Admitted 19th February 2018 Vincrystine Cyclophosphamite Doxarumicin Discharged 22nd February 2018 Round 6 was a repeat of round 4, only 4 days but intensive. The now usual loss of appetite and general grumpiness set in for a few days. Ongoing digestive tract issues continued to make things challenging. Her bowels would swing from constipation… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 10. Chemotherapy Round 6

  This is my favourite photo of Erika during treatment. She looks to me to be telling us “It’s ok. I got this”. Admitted 22nd January 2018 Cysplatin Etopiside Discharged 27th January 2018 Round 5 protocol was a repeat of round 3. We were fortunate that Erika’s vomiting wasn’t quite as bad as round 3,… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 9. Chemotherapy Round 5

Admitted 27th Dec 2017 Chemotherapy : Vincrystine Cyclophosphamite Doxarumicin Discharged 30th Dec 2017 Round 4 was only 3 days of treatment but it was ‘intensive’. She became quite grumpy and stopped eating again. The side effects seemed to compound with each round now. Her skin was becoming dark, especially her hands and feet. This is… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 8. Chemotherapy Round 4

Admitted – 4th Dec 17 Chemotherapy: Cysplatin Etopiside Discharged – 8th Dec 17 Cysplatin is one of the most effective cancer killing chemotherapies.  We were told by nurses and other oncology parents that it is also one of the worst for side effects, notably nausea and vomiting and wow, did it live up to that.… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 7. Chemotherapy Round 3

Admitted – 9th Nov 17 Chemotherapy: Cyclophosphamide – 5 days – 1 hour/day Topotecan – 5 days – 30 minutes/day Discharged – 14th Nov 17 Readmitted – 19th Nov 17 Fever – (febrile) Round 2 was the same chemo as round 1 but because the risk of tumour lysis had passed, Erika wasn’t on continuous fluid… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 5. Chemotherapy Round 2

Erika playing at our Ronald McDonald unit after we were discharged from hospital Chemotherapy: Cyclophosphamide – 5 days – 1 hour/day Topotecan – 5 days – 30 minutes/day Discharged – 21st Oct 17 The beginning of her treatment was, of course, scary. We had no idea how she would react to the chemo but we had… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 4. Chemotherapy Round 1

  Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour cancers found in children mostly between the ages of 0 – 5. Erika was 16 months old at diagnosis but it is quite possible she had a tiny tumour when she was born. Neuro – meaning nerves Blastoma – meaning a cancer that affects immature or developing… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 3. What is Neuroblastoma and how is it treated

  Urine test(an external collection bag with an adhesive surround for attaching on the skin (check for catecholamines levels. This is a chemical produced by the adrenal gland and excreted with urine. Levels will be much higher than normal in neuroblastoma patients) Cannula inserted in back of her hand and a small splint and bandage… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 2. Diagnosis

Jason, Erika and Nicole just a couple of weeks before diagnosis. Her first beach visit and the last time she was able to swim for 2 years. So life was cruising along nicely for me and my family. My husband of 31 years, Owen and I were happily married and his job allowed him to… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 1. Prediagnosis