Hello family, friends and new visitors, Mickenzie is doing fine. She is playing, laughing, talking, singing, dancing, watching TV., and enjoying the sunshine. She loves too and is eager to help Mommy around the house and is doing such a wonderful job. After all she is, as she always says "getting bigger and taller". She is however getting tired more easily and is somewhat more "touchy" May be that her bloodcounts are getting lower again. We will find out this coming Wednesday, July 28 when she is going to be admitted for her chemo to have Cytoxon and Ifosfamide administered intravenously.
Yes she is okay, or is she? After reading the news about Haley I don't know what to think anymore. Even though that I was aware that Wilms can spread to the brain and the bones, I always put that scary possibility way back in my mind. The majority of the time, Wilms spreads, if and when it does, to the lungs and that is what the doctors seem to focus on. Never is there an MRI done on the brain until there are already symptoms as in Haleys case. It makes me so angry, frustrated, sad, scared, depressed that I can't even think. Yes "CANCER SUCKS!!!! " It is to me the most hidious and sneaky illness. Haley is going to have surgery tomorrow Monday at 1 PM to have a tumor removed from her brain. Please everybody send prayers and support to Haley and her family. There is a link in the drop-down menu to Haleys side, please visit her homepage.
I also have a prayer request for another family from England we have met here at Anderson and got to know over this past 11 month. Their little 4 year old daughter Chloe earned her Angelwings July 19 after a long couragous battle with cancer. There also is a link here from this side to her webside. I know it would help the family so much knowing there are people out there who love them and care.
Hug your children and tell them you love them.
God Bless you all.

Thursday, July 15, 2004 9:30 PM CDT

Mickenzie had her bloodwork done July 12th and some counts are up some down. WBC went from 7.8 to 4.6, ANC from 4.21 to 3.08 but Hemoglobin went back up again from 7.9 to 8.3 as well as the platelets from 154 to 211.
She is still full of energy, very independent and the boss of the house, but in a sweet way. She is becoming a little girl now. "I am getting bigger, I am getting taller...see", she says and stretches her arms way above her head.
Please continue to pray that her last two chemos will do the job. Please also pray for all the other children fighting this monster on treatment and in remission.
Last week Heaven gained another little Angel Zoie. Please keep her family in your prayers,

www.caringbridge.org/la/zoie

God Bless you all





Look..I can do the Twist

Wednesday, July 2th 2003 10:29 PM CDT --------July 9th 2004

BRIEF UPDATE:
------------------------
Hello everyone, above all many thanks for visiting Mickenzies webside. I can't say it enough how much your encouraging and inspirational words mean to us.
Mickenzie on the whole is doing fine. She has been getting tired alot faster and more crankier. Yesterday, 8th July she had her bloodwork done. ANC went from 1.94 on June 30th to 4.21, WBC from 4.4 to 7.8. So all that is good news. However her Hemoglobin went down to 7.9 and Platelets from 301 to 154 Since they expect to drop more over the next couple of days they want to see her Monday instead coming Thursday. We were also told that there will be 2 more rounds of Cytoxon and if everything looks good, according to our calculation. August 25th should be the last day of chemo. But we are not getting exited yet!!!
God Bless you all



It is July 02, 2003 a year ago today. Mickenzie had been admitted to the Kings Daughters Childrens Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia the evening of July 01. Mickenzies mom Michaela had taken her to the emergency room that morning for diarrhea that had an incredible foul odor. There the physician on call got suspicious when microscopic blood showed up in her urine and her blood pressure was above the normal range. He immediately ordered an X-ray which revealed what looked like a growth on the kidney. Within a short time Mickenzie was in an ambulance transfering her to the childrens hospital. The following day, July 02 after more tests it was confirmed what had already been suspected, Mickenzie has Wilms Tumor.
It is difficult to describe in words the anguish, the horror, hopeless and helplessness we felt. It was as if the whole world had crumbled around us. Thousand thoughts, thousand questions raced through our mind. We rationalized, tried to explain it away and even denied all this was happening. Why? That can't be! Mickenzie always has been the picture of health, rarely ever sick. There must be some sort of mistake! But it wasn't a mistake. Mickenzie has cancer. There were also feelings of guilt.....was it something I ate during pregnancy? Maybe the air refreshner that was occasionally used in the house? Yet the the terrible news wasn't news to Michaela at all. It only confirmed what she had known all along. She had known from the day Mickenzie was born that she had cancer. At first those feelings were only vague and occasionally but became more intense, more often over the next 22 month. Again and again she had expressed her fear, I am not imagine it, I am not crazy, that feeling is just too strong, she said. I can sense it when Mickenzie looks at me, the expression in her eyes, its like she is trying to tell me...that she has cancer!
A needle biopsy was performed (strange word for cutting her abdomen from one end to the other) which revealed multible bilateral Wilms Tumor stage V favorable histology with 12-15 tumors on each kidney. The smaller ones strung up like pearls around and throughout the kidneys. The larger Ones from a golf to softball size. Then another surgery to insert a Central Venous Catheter for blood draws and to administer chemo and other medications. And Mickenzies journey battling her cancer began.
Since then over the period of one year Mickenzie received aggressive and toxic chemo therapy with Vinchristine, Dactomyacin, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide, all which have short and longterm side effects. Received four bloodtransfusions, countless blood draws, CT scans under anesthesia each time, chest X-rays and antibiotic treatments for infections. She fought Sepsis, a severe bloodinfection in January 2004 when her body was already weak and her blood counts dangerously low. She spent so far a total of a 100 days as an inpatient in the hospital. Had 4 major surgeries with a total nephrectomy of the right and partial nephrectomy of the left kidney. After the second surgery in November 24th 2003 she had a collapsed lung and shortly afterwards an infection in her CVC Line. Intravenous antibiotics were administered. After the third surgery and the following pathology report a new diagnosis. Bilateral Wilms stage II/V, left kidney favorable, right kidney diffuse anaplasia unfavorable histology. She also had 3 lesser surgeries, inserting the CVC Line, removing it because of infection and reinserting a new CVC Line.
Her journey in fighting her cancer continues, but we have faith the day will come where we can claim victory. She has a roadmap for the next 5 years starting when she is off chemo and considered cancerfree. When that time comes she will be in remission. From then onward she has a monthly check- up the first year. Second year every 6 weeks. Third year every 2 months. 4thyear every 3 and the 5th year every 6 month. After the 5th year its once a year until......? It is then when we can say, she is cured of cancer.
Throughout this journey we had to make many sacrisfices, a major move from the eastcoast to Houston with limited financial resources to assure Mickenzie the best care with a pediatric oncologist specializing in Wilms Tumor as well as a pediatric surgeon with one of his expertise in removing Wilms Tumor. We found both at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, TX. We sold, gave away and stored our belongings. And we left behind family and friends not knowing for how long.
Throughout her ordeal her sister, 12 year old Brittaney and 9 year old brother Brendan stood couragously beside her, willingly giving up many things to save their little sisters live.
We have come to realize we are not alone in this new world. We have met many wonderful, caring people at the hospital, through the Caringbridge webside and the Wilms Tumor list. Parents whose children fought or still fighting cancer or other life threatening illnessnes. Sadly some of our hospital friends, there was Steven 13, Olah 3, George 10, David 10, Kelly 16 and Evelyn 3 1/2 and dear Mase-man 4 1/2 one of our caringbridge family, all have lost their battle and its then when one feels the most helpless. And it is then, during those times that our faith falters. Yet we keep on believing in miracles, because we know they do happen.
Mickenzie is soon to be 3 years old (she was 22 month when diagnosed) yet she has endured and still is more than an average adult in their lifetime. Her sweet personality, her incredible inner strenght, her zest for life never ceases to amaze me and is an inspiration to us all.

Again I like to thank each and everyone for their continuing prayers and support on our journey fighting this illness. It means more than I can say.
God Bless,
Linda - grandma




Mickenzie July 7th 2003 and July 2004 one year later

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 3:31 PM CDT

Hello everyone.....Mickenzie was admitted about an hour ago. We came here to the clinic this morning around 9 AM for her bloodwork, chest x-ray and consultation with her pediatric oncologist Dr.Jaffe. Well there has been a change of plans. They decided on 3 to 4 more rounds of Cytoxan (Cylophosphamide) instead of Ifosfamide. She will also get one dose of Vinchristine each time. The explanation is, since she has only less than 3/4 of a kidney left and Ifosfamide can be damaging to the kidney they don't want to take that risk. The same reason was given why they decided against radiation. The nephroblastomatosis cells are benign (they are not cancerous) but are a precursor for Wilms and can become a tumor. That is why they have to keep a closer eye on everything.
Mickenzies blood count is somewhat down from her last count, but close to or within the normal range. Her ANC is 1.9, Platelets 301, Hemoglobin 8.5

This coming Friday, July 2nd is going to be the 1 year anniversary of her diagnosis. Initially she was dx with bilateral stage V fh with 12-15 tumors in each kidney. That changed a few month later to stage V, with each kidney staged seperately. Left kidney stage II fh and right kidney stage II diffuse anaplasia, unfavorable.

Mickenzie is doing still great. She is so full of bubbly energy. She even, for the first time ever shook Dr.Jaffe's hand, something he is been waiting on for such a long time. He always says:" Hello Miss Mickenzie, how are you?" and tries to shake her hand. Mickenzie always looked the other way pretending he doesn't exist. So this made his day :)Well, hopefully this type of chemo, first time for her is not going to make her sick. One good thing, only has to stay 2 days..yeah! (going home late Friday)
Chemo started a few minutes ago, starting off with Vinchristine, then Cytoxan for 1 hour followed by Mesna to protect her bladder. She is also getting medication for nausea but I can't recall the name of it right now.

Thank you everyone so very much for all the prayers. I am convinced without the shadow of a doubt that without all the prayers and emotional support Mickenzie would not be doing so well. Please pray for all the other children fighting this monster.
Love to All and God Bless,
Linda grandma to Mickenzie

Friday, June 25, 2004 2:49 PM CDT ------ UPDATE for June 29

Tuesday, June 29...BRIEF UPDATE...

Hospital called this afternoon to inform us Mickenzie is admitted tomorrow for 5 days Ifosfamide. After that 2 more rounds. We also will get the pathalogy report. Took a long time!!

On a humoruos note: Mickenzie loves to go to the pool, but is never able to completely go in all the way because of her line. Yesterday her sister Brittaney walked into the pool with Mickenzie sitting on her shoulders. Suddendly Mickenzie stood up, wrestled her hands free from Brittaneys grip, jumped into 5 feet of deep water and started to paddle. Almost gave her sister a heart attack.

I was able to visit some of our caringbridge friends since we got internet again, but didn't make it to everyone yet. Neither have I been able yet to thank many of you by email who sign the guestbook but have no webside listed. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. Thank you and God Bless
Linda grandma to Mickenzie




Hello everyone.... the first thing I am going to do as soon as our internet is going to be hooked up again, I said, is visit our caringbridge family, post a letter to the Wilms list and update the journal. As you all know we moved the weekend before Mickenzies surgery and have been without internet since. Today they finally came and installed everything.

Mickenzie is doing great she was released from the hospital, Thursday June 17th. She recovered incredible fast from the surgery this time. Up and running in a very short time like nothing ever happened. Sometimes this scares me. Her hair is comming back too, like soft peachfuzz. She is so proud of it and always wants us to feel her head. The other day she told us with exitement in her voice and to our surprise, "my hair is coming back, then my line comes out, then I can go swimming". The only thing we ever told her is that she could not get her line wet or to be careful.

Yesterday the 24th Mickenzie had her blood counts done again, the 5th time since surgery and all is well. Her counts are going up slowly, but they are going up. ANC is at 2.21 and Hemoglobin at 8.6, Platelets at 329 and her Creatinine at 0.6. up from the 0.4. So far, her only kidney seems to be doing just great doing the job for two.
To our dissappointment the pathalogy report was not completed yet, a few more days they said. but could tell us that the Wilms Tumor on the right kidney they just removed, is diffuse anaplasia. As of now we dont know if she will be getting more chemo or radiation. We will find out as soon as the oncologist has the pathalogy report.

Thanks everyone for coming by to check on Mickenzie, for all the prayers and support.
God Bless you all, Linda (grandma)

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 4:45 PM CDT

Thank you so very much Caringbridge and Wilmslist family, as well as old and new visitors for all your caring support, encouragement and prayers. I tried to update yesterday but couldn't find an available computer here at the hospital.

Mickenzie is doing fine at the moment. So much better than with the last surgery where she continuously had to vomit causing her more pain and discomfort. This time the changed her pain control from Morphium to an Epidural with the medications Marcane and Fentanyl and so far it seems to be working good. She is resting so much better.

Surgery yesterday lasted from 12 noon to 3PM and went well with no complications. They did have to remove her right kidney, it still had live cancercells.
I will explain more in detail later, hopefully today.
God Bless you all, Linda

Back again to give a brief update. Mickenzies oncologist Dr. Jaffe came a little while ago and told us he is very happy with the surgery :-)......however he is also concerned about the left kidney even though so far everything seems to look ok. The main reason for his concern is that there where still live cancercells present in the right kidney even after all that aggressive chemo. For now he wants to give a few more rounds of Ifosfamide to make sure there is nothing left or hiding somewhere else. Also they waiting for the biopsy results to see what type of cancercells they were and why they were so resistant to all the chemo.
will be back to write more ......
Love and Hugs to all, Linda

I know Michaela would be happy if you all call her, but sometimes its not easy for her to get to the phone in the room. So please don't give up if she doesn't always answer. ;-)


Wed, June 16th...Brief update.... As for now Mickenzie is doing alright. Her vital signs, bloodcounts as of yesterday were excellent, higher than they ever. Before surgery her ANC was close to 2.0, right after surgery it shot up to over 11.0 WOW ! and yesterday morning dropped to 8.0, still high. They took her off the epidural to see how she would do without, but her pain started to increase too much. Now they are going to try it with morphium again. She refuses to take anything by mouth.
Also her oncologist Dr.Jaffe came a little while ago and is now talking about radiation depending what the pathalogy report says. But definitely the few rounds of Ifosfamide.
Thank everyone from our hearts for all the prayers. Without, I am positive, Mickenzie would not be recovering from surgery so well. Now lets just hope and pray no cancercells are hiding somewhere else or escaped during the surgery.
God Bless you all....Linda (grandma)

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 9:55 AM CDT

Hello family, friends and new visitors....we met yesterday afternoon with Mickenzies surgeon Dr. Blakely to discuss her upcoming surgery.

Well the big day is this coming Monday, June 14th. Everyone was surprised that it is scheduled so soon, but Dr. Blakely wants to be the one again to perform the surgery before leaving in 3 weeks for St. Jude hospital.

Where do I start? At this time we only know that he is going to go in to see what actually is there, what can not positively be seen on the scan. The renal scan revealed that the left kidney what functioned at 60% before her previous surgery in March 2004 is now functioning at 42%. Her right kidney functioned before at 40%, now at 58%. Does this mean one kidney got better and the other worse? No, not at all. There are several factors involved why this is happening, but we are not sure yet until after the surgery. What can be seen on the renal scan is that there is something there in the left kidney, but as of now Dr Blakely is confident that it is nothing we have to worry about. If he notices something unusual during surgery he will do a biopsy.

The situation with the right kidney is quite different. There are residual tumor cells throughout the kidney and if it shows there are live cells (determined through biopsy during surgery) the kidney will be removed. If there is no Wilms left, all the cancer cells are death they leave the kidney in. However nothing is 100%. The final outcome will be determined during the surgery. Even if the biopsy says Wilms or no Wilms to remove the kidney or not depends also on what the surgeon sees.

Of course we want the Cancer gone, but we also want to preserve the kidney. It is true children are doing quite well with just one kidney, but in Mickenzies case there is the risk her left kidney will fail if the right one is removed. On the other hand there is the risk for the cancer to return if they leave the kidney in and there are hidden live cells. Even with the biopsy they can't say positively all the cancer is gone because the residual tumor is spread throughout the kidney. Also this type of biopsy is done during surgery and the reading can't be a 100%. There is just not enough time. A piece of kidney is going to be removed, frozen and rushed to the lab to do the test on it.

We are facing a difficult decision, but we have faith in Dr. Blakely and are confident he is going to make the right decision during surgery. He is an excellent surgeon who is the assistant to one of the top surgeons (Dr. Richie) for renal surgery.

We are scared, nervous, anxious. Our emotions are running every which way. We but all our faith in God and in the surgeon. We pray for a positive outcome. No more cancer, no more chemo.

Please continue to pray that Mickenzie will stay strong until surgery (she is doing great at this moment) That there will be no complications during surgery and a positive outcome. And for a quick recovery.

Thank everyone of you for your continuing support it means so much. I always think of the many children battling those different types of monsters and of the ones who lost and it makes me angry. And honestly there are more often times when it is difficult to have faith when I see one child after the other losing the fight.
God Bless you all.

Sunday, June 6, 2004 7:11 PM CDT

Hello everyone..... I started to write this journal entry on paper few days after Mickenzie had her scan but was not able to transfer it over to the caringbridge site because off computer problems.
Results of the scan were not what we wanted to hear. The plan was to try to shrink the residual tumor on the right kidney and prevent any regrowth on the left kidney with the two rounds of aggressive chemo. Unfortunately the scan showed no positive change. There is extensive deformity of both kidneys. On the right kidney there are what looks like possible small lesions along the right anterior lower pole. In the left kidney the previously peripheral band of low density appears to have diminished in thickness. There is no definite evidence of liver metastases. Also gallbladder, pancreas and spleen are normal.
Her ANC on 5/26 went down to 2.07 (last count on 5/17 was 5.32) Platelett count is up from 224 to 319. White bloodcell count down to 3.4 from 7.0 Hemoglobin up slightly from 8.6 to 8.7 The Alkaline Phosphatase and Lactic Dehydrogenase counts are both going down again.
How is Mickenzie doing? At the moment, today she is doing fine. Playing, full of energy. Oh yes, she gained one pound and grew one inch in one week.

Update: On June 4th Mickenzie had a renal scan and Monday, June 7th we meet with her surgeons and oncologist to discuss surgery and any further treatment. We hope it will be very soon because her surgeon is leaving end of June to go to St. Jude Hospital. We are very comfortable with him, he is an excellent pediatric surgeon specializing in Wilms Tumor. He has performed surgery on Mickenzie twice and knows everything about her. Besides they can't wait much longer without chemo. So its either going to be admittance for surgery or chemo this week.
I like to thank all of you, family, friends and new visitors for coming by and checking on Mickenzie. I have tried to visit our friends websites also but managed only a few so far. My thoughts and prayers are however with all of you every day.
Sending Gods Blessings to all.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 1:48 PM CDT

Hello family, friends and visitors. Finally I am able to update the journal again and hopefully if time allows it, visit our friends homepages. My computer crashed and I have been desperately trying to fix it but so far no luck. For the time beeing I am using my sons computer whenever I can or he doesn't have to use it. Its just not the same as my own Computer :-(
We also have been trying to set up a fundraiser for Mickenzie, a frustrating untertaking. If anybody could give us some advice, some pointers on how do go about doing a fundraiser (where to go, who to contact) it is very much appreciated. Some stores handed us giftcertificates, but most tell us they have to contact corporate office first but than don't call back.
Mickenzie had her bloodwork done May 17th and all her counts started to go up again. Her ANC wasn't ready that day until late afternoon, but we couldn't wait. However we did get the results for the other counts. Hemoglobin 8.6 stayed the same, white blood cell count went up from 4.7 to 7.0 and platelets from 170 to 224. Also the Alkaline Phosphatase decreased from 202 to 167 and Lactic Dehydrogenase from 1035 to 749 Those are encymes raising concerns on her previous counts because they were too high and can mean more tumor growth. But as long as they are going down we should be alright. Thats what we are beeing told. I say we are alright the day when they say "no more cancer!"

Well, that day is tomorrow Wednesday May 26th when she has a "scan" again. A day we are looking forward too with anticipation, hopeful, scared, with a thousand what ifs....? We pray that the scan will show no more "cancer" Thursday we will meet with her oncologist Dr. Jaffe to get the results of her scan and to find out if they are still planning on removing her right kidney. They say her right kidney has residual tumor growth and from the last biopsy they can't be positiv if those are live or dead cells. I am not sure if they actually mean "diffuse" since those cells or nodules are spread throughout her kidney?

Mickenzie seemed to do somewhat better after this last chemo when it comes to side effects. She ran a very low grade fever on and off. Had a change in her taste from spicy to very sweet. She always liked sweet, but now there never can be enough sugar. Otherwise she is still "Extremely" emotional and so very particular where what goes in the house, who is allowed to do certain things and who is not. She assigns the jobs around here and ..well,....yes we comply :-) :-)

My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you.
God Bless you all

Sunday, May 16, 2004 11:15 AM CDT

Hello everyone.... Well Mickenzie got to blow out the candles on Brendans Birthday cake yesterday!

" HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY" Brendan

She has been running a low grade fever on and off throughout the week and is complaining about leg pains, especially yesterday. Most of all Mickenzie is "EXTREMELY irritable, temperamental and sensitive!!!" with an "Eagle Eye" on her mom. She is starting to understand more and more and is becoming aware of her condition.
Her counts on Thursday where down from 5.06 on Monday to 1.74, quite a drop but still within the safe zone. Platelets fell to 170, but the Hemoglobin rised slightly to 8.6 What causes us concern right now is her liver counts. There was a sudden increase in Alkaline Phosphates and Lactic Dehydrogenas. We were told that it could be an indicator of tumor growth in her liver and that they will keep an eye on it. But also mentioned that usually the liver counts increase gradually when cancer cells are present and that a sudden elevated count could be caused by the chemo. I checked her previous reports and it shows there was a slight increase around the time she had chemo, but never as high as this time. Alkaline Phosphates at 202 and Lactic Dehydrogenas at 1035
So of course Michaela is extremely worried. Hopefully the blood counts tomorrow Monday look good and the upcoming scan shows no new cancer growth.
Thank you all for coming by to check up on us and for writing in her guestbook. I have been trying to catch up to stop by at everyones webside but with an internet connection sooo slow I think I might be faster if I visited in person :-)
God Bless everyone of you.

Monday, May 10, 2004 11:25 PM CDT

Above all, we like to thank family and our friends, old and new who come to visit Mickenzies site to write encouraging words in her guestbook and continue to pray for her. We also like to say a special and long overdue "Thank you" to my dearest daughter Beatrix, sister to Michaela (Bea aunt to Mickenzie) for creating the homepage and for all the work you continue to do to make it beautiful.
Already 4 days have passed since we went home from the hospital on Friday. Mickenzie did ok during her chemo treatment. She seemed to have fewer side effects than with her last chemo even though they gave her a higher dosage. That is she didn't vomit, feel nauseated, but was kind of moody and felt groggy. Couldn't make up her mind what she wanted. Leave the room, come back, leave again. Appetite, well I should say ...her eyes where bigger than her stomach. She wanted all kinds of different food, had it all lined up on her bedside table, took a few bites and that was it.
Friday the day she was going home she amazed her doctors with her sudden increase in energy. She walked, hopped and skipped down the hallways, even slid down the slide in the playroom while still attached to the IV. And she talked non-stop.
Then she anxiously waited for the nurse to disconnect her from the IV pole. She stood in the doorway of her room staring over at the nurses station with the expression on her face.."Helloo, I am waiting".... Then on the way home in the car she suddendly burst out saying..."Brittaney and Brendan going to be soooo haaappy to see ME"
However her blood counts did go down Friday. Her ANC at 1600, still on the safe side but we didn't expect it to go down as soon. WBCs at 2.0, Hemoglobin 8.5, Platelets 285
Saturday we had to go back for her Neulasta shot hoping it will bring her counts back up again before her next blood draw today, Monday.
Thank God the counts are still okay. The white bloodcells are up to 5.5 Hemoglobin down to 8.3 and so are the Platelets at 222 We don't know her ANC, it doesn't show on todays printout? Have to call about it tomorrow. Got to know!
So far she always ends up in the hospital for 2-3 days with fever and low blood counts on the 9 or 10th day of her chemo. That would be this coming weekend on Brendan, her brothers birthday. Mickenzie loves to help blow out the birthday candles, but no candles allowed in the hospital room!
Please keep on praying for all the children battling this terrible disease and for their families. And for Christie, Bill and Sonia whose sweet little Mason earned his angelwings a week ago. Their strenght and love is so inspiring. Angel Mason's Website

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 8:19 AM CDT

Hi everyone -- we are here, back in the hospital for her chemo treatment. We got here yesterday, Monday May 3rd. First for her blood work at 9:30AM at the clinic on the 7th floor, then checked into the room on the 9th floor about 1PM. By that time the bloodwork had come back with her ANC (Neutrophil Absolute Count) at 3.73 (3730) down from 3.98 (3980) on the 28th of April. Platelet Count from 398 to 283 and so did all the other numbers. (my apology, my last weeks entry of an ANC over 6000 is incorrect)
Its not much of a decrease but considering that she had no chemo since April 5th (April 9th being the last day) we are asking what caused it to go down? What can we expect after this chemo?

At 5:30PM Zofran and short time later, Dexamethasone (steroid) were started. Both work together to help with the nausea from the chemo. At 6PM the chemo started, with 33 mg of Doxorubicin administered intravenous over the next 24 hours (also known under Adriamyacin or simple...the Red Devil) So called because its a very agressive drug and for its red/orange color. At the same time they also gave a dose of 0.7 mg of Vinchristine. The next chemo starts tonight with 798 mg Ifosfamide given also intravenous over a 3 day period.

So far Mickenzie is doing fine. As of yesterday, she was full of energy and constantly wanted to eat. Starting from about 5:30 PM until midnight when the kitchen closed she had: chicken nuggets and french fries, strawberries and whipcream and some fresh pinapples. Icetea, milk, chocolade milk, angelfood cake with strawberries, chocolade cake. Then eggs with 4 sausage links, salad with chicken. More pinapples, more milk, then more sausage, then the kitchen closed. Midnight to the vending maschine for Pringles chips, Cheetah curly fries (I think thats what they are) and doughnuts. Does she eat everything? No, but quite a bit of it and as long as she eats we don't mind what or when she asks for food.

The result of last weeks CT scan and Echocardiagram don't show much change. The heart is doing fine. Thank God, no evidence of any damage to the heartmuscle. We really not sure what to think, its like being in limbo.
Left kidney where the tumors where removed shows .... Quote: There is a wide band of peripheral low density that extends from the region of the left upper pole and mid pole, posteriorly into the region of the lower pole which raises concern for infarct. Whether any of this represents residual or recurrent tumor is difficult to ascerain. Stable appearance of right kidney which has a severely distorted appearance... end quote.
They also mention about her lungs showing extensive bibasilar atelectasis ( which means there is a partial collapse at the base of her lungs) For now they are not too concerned about it. Liver, Lungs don't show any metastases.
As I said we don't know what to think and her doctor can only tell us he hopes with this round of chemo whatever is there will be destoyed. In order to know they would have to do a biopsy and that is too dangerous. When they removed the tumor at the left upper pole it still had live cancer cells. Now or concern is, did it spread?
I will write more later on this evening.

Please continue to pray that this chemo will work. Please also pray for Mickenzies Mom, Michaela. She is going through a very difficult time in every way and is falling into a deep depression. She is loosing strenght she needs for Mickenzie. Please also pray for the many friends out there battling the same disease. I call it "The Terrorists Within"

Thursday, April 29, 2004 4:37 PM CDT

Hello family, old and new friends..... since my last entry Mickenzie had her bloodwork done April 19th. Her ANC was over 6000 :-) But her liver test (alkaline phosphate test) showed her liver enzymes to be high. It doesn't happen every time, but its something her doctor is keeping an eye on.
Yesterday, April 28th our day started off early. Mickenzie had her lab work done at 7 AM on the 7th floor at the pediatric clinic located in the pink zone (everything here is color coordinated) Then up to the 8th floor for her Echocardiogram and Echo-ultrasound at 8 and 8:30AM. At 9AM to the 3rd floor (now green zone) x-ray for chest and abdomen. Followed by a CT Scan at 11AM.
Mickenzie always gets sedated for her scans, so the entire process takes 2 hours. Her mom holds her while they administer the anesthesia through her CVC Line until she falls asleep (which is fast) She is there with her when she awakens.
Everyone here is so wonderful, so caring and understanding. They really go out of their way to do everything possible not to cause Mickenzie or the other children any stress. We don't regret for one minute our decision to relocate over a 1000 miles to bring Mickenzie here for treatment.
Mickenzie is starting to realize now what is going to happen as soon as she enters the room and is becoming more and more apprehensive. She laid her head on her moms shoulder and as they injected the fluid into her line she said, "I don't want to go to sleep!" and with that she was out. When she woke up she laid there, eyes half shut, afraid to move her hands moving very carefully and slowly over her belly. Michaela wondered why she behaved this way, but then it occured to her, Mickenzie thought she had surgery again. She remembered the pain, the discomfort upon awakening from her last surgery. When Michaela convinced her that her belly was fine, there was no surgery, she quickly opened her eyes wide, sat up with a sigh of relief and was ready to go :-)
The test results were not immediately available, but should be within the next day or two.
Mickenzie is going back in the hospital as inpatient May 3rd for her 5 day chemo treatment with Ifosfamide and Doxorubicin.
Thank you all so much for your prayers, your uplifting and inspiring words in the guestbook. I can't say it enough how much it means to us.
There is power in prayer! There is power in all the positive energy combined. Lets keep on praying, lets keep on sending out positive healing energy to all our friends battling this disease.



"Just checking if everything is in order!"

Sunday, April 18, 2004 1:14 PM CDT

Dear family, friends and new visitors, thank you for your prayers and support. It gives us faith, hope and strenght to get us through those challenging times.
I was also finally able to visit some of the caringbridge homepages, reading story after story of so much love, courage, support and caring. It was truly overwhelming.
Well, Mickenzie was admitted to the hospital April, 14th for fever and runny nose. It only had been 5 days since she came home from the hospital Friday, April 9th after her 5 day chemo treatment. 24 hours of intravenous Doxorubicin followed by 3 days of Ifosfamide.
Saturday, April 10th it was back to the hospital for her Neulasta injection to help her body reproduce her bloodcells. The side effects are bonepains in her legs, headaches and sensitivity to sound. Her mom Michaela is able to give her the shot herself at home but chooses not to. She is trying to keep home and hospital seperated as much as possible. Home is her safe haven. Saturday evening we finally got to color Eastereggs. Mickenzie had alot of fun coloring the eggs with her sister Brittaney and brother Brendan. She wanted to color the eggs all by herself and did a wonderful job. :-)
Over the weekend she started to become extremely emotional over the most ordinary every day things. Our next door neighbour had her car parked in a different lot and not as usual next to our car. This saddened Mickenzie and made her cry. Everything had to be kept in place exactly as she last saw it. It upset her when one of us tried to cheer her up with funny faces and sounds. "Stooop it, don't talk like THAT !!" was her response. But she still was full of energy.
Monday, April 12th back to the clinic for her counts (ANC) they were going down but still ok. Tuesday, April 13th she started with a low grade fever and runny nose. Her mom kept a close eye on her because even a slight raise in body temperature can indicate an infection somewhere in her body and can become lifethreatening if her blood count is too low to fight the infection. She also became more fatiqued, very pale and dark circles beneath her eyes. Fever kept creeping up.
Wednesday, April 14th she was admitted to the hospital and put on intravenous antibiotics immediately. Her count was down to 260. She needed bloodtransfusion, which was ordered and given the following day. Something Michaela is against but the doctors made it "CLEAR" how vital it was for Mickenzie to get the transfusion! She wanted to give her body little more time to produce her own bloodcells. But she felt they left her no choice, she felt intimitated. The transfusion was complete shortly before midnight giving Mickenzie a sudden burst of energy. She needed to go to the vending maschine 2 floors below to get donuts. Then she insisted she needed to wash her pants and top all by herself. So off to the laundry room we went. She is a very independent little girl and gets frustrated when others jump to assist her.
April 16th her blood culture had come back negative, fever was down and her counts were up, all a ticket out of the hospital.
Monday, April 19th her blood count is done again.
Thanks everyone for stopping by to visit. Please sign the guestbook so we know you was here. God Bless, Linda (grandma)

Monday, April 5, 2004 5:59 PM CDT

Mickenzie was admitted to the hospital today for her chemo treatment. Starting at 10 AM her vital signs, blood test and x-rays was done at the pediatric clinic on the 7th floor and at 1:30 PM. she went to the 9th floor where she will be staying until Thursday or Friday depending on how she will react to the chemo.
She has been doing great over the past few days, especially over the weekend. She is starting to show more interest in her surroundings again, watching her favorite movies "Uptown Girl" (she pretty much recites the whole movie), "Dude, Where's My Car?", "Nemo", "Holes", "Strawberry Shortcake", "Little Stuart2" and "Winnie the Pooh" or listening to her favorite music CD "Highest Praise from our church in Virginia Beach and her latest favorite "Blondie" - "The Tide Is High". She also became more physically active, walking, climbing stairs and even though its difficult for her she insists to do it on her own. There was also a sudden increase in her appetite. Eating throughout the day, her deviled eggs, imitation crab legs, egg and sausage burritto, tortillos with cheese with lots of sour cream. Of course she enjoys other food too but those are the ones she craves for the most.
After settling into her room she went to the Pedi-Dome(a large play area)for a short while to play and is now back in her room waiting for the chemo. They already started her intravenous fluids little while ago, then in about 30 min. the chemo "Doxirubicin" (Adriamycin) will be given intravenous for 24 hours followed by 3 days of "Ifosfamide"
We pray that everything goes well, especially with Doxirubicin" a very potent drug that will damage the heart muscle (its not- it could, but it will). To what extend or if now or later noone can really say. We are being reassured however that the dosage is measured very carefully according to her weight (and age) and her heart monitored before, during and after treatment.
Please continue to pray that the chemo will only destroy the cancer cells and not her body.
Thank each and everyone of you and God Bless!


Mickenzie with her mom Michaela and her sister Brittaney

Monday, March 29, 2004 11:47 AM CST

Hello everyone, we are in the clinic today this gives me a chance to give a brief update on Mickenzies condition. After her surgery on March 15th at the Memorial Hermann Childrens Hospital, she was released March 20th and re-admitted to MD Anderson March 21th and was able to go home again March 25th. She has not been doing so well since her surgery. Lost too much weight, is weak, doesn't want to walk expect a few steps here and there. She says she is hungry, but then doesn't eat. When she does eat she only chews her food to get the flavor or juice out of it and then spits it out. Now they are setting her up for physical therapy and psychological counseling to see if this will help her.
They have to continue with a stronger chemo (known to cause heart damage, to what extend is not sure. Sometimes it does not show up years later) but have to wait one more week because she is to weak right now.
The tumors from the left kidney were removed however her pathology report indicates that there are more cancer cells present. As of the right kidney it has death as well as possible live cancer cells.
As soon as I know about the type of chemo she will be given
I will update.
Again I like to thank all of you for the continuing support and prayers. It gives Michaela the strenght she needs for her little girl Mickenzie.

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 6:57 PM CST

My apology for not updating you all sooner, but as of today, Wednesday 23th Mickenzie is still in the hospital and we still don't know what exactly is wrong. She continues having sharp lower abdominal pains with the morphium easing the pain slightly. Last evening she vomited "bile" again. The doctors say it could be a number of things. Constipation (morphium can cause this), infection, obstruction, fluid in the intestines and so on. They are simple not sure. Each doctor has a different theory and Michaela is getting more and more frustrated. A Ultrasound was done this afternoon showing nothing unusual. One of her blood tests show her potassium level is somewhat low. She has been getting intravenous fluid-potassium for the past 4 days starting at 100 to now tapering off to 45/h. Her magnesium is very low. The other lab tests done over the past couple of days have not come back yet.
We were also informed the right kidney still contains small tumor nodules throughout. For the time being the plan is to give VP16, an extremely potent chemo that will cause damage to the heartmuscle, but hopefully kill the cancer cells and save the kidney. However if the tumors do not respond they will remove the kidney. The plan might change again and the doctors decide it would be better to go ahead and remove the kidney now. Regardless, she will continue with some form of chemo to be certain all cancer cells are eradicated.
For the moment Mickenzie is content. In those short moments without pain or other discomfort she tries to be in good spirits, where we get that little sweet smile and a sparkle in her intense blue eyes.
Again I thank all of you for the continuing prayers, the spiritual and emotional support. Its appreciated more than I can express in words.

Sunday, March 21, 2004 6:11 PM CST

Mickenzie is back in the hospital, at the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center. We brought her back this afternoon after a long sleepless night. When she didn't feel any better by noon today we called the hospital and were told to bring her in.
When she was admitted her skin color was a very pale yellow, dark circles under her eyes, lethargic, fever of 100.1 and in pain. They immediately put her on IV., because she is dehydrated. They also did bloodwork, her ANC count is high (thats good) Just waiting for the blood culture the are doing to see if there is an infection in her CVC Line. But that we wont know preliminary in 24 hours. The 48 and 72 hour results will be more conclusive. They also took urine and stool samples.
She didn't have any solid food, that is no food whatsoever in 7 days and even though she was allowed to eat since Friday, she refused. She was already too weak and in pain. All she wanted was a sip of water, enough to keep her mouth moist, occassionally. She lost 5 pounds since Monday. She even refused to take Tylenol with Codeine.
The doctor said if she is doing well by tomorrow afternoon she might be able to go home unless any of the tests say otherwise.
As I am writing this, Mickenzie had her 3rd loose bowelmovement in less than 3 hours. Whats troublesome is that there was a good amount of blood. What does it mean? We don't know yet. It was sent to the lab right away, But the results wont be back until tomorrow.
They gave her morphium for the pain. She is resting right now.
If there are any new developments tonight I will update right away.
Please keep praying for Mickenzie and her family. Your love and prayers mean so much right now.
Thank you and God Bless!

Saturday, March 20, 2004 12:22 AM CST

HURRAH! Hurrah!
Mickenzie is going home today! She is still not feeling all that well of course, experiences pains and feels weak, but once she is back home again with her sister Brittaney and brother Brendan (they are inseparable) it will certainly help speed up her recovery. She is fever free since yesterday and here and there is trying to take little morsels of solid food. And finally after 5 days had a bowelmovement. I know that seem like nothing, but in her situation its like winning the lottery. The pains from the surgery, nauseated from the morphium and all that vomiting caused her great discomfort. She is off the morphium now and is getting Tylenol with Codeine. Her blood count was great yesterday. Don't know todays results yet. As soon as she is released from here, the Memorial Hermann Childrens Hospital will release her pathalogy report to her doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Research Center. Her doctor, DR. Norman Jaffe told Michaela they will continue with chemo, but is not sure yet what kind and for how long. That depends on the pathology report.
Mickenzie lost nearly 5 pounds since surgery and looks so frail but her inner strenght, her determination just amazes me.
I will update on her progress as often as I get the opportunity, since I don't have internet at home.
God Bless everyone of you wonderful, caring people who signed her guestbook and been praying for her, causing this miracle. I will do my best to thank each one of you individually from my cell phone. God Bless!

Linda(Grandmother)

Thursday, March 18, 2004 3:27 PM CST

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MICKENZIE. Even though the surgery was a succsess the BATTLE IS NOT WON YET.

Today she is not doing well. Since last evening she has been vomiting bile several times throughout the night and today. Her temperature is fluctuating too much. Her body is weak, limp. She simple doesn't have enough strenght to keep her head up. Her bloodcount shows the presence of an infection. All the symptoms are present that she has "Sepsis" again. She just finished taking antibiotics intravenously about a week before her surgery for "Sepsis".
They did a blood culture today, but have to wait for the results before they give her antibiotics. Something we very strongly disagree with. Antibiotics should be given right now. Unfortunately the surgery had to be performed at the Memorial Hermann Childrens Hospital where the protocol for patients with a variety of different ailment is not the same as at the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center where she is a patient for the past 7 1/2 month. There she would be put on antibiotics immediately. We just hope and pray she will be transfered to Anderson very, very soon.
It is so frustrating that Michaela has to endure more unnessecary stress and and anxiety.
God Bless everyone of you!

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 3:07 PM CST

Today is the 17th of March, 2 days after our little angel Mickenzies surgery. According to her doctors she is doing "well" (so they say) but has to stay in intensive care until she doesn't require oxygen anymore.
She is such a strong spirit and so brave trying to take the fever and pain in stride. Even though she is getting morhium it still doesn't take the pain completely away. The pains are strong enough for her to hold her breath and her body becoming rigid.
The biggest comfort for her right now is her mom (Michaela) who stays with her day and night, not leaving her side (not even to take a shower) cradling Mickenzie in her arms. In fact the doctors jokenly made the comment, pretty soon we will have to put mom on I.V. too.
On the day of surgery they did a biopsy on her right kidney to see if there are hidden cancer cells. Her right kidney is alot smaller and is functioning at 40The many tumors (12-15) did completely shrink from the chemo, but left residuals like confetti weaved throughout her kidney. For that reason is it difficult to do biopsy on every part of the kidney. So even if no cancer cells are found this time they are planning to remove the kidney in about one month.
She might is going to a room later on tonight. Yeah! :)
We will try to keep you updated as often as we get the opportunity. Hopefully daily.

Linda(Grandmother)

Monday, March 15, 2004 2:14 PM CST

A heartfelt "THANK YOU" to all you wonderful people for the prayers and positive thoughts for Mickenzie.
Surgery was a SUCCESS!!!!! TUMORS ARE REMOVED!!!!! A MIRACLE INDEED!!!!
Even the doctors where baffled!
WE ARE SO HAPPY!!!!! :-)))
They are now watching her right kidney which is alot smaller, but still functioning at 40 percent might has to be removed in a month.

God Bless You All,

Michaela(Mom), Linda(Grandmother), Brittaney and Brendan(Sister and Brother) & Bea (Aunt) to Mickenzie age 2 1/2

Photos are updated!

Sunday, March 14, 2004 0:37 AM CST

It has been a long journey between July 2th 2003 and now March 14th 2004
Mickenzie went through many chemos with many hospitalizations, surgery in November in an attempt to remove the tumors, which was unsuccessful. The tumors where too close to vital arteries and urethra. More, stronger chemos followed. The tumors responded only slightly. Tomorrow Monday, March 15th she is going for surgery again!
Unfortunately a few days ago a tumor was detected in her Vena Cava artery feeding her heart!

Please write in her guestbook to give her courage and hope. This would mean so much to her mom Michaela. She will be able to access the Internet at the hospital. For anyone who likes to send an email to Michaela, email mbbm2004@yahoo.com.
Please pray for Mickenzie and her doctors tomorrow March 15th.
Thanks everyone again and God Bless you,

Bea, Aunt to Mickenzie

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Michaela(Mom), Linda(Grandmother)Brittaney and Brendan(Sister and Brother of Mickenzie)& Bea(Aunt) to Mickenzie age 2 1/2)

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