A Recurring Nightmare

50 days from the end of Sinatra's 2.5 year treatment journey. 

Sinatra in November, close to 2 years after
she was diagnosed

We were so excited and had started to plan the end of treatment party, trip to Hawaii with the family and swimming in the ocean and lake.  We have dreamed about what it will be like to not give medicine every night and wondered what it would be like to watch Sinatra's body recover. Our dreams were put on hold abruptly this week.

We are sad, angry, scared, heartbroken and devastated to update you that Sinatra has relapsed and will begin treatment for Leukemia almost immediately.

We made it almost two years in remission and we were so close to being out of treatment but the cancer is back. This is a unique case as well because it is not the same leukemia (ALL) that Sinatra had to start, it is now AML so there is a different plan to attack this.  While we are still searching for details and the best course for Sinatra, we do know that we will begin intense chemotherapy on Tuesday March 8th. In our discussions with the doctors we learned that Sinatra will spend extended periods of time at the hospital while in treatment and this begins with two 28 day phases of intense chemo to try and get the leukemia into remission.  The current plan is to get the leukemia into remission and then she will have a bone marrow transplant either after the 2nd or 3rd round of chemo. We anticipate that in early summer Sinatra will receive a bone marrow transplant.

We have two short days home right now together as a family before we check Sinatra into the hospital for 3-4 weeks.  We will keep you updated on the progress but for now it is hard to discuss these details as it is a huge impact to our family.  While we are absolutely positive that we will come out of this successful and cured. Please allow us this time to be present with her as we make this adjustment as a family. We appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers.