0% Leukemia!

On Monday, May 15, 2006, Naomi had a bone marrow test and a biopsy. The procedure was fast, and she came through easily. The results came in very quickly, and the doctors told us that Naomi now has 0% Leukemia in her bone marrow! The blood cells are very young, early stage new blood cells, and currently these blood cells have no leukemia. At her original diagnosis, on April 27, 2006, Naomi was 94% Leukemic. At her next bone marrow test, taken after the start of chemotherapy, Naomi was 46% leukemic. Now she's 0% leukemic! The doctors are now waiting to see if the new blood cells develop into mature blood cells which will remain non-leukemic. If she remains at 0% until the next bone marrow test, Naomi will be officially declared in remission.

On May 29, 2006, Naomi will undergo another surgical procedure. This will be to insert a PORT Line into Naomi's chest. Children with cancer often need frequent IV (Intraveneous) medications, fluids, transfusion and/or blood tests. As opposed to pricking the each several times per day for these treatments and procedures, some children benefit from a more permanent type of IV line. The PORT line is this type.

The port is a small flexible tube that tunnels under the skin into the neck and enters a large vein near the heart. A surgeon places the port when the patient is under general anesthesia. Instead of exiting through the skin, the tube connects to a small, round quarter-sized chamber that rests just under the skin. The port chamber is about one-half inch thick. To access the port, a special needle is used to puncture through the skin and the top of the port, allowing IV medicine to then be given and/or blood samples taken. This needle is changed once a week. You may apply a topical anesthetic to the skin one hour before the needle is placed in order to decrease any discomfort when the skin is punctured. The needle is removed when IV access is not needed. The port can be felt through the skin but is not seen. It does not need a bandage (dressing) and needs no special care when the needle is out.

The family would love visitors if anyone has free time. Just call ahead, and please don't come if you have a cold, fever, flu or anything else that could affect Naomi's compromised immune system. And if you happen to bring a meal with you, all the better! : )