Interim Maintenance Road Map

Ellie has entered a new phase of treatment. While somewhat less "busy", it still has it's share of potential difficulties. The pros are that Ellis is no longer on a daily chemo drug and we only have to visit the clinic every ten days for her to receive treatment. The potential cons are that the treatment escalates, meaning that every time she goes in, she gets more chemo than the previous visit. And, she has to get another lumbar puncture on Day 31. If her blood counts show that her body is not handling the chemo well, then further treatment can be delayed. This phase runs for 56 days, but could potentially last longer.

Here is what Ellie will be receiving for the next two months:
Days 1, 11, 21, 31 & 41: Vincristine via IV port
Days 1, 11, 21, 31 & 41: Methotrexate via IV port
Day 31: Methotrexate via LP

So yes, there is about a two week lull of treatment at the end. The next phase that Ellie will enter is really intense treatment, so I assume that this time off is to give her body a break before hitting the chemo and steroids really hard. That will be in August and September, and I will post all about it as Ellie enters that phase.

Please pray that Ellie handles this escalating treatment well. As always, there are short term and long term side effects that we are praying against. Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, ulcers, infections, etc... All of these are very common side effects to get at this stage. We are so thankful that Ellie has not seemed to develop any of these so far. Please join us in praying and believing that she will not have to experience them.

Waiting at the clinic before heading to the infusion center to receive chemo. 

Spinning in the hallway seems like a good idea.