutes (she listened to a CD from her friends Leah and Tara) and I was asked to leave the room and went out where these 8 inch doors closed behind us leaving her alone. Once she was done with that, they turned her to get the other side. She did great- I was the mess! We then went back to do another 12 hours ATG treatment. I think (fingers crossed) that we are passed the side effects for ATG treatment.

She has had to have platelets every day or so because the chemo and radiation kill the cells at a rapid rate. Dr. Graham said this is how he can tell that her system is being wiped out, so not to worry about the increased frequency of transfusions.

Today is -1!!!! Last day and tomorrow is stem cell day! It could take 2-3 weeks for stem cells to en-graft, leaving Bekah very vulnerable because has absolutely no protection if she was exposed to something now. This whole thing almost seems anti-climatic.... all this and then tomorrow they just do a transfusion of stem cells. Strange how simple the actual transplant is.

So today we do radiation and ATG again. Please pray for her to be infection free during the vulnerable period of the stem cells finding their way to her bones to en-graft. Please pray for the stem cells to en-graft successfully. Please pray for those stem cells not to attack her body once they do en-graft. (Graft vs Host Disease.)


We love you all so much and I want to thank-you all for you support! Kim told me she set up a meal support for Rich and Michael 2x a week. We are both so grateful! You should have heard Rich..."I feel guilty, but I am so grateful, but I do feel guilty." I want you to know, that is has helped him out so much. He works such long hours and now he has the mess of a house to deal with from the water damage of the water heater, so I know how much it helps him. Plus- It takes a little bit of the worry away from me about him and Michael. I know you are stepping in to help, were I cannot. THANK-YOU! (Thank-you Kim for getting that set up too!)

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Best wishes for a successful transplant, Maureen. Thanks for the update.

[cstaff]

Prayers are on-going for all of you through this process...

[Heidi2008]

I'll be thinking & praying for positive results Best wishes to you & your family!

[THAT-GIRL]

Bless here little heart... wishing everything goes WELL !!!

[quilter422]

hugs and prayers to you all.

[Kayleigh]

I will be thinking positive thoughts for her too - thanks for the update. Hugs to you all.

[echogirl]

More positive thoughts coming your way! Good luck tomorrow!

[Monique1971]

Best wishes, hope everything is gonna be allright. I will cross my fingers.

[digigrandma]

Maureen, my heart just aches when I think of Bekah and all of you going through this.

We have a friend, a young mother of 2, who underwent this procedure for the same reason as Bekah. She is now healed and home taking care of her family (2 years since the transplant). Hang on to that thought....this ordeal will lead to Bekah's recovery.

[donna goar]

Thoughts and prayers that all goes smoothly and successfully.

[Denise Gormish]

Prayers for success.

[Julie DeGuia]

What a tough journey for your family. Best wishes for a successful outcome.

[anke]

Oh my, that poor baby. We will keeping her in our prayers!

[iUma]

We are all cheering for Bekah. I am sending my energy, too.

[jazzmatazz]

Maureen, prayers going up for Bekah's health and successful engrafting!! Please keep us posted.

[katrinak]

She is in my thoughts.

[AllynD]

I wish and pray for a successful outcome, Maureen!

[connieg]

Maureen, praying all goes well with the transplant and sending an angel to watch over Bekah. My son's ex girlfriend under went a double blood cord transplants 3 yrs ago for Luekemia, she had a rough go of it, but it worked. It is totally amazing what they can do these days. Please keep us posted.

[deanie]

Prayers and hugs for Bekah and her Mommy! and everyone else who loves her.

[Amson]

Such a hard time for everyone. My prayers are definitely with you all.

[whatnext]

All good things to follow. Let's hope and pray for that. What a little soldier she is.

[Chris]

What a lot for such a wee child to have to go through. My prayers are with Bekah and family. It sounds like there's a great support team helping the guys, so glad to hear this.

[Starlite9711]

Sending prayers up for Beckah and her doctors and your whole family maureen! Hugs!

[Vanilla Scraps]

Bekah is lucky to have such a strong family around her - she is a tough little cookie and she will fly through this, all love to her xx

[kathie02]

Thanks for keeping us updated....praying her transplant is a complete success!!!

[maureenreynolds]

Sharlah says....

Hi! Today is Bekah's 6th Birthday and yesterday was her so to speak physical rebirth of the body! So they are back to back.

I had to take a photo of the stem cells. Crazy isn't it?? That syringe has the new stem cells from the baby cord that will save her life! Bekah did well, the only side effects she had were high blood pressure. It went all the way up to 147/111. They had to give her meds 3 times to bring it down. She has been on blood pressure meds already though and will continue to be, so I was trying not to stress about it. I just kept asking her if her head hurt. I don't want her to have a stroke from the blood pressure.

So now....we wait and pray for 2-3 weeks for cells growth. We wait and pray she doesn't get graft vs. host disease (GVHD)that will attack her organs and could cause serious injury. The most critical part is the first 3 months. That's why we can't go home after cell growth. Then after 3 months they continue to watch for less serious, but still serious GVHD for another year or two. If she gets it and the doctor can't calm it down it could be a life long autoimmune disease we have to deal with. So please pray her cells begin to grow and she doesn't get GVHD.

Thank-you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes! There are so many people that have reached out to us during this difficult journey. Thank-you!

Yesterday, the social worker came in to talk with me. She signed up Bekah for Courage Beads. I had to go back and recount our journey for her beads. I broke down when she asked how many transfusions. We are past 40 now. I think maybe 42 (she is getting red cells now and had platelets again last night.) Then she asked if we had support. I was glad to tell her of all the support we have received from you all.

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 We are so grateful for all our days that we have with Bekah -both good and bad. We pray for the Lord to heal her and let ler live a long holy life.

Today the hospital is having a birthday for her at the hospital. IT should be fun. Lots of love~Sharlah

[dugarner]

I will be praying Bekah and Sharlah and your husband, too. Is it amazing that you look at that tiny syringe of cells, and it's worth about $2,000,000 when it's all said and done; but to use a cliche, getting her well is priceless.

Children are amazing; they are the ones we would never ever wish any suffering on, we always want to take the burden for them, but then they are the ones who teach us so much about perseverance and forebearance and grace.

Please keep us updated!

Sarah

[THAT-GIRL]

Wishing for Bekah and all of you to be STRONG, and GROW new good cells, and be able to FIGHT anything that stands in the way, and finally to come out a WINNER and go home !!!

[maureenreynolds]

(btw, I took out a LOT of smiley faces. That's a good thing, meaning Sharlah feels happy.) Maureen - one of the mothers in law!

+2 Day

Bekah had a wonderful day yesterday. Yeah! My mother-in-law drove up with our son, Michael so we would have some family at the hospital. The nurses made her a cake and gave her some presents along with the Ronald McDonald House. They blew lots of bubbles since they can't do candles. She loved it!

Thank-you so much for all your birthday wishes! We have begun to hang her cards that she has received in the mail on her wall. I want her to know how many people love her.

Bekah is doing pretty good. She was so exhausted after her party she took a nap. The nurses keep telling me that the sores are coming in her throat and mouth. Bekah refuses to do the mouth rinse, so it will probably be here soon.

Thank-you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for engraftment and no or less severe GVHD.

Also, if you could please say a little prayer for this 4 year old girl next door to us. My father in law sent a book "The day is done." It is about different parent animals helping their baby animal and holding their hand when the day is done no matter what has happened. I got very emotional in the book, Bekah has been through so much, but I kept thinking of this little girl next door. She has been through so much too, but she is alone so often. Her family does come in, but they only stay for a few hours then leave. Most of the time and all through the night this little, precious baby 4 year old girl is alone. Bekah gave her a little pet shop present yesterday to help make her feel better. (But they aren't allowed to really be near each other yet.) Maybe when they are both feeling better Bekah will be able to play a little with her. Please pray for this little girl too. My heart aches for her. May the Lord watch out for her and help heal her too.

Rich comes out tonight again with Michael. I will be able to catch up on some laundry and other stuff that piles up. ~Lots of Love ~Sharlah