One Year Post-Transplant Results

Lydia - July 2013

   It has been almost 1 1/2 years (March 30) since our little Lydia was first diagnosed with leukemia.   She immediately began a grueling regimen of intense chemo to kill all of the leukemia cells and then her bone marrow. After the last round she received a bone marrow transplant, on June 29.  Throughout this past year, Lydia has made miraculous advances with the improvement of her immune system and overall health to normal levels.  Today, she is a happy, feisty, well-adjusted toddler who is an absolute joy to our family.  More importantly, the results from her one-year, post-transplant test that were obtained late last week show that Lydia is still 100% Cancer Free!  All the cells being created by Lydia are now healthy ones stemming from her sibling donor as opposed to the problematic, leukemia cells her body once produced.  For this gift of continued life, we thank God immensely because we know that sometimes our prayers are not answered in the way we feel things should be done.  However, through all of this, we have learned to trust way beyond our human comfort level because we have been promised that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28).  We have had the assurance from the beginning that our all-loving God loves our baby even more than we do, and we knew that even if the healing didn't come, his ways are still higher than ours.  We are so grateful that he heard our heart-felt cries, and those from all of you, and answered our prayers with healing.

Lydia - July 2012

Early on in Lydia’s disease, the doctors provided a timeline of treatment complete with various milestones that needed to be reached for successful recovery. She met them after each round of chemo pre-transplant, and then at her 28-day and 100-day post-transplant bone marrow aspiration test dates.  By the grace of God, she also survived a life-threatening liver disease that developed shortly after her transplant. There were also milestone dates for discontinuing the many medicines Lydia originally took:  she came home on eight medications administered several times a day, and 12 hours of intra-veinous feeding.   Lydia's last dose of any medication was last Friday, and she is eating and drinking like a champ!  She has had one (or two after transplant) broviacs (like pic-lines) in her chest since diagnosis, and she now has none! There was worry over the donor cells being rejected – none of that has happened thus far. The most significant marker was the one-year post-transplant test completed a couple of weeks ago.  Lydia was sedated and significant blood samples and bone tissue were extracted from her bone marrow for testing.  Late Thursday afternoon (July 11, 2013), our hematologist/oncologist called to share the good news that Lydia’s results were the best they could have expected!!

Lydia - July 2013

  So where do we go from here?  Having favorably reached these milestones, the prognosis for Lydia is quite good.  The great majority of  leukemia patients in Lydia's position make a complete recovery and go on to live normal lives.  Lydia will continue to have her blood checked every few months to monitor her levels.  Her immune system is functioning well so she is able to fight off common colds and infections. We are also able to once again begin her vaccinations that were eradicated with her the transplant.  Shots never sounded so good! 

   Therefore, we are at a good point in this journey, but the story is not finished yet.  We are well aware of all the continued risks that are present with leukemia patients.  However, Lydia's health will remain in God's hands and that is also where our trust will remain.   "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.  Peace to all of you and many thanks for your continued support and prayers!