Naomi's diagnosis

Hello friends,

I have created this blog to track the progress of my niece's healing. Her name is Naomi and she is 3 years old.

THE DISEASE
On Friday, April 28, 2006, doctor's confirmed that Naomi has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). ALL is the most common form of cancer in children. It is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells, called lymphoblasts (or blasts). These blasts crowd out the normal cells in the bone marrow and spread into the blood stream and sometimes to other parts of the body.

For the past several months, Naomi had been complaining about her legs hurting. No one had any idea that it was more than "growing pains", a cry for attention, or some other equally innocuous ailment. Her parents had taken her to see her pediatrician several times, but nothing was ever discovered. She was given all manner of tests for broken bones, strained muscles, etc., but no one suspected it was anything more. However, over the course of the last 2 weeks, we'd all noticed that she was consistently cranky, whined nearly constantly, and that her coloring was significantly paler than normal. On Tuesday, April 25, she began complaining of pain to an even greater degree. By Thursday morning, April 27, she could not walk and was rushed to the emergency room. At this point, doctors took additional blood tests which yielded results which were very different from all the previous testing and it was decided that she should be immediately admitted to Stanford.

The treatment of ALL consists of several phases, all of which are very important. In the first phase (called Induction) treatment is given to remove all visible signs of leukemia so that normal blood cells can return. In the middle phases (Consolidation, Interim Maintenance, and Delayed Intensification) treatment is given to remove any of the remaining leukemia cells. In the final phase (Maintenance), treatment is given to keep the leukemia from coming back (remission).

Disease remission is when al of the leukemia seems to have disappeared. About 80-90% of children are usually cured of ALL, however if the cancer comes back (relapse), there is less chance for a cure.

Because of her age, the number of blasts she currently has in her blood and the type of leukemia, Naomi is considered low to standard risk, which means her chances for a full recovery are high. At then end of Induction therapy (the first phase), her risk for relapse will be determined, depending upon her response to treatment. The fact that there is no leukemia present in her spinal fluid gives additional hope for a full recovery.

The chemotherapy drugs used cause unwanted side effects, including: nausea, vomiting, hair loss and low blood cell counts (which can cause Naomi to feel tired and weak, not be able to fight off infections, and bleed or bruise easily). The side effects are usually reversible when the medications are stopped.

Naomi will receive treatment for the next 3 years. She started chemotherapy this morning. Within 2 hours after her first treatment today, she began walking around and acting like herself! (Well, she is a little cranky, but that's understandable). In any case, it seems like a small miracle...the first of many, I'm sure!

Here are some articles about the disease:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

NAOMI


Naomi was born on the birthday of my grandmother, Mary Alice: 11/7/02. Mary Alice passed away on 6/19/02, and as an homage, Naomi was given Mary Alice as her middle names. In many ways, Naomi reminds us all of her great-grandmother: she's very petite, but strong willed; exceptionally bright and loving. Naomi is a beautiful little girl and we all look forward to watching her blossom into a beautiful woman.

Naomi's favorite color is pink. She is a HUGE fan of Dora the Explorer, loves to play with dogs, bubbles and her toys, and is crazy about her big brother Jeremiah. She loves to visit the Exploratorium and enjoys hands on kids activities. She knows that she is a PRINCESS!

Her parents, Nina and Jermaine, are wonderful and focused on providing her the best treatment and care possible. I'm very proud of them both for their rapid response and absolute insistence that Naomi be cared for by only the top medical professionals available. The medical staff at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital have been exemplary. I am fully confident that they have Naomi's healing and full recovery as their goal.

YOU
Naomi has received hundreds of messages of prayer, well wishes and positive energy. The response has been tremendous and incredibly humbling. I thank each and every one of you for your kindness, consideration, compassion and love. Please continue to keep Naomi in your thoughts and prayers, and feel free to check in on this blog anytime you'd like for updates on her healing journey. I have complete faith that she will once again be the healthy, happy, vibrant Naomi we all know and love!

Thankfully, Naomi's treatment is being covered by Jermaine's insurance (at least up to $1 Million...hopefully the treatment won't go higher than that, but it could). But if you would like to donate to Leukemia research, please follow the links below:

Make a charitable donation
Donate Blood
Join the Bone Marrow Registry

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you all!

Victoria