Today is day 6 of the 28 day home chemotherapy course and everything is going great. Friday, April 26th was day one. We went to the hospital at noon. After she was examined and her broviac central line dressing change was done, she sat in a chair while the IV chemotherapy drugs Ara-C and Cyclophosphamide were given. She also got her monthly IV dose of Pentamidine, which is used as a prophylactic antimicrobial medication given to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia caused by having a depressed immune system. We were then handed the schedule of the chemotherapy she would be getting over the next 28 days. The three days following clinic she received Ara-C at home. Each night for two weeks she takes one oral chemo drug called 6MP. This coming weekend she will again get Ara-C for four days straight. On Friday when she goes in for a checkup, she will also have a lumbar puncture with chemo injected into her spinal fluid. After two weeks, Ashtyn will then only have chemo on Fridays at clinic. She will get a chemotherapy called PEG on the 3rd Friday and Vincristine on the 3rd and 4th Friday. On May 24th she’ll get a bone marrow aspirate to confirm the cancer is still gone and progress towards the bone marrow transplant. The research that has been done to come up with cancer regimens is astonishing.
Ashtyn is looking amazing, is super funny, and has a brain and heart full of energy and spunk. She is always talking with excitement about things she wants to do and places she wants to go. “I want to go to Lagoon.” “Let’s go to the Zoo and see the monkeys.” “A hike would be cool.” “We need to go to Hawaii.” “I am excited to have my huge cancer free party with a bounce house, guacamole, and snow cones.” “Later I need to get my scuba certification and go to Bonaire.” “I would like to go to Disneyland for a day and go to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see Hugh Jackman’s star.” “I would like to go to St. George with you this weekend.” “After I am done with cancer we should have a huge, gigantic shopping spree for clothes, accessories, and awesome stuff.” Several nights ago as I was driving her to a friend’s house she said, “Mom! Let’s just blow this joint and drive to Las Vegas right now! We aren’t getting any younger, and you’re getting up there. We could go to the Coca-Cola store and drink the tray of different Cokes and go to a show!!!” She has such great ideas and enthusiasm, but “my brain wants to do stuff but my body doesn’t.”
On Sunday she walked to church which is five houses away. She listened to Chandler give a talk, stayed for a total of 30 minutes, and was ready to go home. On the way home she needed to rest a few times to catch her breath. Ashtyn stays in my bed most of the day. It’s a blessing my bedroom is on the main level of the house, not too far away from all the family action. There’s a lot of sunlight in the room and a door that leads out to the back deck. She can listen to the kids jump on the trampoline and enjoy the beautiful spring weather even from bed. Friday was by far the busiest day she has had so far. After four hours at the hospital in clinic, we went to Bonsai, a Japanese steak house restaurant, which she had been looking forward to. Afterwards she went to a friend’s house until 10:45 p.m. Once home she still had energy to stay up until 1 a.m. The rest of the week she has been relaxing at home. Yesterday at 5 p.m. her Aunt Kristi came over to visit. Ashtyn was in my bed. Kristi asked, “What did you do today?” With her sense of humor intact Ashtyn said, “Well, I moved to the couch and back.” Kristi responded, “Well that was a productive day.” Carol wrote on a facebook comment for Ashtyn, “Just chill – make lists of all the things your brain wants to do & soon enough your body will feel like doing it!”
Each morning I wake up wondering how she is going to feel that day. So far she has continued to do very well. It has been a joy seeing her with health and strength that allows her true personality to shine. Though she is often in bed, she is so animated and fun to be around. Thank you for your continual prayers.
Bald and Beautiful
13 responses to “Energy”
Ashtyn, You are GORGEOUS!
I came across Ashtyn’s blog by accident. I have been following it ever since. I have a daughter Ashtyn’s age and I often wonder if we were put into this situation if we would handle it with the grace you guys do. I wake up in the morning thinking about your family, even though we have never met you guys are constantly in my thoughts! Ashtyn I am amazed by you your attitude, your spirit, your fight! You are not only a role model for young girls, but a role model for me as well (I’m not so young anymore ; ) )! Keep fighting and one day you will be given the chance to do all those things your brain wants to!
Thank you for your kind words Amanda. We look forward to meeting you at her cancer free party, if not sooner 🙂 Thank you for your support!
Ashtyn!!! we are so glad to here you are doing better! we have been selling lots of bracelets for you and we where ours everyday! we hope you are getting better and having fun now that you can go out and do some things.
love,
xcel daycare staff
Holla…next time ashy i will get u out on the tramp 😉
Hey!! I am so glad to hear that you get to go home. At school, we have written ‘Ashtyn’s Army’ on the whiteboard. We still have ribbons up as well.
Love always,
Amber
Oh, this is Amber form school BTW, had to change my e-mail. :3
OMG!!!!! I didn’t know your cancer was gone! I’m soooo terribly sorry I haven’t read your blog lately! its CRAZY at my place. Anyway I am sooooo very happy that you were able to conquer cancer! I knew you would be strong the whole entire time! EVERYONE is talking about you at school! We all miss you A LOT!!!!!): ): I am very glad that you have been up to doing things… well, obviously you would want to do everything in the whole entire world (and I don’t blame you) Because you have been cooped up in the hospital forever! I’m very happy to see a smile on your face in every picture! Your an amazing, funny, and bright girl! Even though your cancer is over I’m still praying for you, hoping your cancer won’t EVER come back! Miss you!
-Lexi N.
Hey Ashtyn I just wanted you to know that you are always in my thoughts and that I haven’t taken off my ashtyns army bracelet ever! I am a proud member of ashtyns army and will always be there for you!
Ashtyn, I love how energetic your personality is! You are going to keep you mom so busy once you’re feeling well, that you’ll age her another 10 years over night! She’d better stock up on lots of Rock Star and Red Bull energy drinks to keep up with all your shinanigins! Lots of love going out to you and your family!!!!
I too came across your blog by accident, I have to admit I have spent most of the day reading your posts. I am so amazed by the strength of your family and most of all Ashtyn! She is such a beautiful young lady with just a strong spirit! It was crazy reading about her school. I went to canyon view myself 🙂 Asytyn your words have given me strength in my own life, I am 29 yo and lost my son last year he was stillborn at 9 months. I have had a hard time dealing with his loss but I now know that if you my dear can go through what you are and still stand strong and hold on to faith I can as well! Thank you so much sweet girl!! Stay strong and just remember to take one day at a time and when that seems to hard then just take one minute at a time. I will continue to fallow your blog and you will forever be in my heart and prayers. Love April
No words. I am so proud of u. U r my inspiration. I can’t wait to see you!!!!! Just ordered an Ashtyn’s army watch! You are amazing Ashtyn. U are so beautiful!!!!!!!! Great job on the blogs Suzanne!!!!
You are so amazing!!!! I wish I had as much faith and happiness as you do!!!! It makes me so happy to see you happy!!!! Please keep this up!!!! I love seeing this!!!! You can do amazing things!!!!