Induction Cycle #2

We are back! Our second cycle of chemo started on May 20th. We had our first in clinic appointment at the specialty center where they drew labs to determine if Ariana's counts were in a good spot to start treatment again.

The oncology floor of the specialty center operates very similarly to the oncology floor of the hospital. Every patient and staff member there knows and understands the protocol: keep distance for others, respect others' belongings, and wear masks in the waiting room. Being home we got a small taste of what outside life looked like. We still took many precautions, so it was nice to be back in a place where those precautions were the "normal". Such an odd thing to come to terms with: Ariana is now, and for the foreseeable future, immunocompromised.

Luckily the labs we got done in clinic came back pretty quick and we were allowed to be re-admitted to continue her treatment plan. We were so excited to be welcomed back into our room that we had during round 1 which is one of the nicer/bigger rooms with 3 windows. Very grateful that we could bring Ariana back to a familiar space.

Treatment started that very day. It took a bit of time to be readmitted, settle into the room, receive doctor's orders - so we didn't start her chemotherapy until about 5 pm. I was a bit bummed that it was so late in the day, because this would set the cadence for the next day's medication schedule.

Our spirits were greatly uplifted when we were paired with one of our favorite night shift nurses! She had us a few times during our first stay and so it was nice to have someone to welcome us back that we had such great rapport with. Every staff member that we have encountered here has truly made a difference. We can't thank them enough!

Ariana's treatment plan this go around was similar to her cycle 1, but with some different medications. She received two IV chemo medications and one oral chemo medication on days 1 and 2, followed by three IV chemo medications and one chemo medication on days 3-5, and ended with the remaining 9 days on the oral chemo medication. 14 days total of chemotherapy.

Ariana struggled tremendously with nausea this cycle. She was vomiting almost every other day at night while on our treatment. It was extremely difficult to go through and see her struggle. During one of her episodes of throwing up, she ended up throwing up her intranasal feeding tube which resulted us in having to remove it and placing a new one. It was not fun. Thankfully, the doctors put her on anti nausea meds which helped the intensity of the vomiting until it eventually subsided.

We were extremely blessed to have such minimal side effects during her treatment. She lost the majority of her hair during round one and her hair thinned more this cycle, but not as many clumps of hair like before. I honestly didn't notice it this round, but looking at the pictures again from the beginning of this cycle to now, it is noticeable. This all being said, she still has a little bit of hair on her head. I tried to save every strand I found in a keepsake.

After the leaving the PICU that very first week after diagnosis, her skills regressed a lot. She didn't speak too much, wasn't signing, and didn't want to walk/crawl/stand up. When we went home we saw a significant return of her skills, which we were so grateful for. A lot of families of littles that we have graciously been able to connect with talks about reliving your child's "Firsts" - first words, first crawl, first stand, first steps, etc. I remember the joy we felt when she achieved all these milestones for the first time, before cancer. However, nothing will compare to seeing her accomplish these milestones again for the first time after this grueling treatment. That same joyous feeling, amplified with gratefulness and relief.

Ariana now is talking more than ever and I feel like she learns a new word or small phrase daily. She can crawl and stand again without assistance. We are still working on her walking skill. She can walk assisted with her push cart and by holding someone's hands pretty consistently. She is still building her confidence for solo walking, but has taken some steps by herself when she's REALLY motivated!

We are currently on Day 25 (June 14, 2025) and Ariana is doing really well. Her energy levels remain high and she wants to explore every inch of this hospital. We love seeing her staying so strong and happy after seeing her go through the thick of it during her first round. She has also put back on her weight, and she is now back in the 90th percentile (which is where she was prior to diagnosis) and seems to be getting taller each week. Cancer tried to stop this little girl, but she is persevering and is thriving. We are in awe of God's work on Ariana and are grateful for his presence in our lives each day. He is working miracles and we continue to find comfort in strength through Him.

As of today, we are still waiting for her counts to recover. This means that her body is still trying to get back on track and make her own white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Her platelets are increasing, which one of the doctors explained is the first component to typically increase during this period. We remain hopeful that her other counts will soon follow. We are so grateful for every family member and friend who has shown up both of these rounds to show her some love and support. Whether virtually, through letters or in person: every interaction uplifts us and we just love the time spent with the people we love. Thank you every one!

Totals (as of today) from both cycles 1 and 2:

As I stated previously, Ariana and many others rely on donated blood products every day to survive. We encourage everyone to donate when they can and if they are healthy to do so. To find more information about local blood drives and places where you can donate platelets, please visit https://www.aabb.org/for-donors-patients/give-blood and https://www.bloodcenter.org/donate/donating-options/platelets/