Initial Diagnosis
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The Heath Family
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The Heath Family
On the 20th of May our precious little Sky was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
It has been a very emotional time for our family but we have been overwhelmed by the love and support from all of our family and friends in these initial couple of weeks since Sky’s diagnosis. We have felt uplifted in the knowledge that Sky has hundreds of people across continents praying earnestly to the Lord for her, and this is the most important support and encouragement that we can ask for.
Sky has begun her treatment plan which will last 2-3 years in various phases. We are currently in the first 28 day phase called Induction. This is a period of intense chemotherapy and steroids for Sky and it is taking its toll on her body but she is doing incredibly well.
When diagnosing the Leukemia type the doctors also do tests to determine if the patient has any genetic markers that may affect how the disease progresses in the patient. Last Friday we received great news from her DNA profiling that she has no negative markers and one positive marker. This means that she is now in the standard - favourable risk category. This is the highest chance of success category for paediatric Leukemia.
We are on day 14 of induction so we are halfway through. On day 29 Sky will have another bone barrow extraction and lumbar puncture. If the tests are Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) negative then Sky will remain in the standard favourable category. If the result is positive then this will affect her category and also treatment plan.
This is really the next milestone in treatment. Until then we continue to pray and take each day as it comes.
In terms of a specific update for this morning Sky had an okay night and is having a good morning even roaring with a smile at the nurse who just came in to take her blood pressure!
We’ll continue to update each day for those looking for regular updates.
All our love,
Michael, Poppy, Nathan, Elijah, and beautiful Sky.
It has been a very emotional time for our family but we have been overwhelmed by the love and support from all of our family and friends in these initial couple of weeks since Sky’s diagnosis. We have felt uplifted in the knowledge that Sky has hundreds of people across continents praying earnestly to the Lord for her, and this is the most important support and encouragement that we can ask for.
Sky has begun her treatment plan which will last 2-3 years in various phases. We are currently in the first 28 day phase called Induction. This is a period of intense chemotherapy and steroids for Sky and it is taking its toll on her body but she is doing incredibly well.
When diagnosing the Leukemia type the doctors also do tests to determine if the patient has any genetic markers that may affect how the disease progresses in the patient. Last Friday we received great news from her DNA profiling that she has no negative markers and one positive marker. This means that she is now in the standard - favourable risk category. This is the highest chance of success category for paediatric Leukemia.
We are on day 14 of induction so we are halfway through. On day 29 Sky will have another bone barrow extraction and lumbar puncture. If the tests are Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) negative then Sky will remain in the standard favourable category. If the result is positive then this will affect her category and also treatment plan.
This is really the next milestone in treatment. Until then we continue to pray and take each day as it comes.
In terms of a specific update for this morning Sky had an okay night and is having a good morning even roaring with a smile at the nurse who just came in to take her blood pressure!
We’ll continue to update each day for those looking for regular updates.
All our love,
Michael, Poppy, Nathan, Elijah, and beautiful Sky.
Comments
Sophie Heath
Ricardo Plaza
Nic Bond
Phill Firmin
Dibarrett
Lynn Dauson