We made it through BLINA with only a few hiccups, including Sky's port getting pulled out when she fell and the cord got snagged. That was not a fun experience for all involved! Other than that Sky has been feeling great whilst on BLINA and we've been able to have some nice day trips on the weekends. 

We start interim maintenance tomorrow and this will last for 8 weeks of which 4 weeks will be full in-patient admission to hospital. This starts next week and will then alternate between a break for a week and then back in the hospital. 

This did come as a bit of a shock to us as we didn't expect this phase to be so intensive. We would appreciate prayer that Sky is able to be comfortable and tolerate the treatment, for the family to stay energized, for me as I balance being in the hospital whilst trying to work, and Poppy at home with the boys continuing to home school, whilst also trying to visit the hospital.

As a reminder the main treatment phases will continue until the end of March 2026 and then Sky will have 2 years of maintenance which consists of just one hospital visit for chemo once every 3 months so we should return to a relatively normal life at this point.

We've been very thankful for the easier period and slight rest that Sky and the family have been able to have during BLINA and now it's time to get back into the thick of it.

Sky's med's during interim maintenance:
Vincristine (chemo drug) - given once every two weeks via her port
Methotrexate SF (chemo drug) - given once per month (twice in this phase) via lumbar puncture directly into spinal fluid
Methotrexate IV (chemo drug) - given once every two weeks via her port (this is the reason we stay in the hospital. This drug has previously only been given directly into Sky's spinal fluid but in this phase will go into her blood via her port. We need to stay in the hospital as long as it is still in her system)
Mercaptopurine (chemo drug) - given orally once every day for the full 2 months of this phase.
Leucovorin (antidote for harmful effects of methotrexate) - given orally twice every two weeks
IV pentam (anti-infective to prevent pneumonia) - given via IV once per month for the full two months of this phase.
IVIG (immune system boost) -  given via IV once per month for the full two months of this phase. 
Zofran (anti-nausea drug) - given orally as needed.