Michaela's fight

On January 30, 2010, our latest family adventure began when four-year-old Michaela Leslie Werner was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia ("ALL").  We were shocked and grieved at this sudden diagnosis, but trusted that God would work through the amazing doctors and staff at Seattle Children's Hospital and bring healing and restoration to her body.  She was immediately admitted to the hospital, where she underwent multiple procedures, received several transfusions, and began intense chemotherapy.  We stayed by her side day and night for a week.  The first victory came after that first week when we learned that the cancerous cells in her blood had gone from 120,000 to zero, making it possible for us to return home February 6 and continue her chemotherapy through the outpatient clinic.  At this point, her immune system is completely depleted as the treatment has also killed her white blood cells, which means that she is at an extremely high risk of contracting illness.  So although we are home, and happy to be here, Michaela is in isolation and not able to continue with her normal activities of playing at the park, going to ballet and drama classes and having playdates with friends.  This isolation is necessary only for this phase of treatment while her blood counts are so low.  If she gets sick, we will automatically be back in the hopsital and her treatment may be compromised.  Although she is weak, tired, and pale, her spirit remains strong and sweet. 

As we look to the weeks, months and years ahead with this illness, we are completely reliant on God's strength to get through each day.  We have faith that He will make Michaela well again, but the sheer magnitude of the journey can be discouraging.  Please keep our family in your prayers.  Pray for healing and protection for Michaela, strength and hope for our family, and ultimate victory over this disease. We have been blown away by the encouragement and support we have received from so many.  Thank you for loving our family so well.

For those who are interested in the treatment phases and prognosis, read on:  Although Michaela's blast count (cancer cells in her blood) is at zero, the disease remains in her bone marrow as well as trace amounts in her spinal fluid.  Our goal for this first phase of treatment ("Induction") is complete remission.  Induction is 5 weeks long, and involves a combination of chemotherapy drugs which we administer both at home orally and by weekly visits to the outpatient clinic.  There, the staff directly inserts medicine into her portacath -- an IV implanted directly into a large vein in her chest -- and occassionally into her spinal fluid through a spinal tap.  Thankfully, Michaela has been a trouper through all of this, even though the side effects of the medicine can be hard. Over the next few weeks, she will probably lose her hair, become nauseated and sick, and feel constantly tired and moody.  It's a lot for anyone to endure, but very difficult to watch your precious child go through it.  If we reach the end of Induction and the cancer is gone, we will continue on to the second phase of treatment ("Consolidation"), an 8-week period of receiving a different combination of chemotherapy drugs with the goal of keeping the cancer from returning.  Beyond these first 3 months, there are several other phases of treatment which will ultimately take over 2 years to complete.  Michaela's team of doctors have told us that overall survival rates for kids at her age who have ALL are 90 percent.  We are VERY encouraged by this.  More pictures from the hospital follow below:

Craft time!

Snuggling with Big Sis Madeline

Sharing fish crackers with daddy

Painting nails with mommy