We had some wonderful new this morning! Alyssa went to see Dr Finkelstein today, her chemo doctor, Blankie doctor ( Alyssas name for Doctor) He told us that Alyssa has reached survivorship, which means that Alyssa is 5 yrs out from treatment and Now we can say she is Cancer Free! This should bring you all up to date and fill you in if you dont know about Alyssa: Alyssa was diagnosed with Leukemia August 2, 2007. She was just 3 years old. Alyssa road had been a difficult one, Alyssas treatment and set backs were all on the harsh side but that didnt stop this lil girl! Alyssa has been able to Smile in spite of every turn and twist in her road. Alyssa had many virus that hit her along the way. We were told that she had rare a virus, which she had several of those, or this virus not is common, as well as, this virus usual doesnt happen, the worst one was late July 2008, and that was the Herpes Encephalitis Virus. This hit the back of her brain. This is the one that took her sight and left her handicap on the right side. Alyssa had to learn to sit up, talk, walk everything just like a baby would. Alyssa road still had more challenges to go through. Alyssa started to have seizure! Her seizure were from January 2009 through May 2011. It was decided the only thing that could help Alyssa was brain surgery! That was November 2010, at UCLA. The doctors had to remove 2/3 of the left hemispheric. They found that this was the area that was triggering the seizures. The left side was damaged due to the Herpes Encephalitis Virus. And if that wasnt enough she had a brain infection six weeks later, February of 2011, which required another brain surgery. Alyssa had to learn to sit up, talk, and walk just like a baby after both surgery. Alyssa had more hospital stays than I can remember, the stays were anywhere from 3 days to 65 twice! She was at Milers Children Hospital in Long Beach and at UCLA She had more testing than anyone should have MRI, EEGS, CAT Scans, Spinal taps, Pet Scan and more........ I cant tell you the amount of meds that Alyssa had been on This one worked, that one didnt work, some of the side effect even put her in the hospital. Then there was will try this one and see. I think at one time she was on 15 or so! Alyssa is now on 1 seizure med, her seizures came back October 2013. She had been seizure free since May 8th 2011 Juliette had found some information for a seizure detection dogs, 4-Paws for Ability in Ohio. The fund raising was off and running and before we knew it we had reached our goal. We received our date for our class and a picture of Flint! Alyssa couldnt wait until the day we headed out to Ohio. We started training on February 14th 2012 it couldnt be on better day! Alyssa and Flint are buddies, Flint goes to school on the bus with Alyssa. He is very tentative to her and has helped Alyssa to to be more confidant, that has add to Alyssas I can do it attitude! There is so much more that Flint has helped Alyssa with. We are so glad and thankful for 4-Paws for Ability for training a dog like Flint. We couldnt have done it without all of you! We cant Thank all of you enough for your generosity in helping Alyssa to get Flint! Alyssa has the the light of Our Lord in her, that shines from her face. We see that in her beautiful smile. The Lord has continues to carried her through all of this harshness. Alyssa has been given the strength to go through all of this even when it seemed never to end. She has shown us all to be strong in the face of adversity no matter what! We all have been on this very rough and rocky road since August 2007. You have been there to help us every step of the way, when we couldnt think or feel, you have been there to help all of us. You came to the hospital or to the house to see how we were. you brought us meals, sat with Alyssa to give us a break, brought me coffee in the mornings. You came and shared Gods word with us. You showed up and gave to us freely. We couldnt have survived any of this without your Love, support, caring, your calls of encouragement more than all of that its been your constant Prayers. Your Prayers have works! Our Faith has been tested time and time again, even though I dont know the answer to all that has happened to Alyssa, There is a reason beyond us all, and only The Lord has it. I had to question, My Faith was tested, Why Lord, Why...so much for this Lil girl but no answer came. I found myself to lean into the Lord more and more, not for answers but strength to be there no matter what. I found myself trust that more shall be revealed. I learned to welcome the help that came our way, accepting the help from all our Family, LBAC Family, Friend, and even people I just met. Which was hard for me. We all have been on our knees praying for healing for this Lil Girl, and maybe that was the reason, to have us praying for her, To have us Praying and today we have been given an answer....... Alyssa is Cancer Free! Tonight we can all celebrate this Lil Girl, Alyssa Who is now 10 yrs and in the 4th grade, who now tell us she is a Big Girl! Thank you for all of your Prayers and being there for all of us! Cindy This is what Juliette Dobbs Palomaki wrote this morning after our visit: When Alyssa was first diagnosed with Leukemia we were told that she would be in treatment for 2.5 years and then it would take another 5 years after treatment to be considered cured. That day seemed like a far off fairytale, one that at times I didnt think we would get to but today the great Dr. Finkelstein told us that Alyssa has reached survivorship! There is no better word in the world than survivorship! I always knew my girl was brave and a true fighter but now we can add survivor to the list of her amazing attributes!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 04:44:17 +0000
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