Monday - regular clinic w/ labs

Wednesday - clinic & injection for MIBG scan

Thursday - MIBG scan (this is the radiological scan)

Friday - CTs (head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis); bone marrow biopsy; dental X-rays w/any necessary repairs; EKG; Echocardiogram, & meeting with the oncology team to discuss results.

The goal of this week is to get a full picture of her progress & to prepare for phase 2 of treatment. 

Results: The results of the bone marrow biopsy won’t be back until next week. The MIBG scan showed a small residual amount of tumor in her abdomen, but ALL the tumor in her bones is gone! Her curie score has dropped from 7 to 1! The oncologist says she is in the perfect spot to start phase 2 of treatment.

Phase 2 of treatments  will begin on May 6th and will require Iris to be hospitalized for 4 to 5 weeks. This will be the most intense phase of treatment. First, they will place a central line under her collar bone opposite of her port. Then, administer chemotherapy for 6 days. The goal of the chemotherapy is to wipe out her bone marrow and white blood cells. Then, she will rest one day. Finally, they will return her stem cells to restart her immune system and rebuild her bone marrow. She will be extremely susceptible to infections while in recovery, so there are some really extreme restrictions on visitors, food prep, toileting, and etc. 

The first 4 day of chemotherapy will be particularly tough. The drug she will be receiving will leach out of her skin potentially causing chemical burns. She will be bathed, changed, and get all new bedding every 6 hours to minimize the risk. It could also cause mucusitis, which is dryness and rawness from her sinus all the way through her digestive tract. If it is sever, they will insert a feeding tube to keep food on her stomach & to give her nutrition. We will all need extra prayers during this time.

Thanks for your prayers and support! 

Check out the ways you can help page to see more ways you can help us as we make this journey.