Who is Isa?
Isa (pronounced ee-suh) a three-year-old girl, was diagnosed January 14, 2009 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, ALL.
Treatment Bear goes with her to procedures, and George is just visiting.
For nearly three years she will receive chemotherapy. This blog informs her family, friends and anyone interested in the journey of leukemia. Ideally, if you know us you have been keeping up. If you don’t know us, check out the top posts. If you have a child with Leukemia, especially one that was recently diagnosed, please, leave a message.
We appreciate the prayers, and need the spiritual support, but at this time the physical world is the one weighing us down. Consider donating in any amount to help us with our vent cleaning, and buying things like HEPA air filters.
- Isa with her sister G.
Isa's Leukemia, Our Lives 
My 3 year old Son was just diagnosed with Mixed Phenotype Acute Lukaemia, we have passed Induction, about to commence Consolidation 1. Thank you for your blog, it gives me hope xxxxx #Rally4Ryder
Also look into ozone therapy, wheatgrass, and anything else alternative that you can find.
I didn’t realize anyone still read this blog. It helped me to write it.
my daughter jasmine was diagnosed with all recently. she spent her 13th birthday in the marsden. she has just done the induction stage and is at the point of remission…..although she is on regimen b they are putting her on the regimen c which is more intensive. why?
No idea… Good luck it is a long process. Ask your providers as much as you can, and if you need to have them write it down for you. That way you can take it with you and look up and always write your questions down before you get there. That way you can remember them.
I am sending all positive vibes. It is not a membership one aspires to have. I have much admiration for your strength and grace. All the best.
Our 17month old daughter was just diagnosed with Pre-B ALL this past Wednesday. I’m scouring the internet for information and mostly for other parents who are going through this/have gone through it. Happened upon you first – glad to see you are done with treatment! Hope all is well!
I am so sorry that you have to be a part of this club. It isn’t fun and it is a very long process. It makes planning for things very difficult and the best advice I can give is be here now, for yourself and your daughter. Come back as often as you need to.
My 17 month old son was diagnosed with ALL on August 2, 2010 at 13 months.
So sorry that you get to be a part of this group. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone!
my daughter 5 yr.old also
Thanks so much for sharing. My 6yr old daughter, Carson, was diagnosed with preB cell ALL on April 30, 2009. She was also put in standard risk-high and is just completing Interim Maintenance #1 so we are a few months behind Isa’s schedule. I’m a little terrifed about our first Delayed Intensification which begins on the 19th. Any thoughts on how it compared to Intensified Consolidation? Your pictures are so cute … she reminds me so much of my own beautiful baldy!
Compared to consolidation, DI was easier. BUT, Isa went into the DI healthier. So it depends on what has been going on. The first have of DI was similar to maintenance EXCEPT for that Doxo. THAT drug freaks me, with its heart related side effects. The second half of DI we ended up in the hospital twice for Fever & Neutropenia. NOT FUN. But, consolidation she looked terrible Ara-C AND Cytoxan two months in a row really kicked her butt. I am NOT as worried this time about DI, but then have not done it yet. It could be worse than last time. Isa’s second maintenance has been tougher on her. The docs continued to INCREASE the methotrexate based on where she ended last time. SO THAT SUCKS as far as side effects go, and as far as cancer killng goes I suppose it is great!. Hope that helps and please contact me for more discussions. I am totally down with that!
Isa and Family,
Blogs like yours have helped me as a parent, and also my kids who like seeing pictures of other kiddos 🙂 My daughter Mimi was diagnosed 8/12/09 her twin sister Iza noticed your blog since Isa looks like her name 🙂
Hugs and good thoughts!
Kat and 3 monkeys
what a great mom you must be
Just looking at these little people, who knew nothing about cancer, makes me sad.
My 5 year old daughter Kayla was diagnosed with ALL on Dec. 21 2008. My husband was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma 2 days before that.
It was interesting to see what your clinic day looks like. The accessing bothers Kayla as well, even though I put her numbing cream on before we leave the house. So it has a good 2 hours. I know that it is just anxiety that gets to her. I will be thinking about your little girl ❤
Sounds like you’ve had a busy spring! I hope both are doing well.
No matter how much or how little cream she had on she’d still scream. Once I even forgot it all together and she actually screamed less that time. Because I was so sick of the screaming I devised a plan to STOP it. So far so good. I take a piece of paper and stickers to the hospital. For every “good” thing i.e. not screaming she gets stickers one or two or whatever seems like it might work. Once she gets enough stickers, an as yet undetermined number, she will get BALLET SHOES. THE REAL LEATHER ONES. So it depends on how long it takes me to save the money to get two pair (because her sister has been earning stickers too) and a couple of leotards.
Hello…
I just came upon your blog today. I also have a three year old daughter name Isa. I will keep your family in my prayers.
I tweeted to you. Thanks for sharing. Like I said there, Isabella ranked in the top five for at least the past 5 years. Who knew? Isa has an interesting first name in case she wants to stand out later.
: )
BEAUTIFUL PICS, I am praying for your family!
Hi,
Thanks for the tweet. Isa is a beautiful little girl.
I will keep Isa in my thoughts and prayers.
Relentless for a cure!
Best wishes,
Ross
Guess I better get some running shoes. It seems like everyone is doing it!! Thanks for visiting.
Your family will be in our prayers. Isa is a beautiful girl & we are rooting for you!
Hi Isa and family,
My sweet Avery was diagnosed 4/15/08, just shortly after turning 3. She also has ALL, and has been very fortunate and has responded well to all of her treatments. She held on to her hair until mid way through Delayed Intensification – which WAS intense. She goes back to the clinic this Tuesday for IV vincristine and labs – she’s 1/3 of the way done with her 3rd course of Maintenance and kicking butt. I read through some of your posts, but haven’t read them all yet. I want you to know that I felt precisely the same way about the hair thing. I had dreaded it for months, but once it all really started coming out (most of it came out within 24 hours) and she was left with her “fairy hair” it was a bit of a relief. Probably because she handled it so much better than I ever could have expected. Then, my husband shaved her head and she, too, was beautiful and hairless. It’s coming back in now and it’s much darker, but looks like she’s going to get her curls back! YAY! Isa is a cutie patootie, and seems like an amazing girl with an amazing family. I would be glad to fill you in on some of the fundraisers we’ve done if you’d like to e-mail me directly at averybravery@socal.rr.com – I wish you and your family all the best and lots of strength and laughter. Big hugs from Avery Bravery
I am still praying and thinking about you! You are not alone…… many people are praying for you.
Love Angel (Bradenton, FL)
Thanks sometimes it is good to hear that people are still there with us.
Thanks Angel, that means a lot to me and my daughter’s family.
You’re the best!
I’m praying, chanting, and sending you all of my most positive vibes.
E,
I glad we reconnected al la the computer and thank you for sharing your blog. Writing is a porweful tool to put our collective healing energy together. You are all in my heart.
Love,
Jenn
I don’t know how to rotate the photo…Sorry.
Having a 2 yr old with ALL Leukemia, I have pulled every trick out of my bag to get his meds down. There were times I thought for sure I ODed him- as he would throw up at least 3 times before keeping it down. I have learned what helps mask the steroids, and all the fun mood swings as well as food cravings! AHHH~ I hate steroid time! I think I need something to make it through! :o) I would be happy to chat with you guys about any thing you need~ We are half way through our treatments and it does become a new “Normal”. You won’t remember life prior to Jan.11. Our diagonised date was Jan 8~ a date you will never forget. It does get better….you will have your ups and downs, but it does get better! Much love to all of you~ Melissa Keating
Boy oh boy, that gigi looks just like her mama!
You are in my thoughts and prayers (constantly), sending positive and healing energy for ALL of you (constantly). Give the girls and each other a hug for me…
With Love & Gratitude,
Debi
Hi Isa, G, Mama&Papa-
we are thinking about you all the time – sending you our prayers for comfort, strength, hope.
Wish we were there to play with G and give a hug. Love-
I see that you guys are having trouble with the oral meds. Andrew is on many stinky, bitter, nasty, etc. supplements daily. He has been taking them for over a year. At first, I was able to mix them into juices and milk. Seeing as how these supplements are helping with his sensory issues, as his sense of smell and taste improved, we had to change the mode of entry a bit.
At this time, the only way we can actually get the medicine in his mouth is by crushing it and mixing it with organic chocolate syrup or honey and shooting it into the side of his mouth with an oral syringe. Beforehand, i explain what he will recieve in return for swallowing the medicine.ie: juice box, sucker, DVD, etc. It took a few weeks before he got the picture…but it payed off.
I change the reward according to what I feel will motivate him each day. I know this isn’t much, but I hope it helps! KY Cousin Ashley
I made the phone calls you asked me to Phoebe. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tell Isa that her friend, Zachary, has been praying for her. We’re glad to see you are going home. That’s wonderful. Please let us know if we can do anything at all for you.
Missy
Hi Isa. Michele Gish told me that you are in the hospital. I know that you are going to get stronger every day. You have alot of people praying for you, and your family. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Miss Barb
Just know that your Cousin in South Bend, is praying for you all.
Elisa,
I am having trouble with the blog but Tara told me you wanted to know how chemo felt. This is how it was for me:
1. The treatments are cumulative. The more you have the worse you feel.
2. The first three days after each treatment were the worst.
3. It feels like you have a really bad case of the flu all the time (body aches, nausea, chills and exhaustion.)
4. I had my treatments every 2 weeks. I felt pretty good the 2nd week and was able to go about my usual routine.
5. I always had a bad taste in my mouth from the chemicals in the chemo. I drank a lot of lemonade because it seemed to “cut” the taste. I also ate cinnamon candy. When I was hungry I wanted things like mashed potatoes, grilled cheese, chicken noodle soup, you know, bland stuff.
I hope this helps. I will be praying for Isa every day.
Michele
I just wanted to write to share that I am lifting you and your entire family and medical care team up in prayers right now. Having spent a little time at Riley as a child and having some awesome relatives work there too I know you are at a great place for treatment and CARE. Look for the good, pray for the best and kiss your baby girl every chance you get!
Hang in there. Peace,
Hello Isa & Family:
I am a friend of your grandmother’s (Jo). I think the world of her as she is a wonderful woman. She talks about her grandkids all the time and I know how much she loves them 🙂 I just want you to know that you will be in my daily thoughts and prayers. I hope that Isa is already on her way to a speedy and full recovery. Best wishes and positive thoughts sent your way…
Hi There Pork Chop:
Hope your mother tells you about this blog, cause I know how much you like to be called Pork Chop.
We love you a lot and think of you everyday.
Pappy and Gran