We're back in the hospital this weekend for Greta's 9th treatment of chemo. Can you believe it? Nine rounds and she is still able to get her counts back up to keep up the every two week schedule. The doctors and nurses had warned us that she would never be able to maintain this aggressive schedule, but once again Greta has amazed them with her strength.
It looks like it's a great Labor Day weekend, and we intend to be home Monday morning first thing so we can enjoy the day at home with our family.
Thanks again to everyone for their prayers and notes of support. Thank you Kari for your help getting the word out there and posting the pictures of Greta on the blog. I love the pictures of her with Grammy sharing a laugh, it brings a smile to my face every time I see it!
With love,
The Betz Family
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Enjoying Time at Home
We're back home again after the 8th round of chemo. We're past the half way point for the plan for 30 weeks of treatment, so we're excited about that, although it still sounds like a long time yet! We were back in for clinic and labs on Friday, and, as we anticipated, Greta needed another blood transfusion, so it turned into a full day at the hospital. That's okay with us, though, as it meant a happy and healthy girl for the weekend.
The whole family was able to spend the weekend at Grammy and Opa's house in Clarkston. It was our first trip back since Easter. Even so, Greta didn't seem to have forgotten anything and walked straight in the house and got right into playing with the toys.
Mom and Dad were able to attend a family wedding (congrats to Matt and Cindy!) and Gavin and Greta were well taken care of by our family friends. They enjoyed playing with all the toys, enjoying the swing and a stroller ride. Thanks again, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike!
It's a lot easier to imagine these next several weeks of treatments and hospital stays, knowing that Greta's out of the woods for now. While not the most fun thing we do together, it's a lot less stressful now that we know it's worked, and that makes all the difference.
Hope you and yours are well, thanks for your messages!
The Betzes
The whole family was able to spend the weekend at Grammy and Opa's house in Clarkston. It was our first trip back since Easter. Even so, Greta didn't seem to have forgotten anything and walked straight in the house and got right into playing with the toys.
Mom and Dad were able to attend a family wedding (congrats to Matt and Cindy!) and Gavin and Greta were well taken care of by our family friends. They enjoyed playing with all the toys, enjoying the swing and a stroller ride. Thanks again, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike!
It's a lot easier to imagine these next several weeks of treatments and hospital stays, knowing that Greta's out of the woods for now. While not the most fun thing we do together, it's a lot less stressful now that we know it's worked, and that makes all the difference.
Hope you and yours are well, thanks for your messages!
The Betzes
Friday, August 15, 2008
PET Scan Results
Negative for cancer!
We're reeling a little from the results of Greta's PET scan. Doctors tell us that the scan shows no indication of cancer in her little body! It is likely that they will continue with chemotherapy, to finish the course she's on, and once that's complete, possibly do exploratory surgery to take tissue biopsies for further testing; but the incredible PET scan results tell them there is no immediate need to radiate or operate.
Can you believe it?! So many have asked for a miracle on our behalf, and here it is! We're quietly celebrating here; Greta commemorated the moment by having a nap on the floor of her hospital room, Mommy and Daddy did a low-key but joyful end-zone dance - and the rest of us are pinching ourselves.
We're thrilled! Thank you, everyone, for your prayers! What an awesome day!!!
Greta and family should probably be home Sunday or Monday, they can't wait to enjoy sharing this great news with friends & family!!!
Love to all,
(A VERY RELIEVED) Kari :)
We're reeling a little from the results of Greta's PET scan. Doctors tell us that the scan shows no indication of cancer in her little body! It is likely that they will continue with chemotherapy, to finish the course she's on, and once that's complete, possibly do exploratory surgery to take tissue biopsies for further testing; but the incredible PET scan results tell them there is no immediate need to radiate or operate.
Can you believe it?! So many have asked for a miracle on our behalf, and here it is! We're quietly celebrating here; Greta commemorated the moment by having a nap on the floor of her hospital room, Mommy and Daddy did a low-key but joyful end-zone dance - and the rest of us are pinching ourselves.
We're thrilled! Thank you, everyone, for your prayers! What an awesome day!!!
Greta and family should probably be home Sunday or Monday, they can't wait to enjoy sharing this great news with friends & family!!!
Love to all,
(A VERY RELIEVED) Kari :)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
When Life Gives You Lemons...
...Greta's line was removed today and her new one inserted on the other side of her chest. She was in surgery for an hour and things went great. She slept it off for a couple hours and is now enjoying a much awaited meal and play time with Daddy.
We're taking advantage of this moved-up surgery date (this is the "making lemonade" part) to move chemo up a day, which means we're home a day or two earlier next week than planned.
We're still waiting on PET scan results but should hear by tomorrow.
K & R
We're taking advantage of this moved-up surgery date (this is the "making lemonade" part) to move chemo up a day, which means we're home a day or two earlier next week than planned.
We're still waiting on PET scan results but should hear by tomorrow.
K & R
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Rolling with the Punches
While attempting to flush her Broviac line last night (part of the daily routine), Kristi and Randy detemined that one of the leads must be blocked, so they went to the hospital clinic this morning to have the doctors there work on clearing the line.
While the line got cleared, it also sprung another leak, so a quick trip to the clinic turned into admission day, as Greta will now need to recieve 24 hours of antibiotics. The doctors don't feel the line is worth repairing for a third time, and have decided to remove it tomorrow. Her new Broviac line was scheduled to be put in this Friday, however they are now hoping to be able to put in a new one tomorrow, when the old one is removed. Greta should be starting her 8th round of chemo once the new line is inserted, so it looks like she'll be at DeVos through sometime Monday or Tuesday.
Yesterday's PET scan in Ann Arbor went well, and we are anxiously awaiting the results, which we hope to have by the end of this week.
“Life is what happens to you
while you're busy making other plans” - John Lennon
While the line got cleared, it also sprung another leak, so a quick trip to the clinic turned into admission day, as Greta will now need to recieve 24 hours of antibiotics. The doctors don't feel the line is worth repairing for a third time, and have decided to remove it tomorrow. Her new Broviac line was scheduled to be put in this Friday, however they are now hoping to be able to put in a new one tomorrow, when the old one is removed. Greta should be starting her 8th round of chemo once the new line is inserted, so it looks like she'll be at DeVos through sometime Monday or Tuesday.
Yesterday's PET scan in Ann Arbor went well, and we are anxiously awaiting the results, which we hope to have by the end of this week.
“Life is what happens to you
while you're busy making other plans” - John Lennon
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Help Wanted!
Now that Greta is settling into a routine of treatments and hospital stays, Mom is ready to get back to work a little bit more. Greta's current sitter is doing a great job, but she'll soon be going back to school. If anyone knows someone who is looking for part-time work as a daytime caregiver, Kristi and Randy would like to hear from them! Greta needs someone with a flexible work schedule, who can be available 1-3 days a week, 8:00-4:30. If you are interested or know someone who is, please use the link at right to send a personal email to the Betz family for more information.
Yesterday, Greta went in for labs as usual, and, as has become fairly usual, received another blood & platelet transfusion. It was a mostly uneventful day, Greta napped at the hospital during her transfusion and returned home in the late afternoon for some playtime. She's been her usual cuddly, silly self - always so sweet!
Greta has an appointment at UM Hospital in Ann Arbor this coming Tuesday for the awaited PET scan. Mom and Dad will make a quick trip with their girl there and back, no overnight stay required this time! Her next chemo session will likely be the 15th, after her surgery to replace and relocate her Broviac.
It occurred to us, recently, that if anyone has made donations to any of the various charities that we've suggested, we have no way of knowing about it - and you may not know that we don't know about it. If you have made a donation, thank you so much! We apologize that we haven't sent personal "thank you"s; if we had a way to know about the donations, we most certainly would!
Thank you for your time, your generosity, your blood, your letters and cards, your notes, your prayers, and most of all, your love.
XXOO
Greta's Family
Yesterday, Greta went in for labs as usual, and, as has become fairly usual, received another blood & platelet transfusion. It was a mostly uneventful day, Greta napped at the hospital during her transfusion and returned home in the late afternoon for some playtime. She's been her usual cuddly, silly self - always so sweet!
Greta has an appointment at UM Hospital in Ann Arbor this coming Tuesday for the awaited PET scan. Mom and Dad will make a quick trip with their girl there and back, no overnight stay required this time! Her next chemo session will likely be the 15th, after her surgery to replace and relocate her Broviac.
It occurred to us, recently, that if anyone has made donations to any of the various charities that we've suggested, we have no way of knowing about it - and you may not know that we don't know about it. If you have made a donation, thank you so much! We apologize that we haven't sent personal "thank you"s; if we had a way to know about the donations, we most certainly would!
Thank you for your time, your generosity, your blood, your letters and cards, your notes, your prayers, and most of all, your love.
XXOO
Greta's Family
Saturday, August 2, 2008
2 Weeks Off!
Or, at least we hope!
Greta came home with her parents early last night, with plenty of time to play with the neighbors and her family. She seems to be feeling pretty well, but we think she must have a pretty low opinion of hospital food, as evidenced by the way she devoured a home-cooked grilled cheese sandwich!
Right now it seems Greta will have the next two weeks off from chemo, though still reporting for labs as usual. During her break, she'll visit UM Hospital for her PET scan, and then prior to her next chemo session, she'll be having surgery to replace and reposition her Broviac. Of course, if you're an avid reader of this blog, you know how things can change unexpectedly, we promise to keep you posted.
She'll get to go to the Upham family reunion in Crystal today, so the rest of us will enjoy running interference between her and the lake :) But don't worry - we're more than glad to do it!
Love to all, have a fantastic weekend! Hug your kids!
XOXO
Kari
Greta came home with her parents early last night, with plenty of time to play with the neighbors and her family. She seems to be feeling pretty well, but we think she must have a pretty low opinion of hospital food, as evidenced by the way she devoured a home-cooked grilled cheese sandwich!
Right now it seems Greta will have the next two weeks off from chemo, though still reporting for labs as usual. During her break, she'll visit UM Hospital for her PET scan, and then prior to her next chemo session, she'll be having surgery to replace and reposition her Broviac. Of course, if you're an avid reader of this blog, you know how things can change unexpectedly, we promise to keep you posted.
She'll get to go to the Upham family reunion in Crystal today, so the rest of us will enjoy running interference between her and the lake :) But don't worry - we're more than glad to do it!
Love to all, have a fantastic weekend! Hug your kids!
XOXO
Kari
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