Chemo and the RTU

Today marks the end of the induction phase, which also means she goes into the RTU (Rapid Treatment Unit) where she had 3 procedures done.  The day first started with us going in a little early to visit with Lilly's friend Michalla who has a different kind of treatment and has to stay at the hospital longer.  So we spent some time with her to help lift her spirits.  While we were there Michalla was so nice to paint Lilly's fingernails a lovely purple with sparkles and flowers.  We then proceeded to the clinic where they checked Lilly's CBC and ANC levels (Complete Blood Count, Absolute Neutrophil Count) to see if she'd need a blood transfusion before she went to the RTU.  Turns out she's doing great. Her platelets were at 444 (they get transfusions at 20) and her ANC reached 900 (Since they first started Chemo she's been at 0 until the last 2 weeks she reached 100) and she didn't need a blood transfusion.  Her ANC represents her good mature white blood cell count. A normal persons ANC ranges from 1,500-8,000.  So, she's still at risk but it also means she can FINALLY go out of the house (With caution of course).

Once we finished with the Clinic it was time to go down to the RTU.  Lilly was very scared and emotional about going to sleep and rightfully so.  During the placement of her PICC line she woke up and remembers feeling them adjust the catheter another two more times before it was set correctly into her heart. The first two attempts went up her neck instead of down into her heart.  Needless to say it was a traumatizing thing for Lilly to handle, waking up during the middle of something like that.  She expressed her concerns to the doctors and nurses and they ensured her that it would not happen in the RTU and that they use a different and stronger medicine to keep her asleep.  Even still she was very anxious to go but, of course Lilly being the brave girl she is went in with her mother.

The procedures went rather quickly 20-25 minutes, hence the name Rapid Treatment Unit.  While she was in there she had a spinal tap, bone marrow aspirate, and intrathecal chemo (Chemo is introduced to the body via the spinal tap).  We were then able to go into the recovery room and help her wake up.  It's always SO HARD to see our lovely Lilly do so many hard hard things.  

We were actually surprised at how well she did.  She even wanted to go back up to Michalla's room to spend more time with her.  But, while we were waiting to find out if we could we found the piano and Lilly was able to play the first part to "Let it Go" from Frozen.  She's getting to be so good at the piano that a man came around the corner to see who was playing and was surprised to see 6 year little Lilly at the keys.  And to think she's only started learning it this week. We'll have to post a video once she has learned the rest.  Afterward we were able to spend some good quality time with Lilly's SMAWESOME (Super Mega Awesome) friend Michalla where we did more nails, played with plush blood cells and drew pictures on her window.

We Sure LOVED spending time with Michalla

Then it was time to come home but, like I mentioned we were now able to go outside "without a mask!!!" says Lilly.  Since it was such a beautiful day we took Lilly on a walk around the block while she rode in a wagon.  How great was that to end a hard day with fun things to do.


For a good source of info on ALL Leukemia.