Her bone marrow and spinal tap results from last week came back good again...still in remission which is the best news we could ask for! Her blood levels have been staying pretty high, no fevers, no infections.We are almost halfway there!
About Me
- Pray For Tay
- My name is Jeff Flanagan and my daughter, Taylor, is now a 16 yr old Junior at Etowah High in Woodstock, GA. On October 28, 2010 she was diagnosed with AML, a very aggressive form of leukemia. Within 5 days she was started on extensive chemotherapy treatments. We were initially told she was going to have 5 total rounds of chemo, each lasting approximately 10 days and leaving her in the hospital for weeks with every treatment...but, she was the 1st in GA to only have to go through 4 rounds of her type of treatments. She was able to come home on Easter Day of 2011 and has been doing great since! My family and I thank everyone for all the prayers and thoughts over the last year! For more information on AML Leukemia, please see "AML Information" below.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
January 27, 2011 - Bring on Round 3!
Taylor went back in the hospital yesterday to start round 3 of chemo. We originally thought she would be on different medicines than the last 2 times, but found out she will still have 2 of the 3 she had been receiving. Instead of them lasting over 10 days, they are giving it to her twice a day for 5 days. The plus side is she won't have to be plugged up to monitors for so long, but the downside is she will experience flu like symptoms...which have already started as of today. She feels alright, just not much of an appetite for food and her energy level is low (not sure if that the effects of chemo or just normal 15 yr old behavior haha).
Her bone marrow and spinal tap results from last week came back good again...still in remission which is the best news we could ask for! Her blood levels have been staying pretty high, no fevers, no infections.We are almost halfway there!
Some of you may or may not know, but we are having a benefit for Taylor this weekend. It will be located at 4568 Cumming Hwy in Canton (the old Buffington Elementary Gymnasium on GA-20). We are having a community yard sale from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., we have just about anything and everything! If you have items you would like to donate to the cause, you can drop them off after 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and someone will probably be there at least until 8 p.m. or so. Then from 7p.m. - 11:30 p.m. we are having a teen dance. It will be a $10 donation entry and all proceeds go to Taylor's medical fund. There will be a DJ and concessions provided...and it will be heavily chaperoned! Hope to see you all there!
Her bone marrow and spinal tap results from last week came back good again...still in remission which is the best news we could ask for! Her blood levels have been staying pretty high, no fevers, no infections.We are almost halfway there!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January 16, 2010
Sorry it has been a couple of weeks since the last update! Hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday and safe New Years!
Unfortunately Taylor had to stay in the hospital for both Christmas and New Year's, but on the plus side she was able to come home in time for her sisters 12th birthday. Her and I rang in the New Year together and we are both optimistic that this year is going to bring some good things for her! As long as things keep going like they are, she will be over and done with all her chemo in time for her 16th birthday, giving us more than one reason to celebrate it!
She came home on January 3rd and is still home as of now. She was supposed to go this past Weds for another bone marrow test and spinal tap, but with all this snow and ice we got, she wasn't able to make the appt. She has it re-scheduled for this Weds, so more than likely she will go back in the hospital for her 3rd round of chemo by the weekend or early next week. It's been nice because the last time she was out for 2 weeks, one whole week of which she spent feeling horrible from the marrow test and spinal tap. At least this time she will have a couple of good weeks home before having to go through all of that. She is a little nervous though because her first two rounds of chemo were the same medications, this next one will be different and she doesn't know how she will react to it. Hopefully things will go as smooth with this next one as the last one.
We were able to spend time today with her, Jenna and Justin (Taylor's boyfriend) for my mom's birthday. She was able to come and see all of her aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all at once which has been a rarity for the past couple months. It was good to get to see her relax a little bit and have a moment to not have to worry and dwell on everything that is going on. Well, that is all we have for now. We will keep everyone posted on when she goes back in and how things are going. Please keep her in your prayers, and thank you to everyone for everything you have done for her and our family!
Unfortunately Taylor had to stay in the hospital for both Christmas and New Year's, but on the plus side she was able to come home in time for her sisters 12th birthday. Her and I rang in the New Year together and we are both optimistic that this year is going to bring some good things for her! As long as things keep going like they are, she will be over and done with all her chemo in time for her 16th birthday, giving us more than one reason to celebrate it!
She came home on January 3rd and is still home as of now. She was supposed to go this past Weds for another bone marrow test and spinal tap, but with all this snow and ice we got, she wasn't able to make the appt. She has it re-scheduled for this Weds, so more than likely she will go back in the hospital for her 3rd round of chemo by the weekend or early next week. It's been nice because the last time she was out for 2 weeks, one whole week of which she spent feeling horrible from the marrow test and spinal tap. At least this time she will have a couple of good weeks home before having to go through all of that. She is a little nervous though because her first two rounds of chemo were the same medications, this next one will be different and she doesn't know how she will react to it. Hopefully things will go as smooth with this next one as the last one.
We were able to spend time today with her, Jenna and Justin (Taylor's boyfriend) for my mom's birthday. She was able to come and see all of her aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all at once which has been a rarity for the past couple months. It was good to get to see her relax a little bit and have a moment to not have to worry and dwell on everything that is going on. Well, that is all we have for now. We will keep everyone posted on when she goes back in and how things are going. Please keep her in your prayers, and thank you to everyone for everything you have done for her and our family!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
December 29, 2010
I know it has been awhile since the last post...I apologize, the holidays have been crazy the past couple of weeks! Taylor is doing great and should hopefully be coming home next week sometime. This time around has been a lot easier on her than the last, no fevers, no getting sick and her spirits seems to be a lot higher. She's been making it a point to go to the teen meetings that have during the week and taking the younger kids to the playroom when she gets a chance to...she is great with kids, so I think that is something good for her to be doing.
It is unfortunate that she had to spend Christmas in the hospital this year, but we made a point to try to make it as enjoyable for her as possible. We set up a little Christmas tree and what decorations we could put up. Ashley and I went down Christmas Eve and brought her gifts down there to her and a lot of my family came down to see her...my brothers & sisters, nieces and brother/sister-in-laws. She got to spend Christmas day with her mom, so it was a busy weekend for her I guess. I appreciate everyone taking the time to make her day a little bit brighter! Hopefully she will be out in time for Jenna's birthday, I know Jenna would love to have her sister home to help celebrate it!
The picture is of Taylor with her cousins Savannah and Jessica. We have some more we took and will put them up as soon as we get them downloaded. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and enjoys their New Year this weekend!
It is unfortunate that she had to spend Christmas in the hospital this year, but we made a point to try to make it as enjoyable for her as possible. We set up a little Christmas tree and what decorations we could put up. Ashley and I went down Christmas Eve and brought her gifts down there to her and a lot of my family came down to see her...my brothers & sisters, nieces and brother/sister-in-laws. She got to spend Christmas day with her mom, so it was a busy weekend for her I guess. I appreciate everyone taking the time to make her day a little bit brighter! Hopefully she will be out in time for Jenna's birthday, I know Jenna would love to have her sister home to help celebrate it!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
December 9, 2010 - Round 2
Well to start off with some good news...Taylor's results from her bone marrow and spinal tap came back negative which means she is now considered in remission since there are no leukemia cells in her blood!!! She does still have to continue with her scheduled rounds of chemo though, according to the doctors the more they do, the less likely it is to come back.
Unfortunately the spinal tap didn't make her feel so hot this round. Unless she was laying down, she had pretty bad migraines and I think between that and the shot of chemo in her spine, it made her physically sick. The first time she was in the hospital and laying down all day, doped up with benadryl and pain meds, but this time she was sent home with nothing. On the plus side, her boyfriend Justin was able to spend plenty of time with her while she was home so I'm sure that helped to take her mind off somethings. And no, I didn't have to meet him at the door with the shotgun or have the one-on-one, man-to-man talk with him...this one I actually approve of haha...
Yesterday she had to go back in to start her 2nd round of chemo. She is on the same treatment plan as last time, but they are starting them at night instead of during the day. I stayed with her last night and today and so far so good. She got the one medicine that always made her sick, but for now all is good...but that could also be because she hasn't eaten anything today! She ate enough last night to make up for it though, I think she tried to get in all she could in case the medicine did make her sick today. I told her last night that I wanted her to try to get out of the room more and maybe meet with and encourage some of the other little kids that are in here...now that she knows what to expect maybe she can help someone else or talk to someone who may have it a little harder than her. She is great with kids, so I think it might be good for her. But for now, my Taybe-loo is doing good!
Can't wait to see some of you all on Saturday for her bowling benefit!! Again, can't thank you all enough for the love, prayers, support and encouragement!
Unfortunately the spinal tap didn't make her feel so hot this round. Unless she was laying down, she had pretty bad migraines and I think between that and the shot of chemo in her spine, it made her physically sick. The first time she was in the hospital and laying down all day, doped up with benadryl and pain meds, but this time she was sent home with nothing. On the plus side, her boyfriend Justin was able to spend plenty of time with her while she was home so I'm sure that helped to take her mind off somethings. And no, I didn't have to meet him at the door with the shotgun or have the one-on-one, man-to-man talk with him...this one I actually approve of haha...
Yesterday she had to go back in to start her 2nd round of chemo. She is on the same treatment plan as last time, but they are starting them at night instead of during the day. I stayed with her last night and today and so far so good. She got the one medicine that always made her sick, but for now all is good...but that could also be because she hasn't eaten anything today! She ate enough last night to make up for it though, I think she tried to get in all she could in case the medicine did make her sick today. I told her last night that I wanted her to try to get out of the room more and maybe meet with and encourage some of the other little kids that are in here...now that she knows what to expect maybe she can help someone else or talk to someone who may have it a little harder than her. She is great with kids, so I think it might be good for her. But for now, my Taybe-loo is doing good!
Can't wait to see some of you all on Saturday for her bowling benefit!! Again, can't thank you all enough for the love, prayers, support and encouragement!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 1st
Today Taylor had to go to clinic and have another bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap done (standard procedure). I talked to her a little before lunch and she sounded great, said she had a little pain when she stood up but nothing too bad. Her Leukemia doctor, Dr. Cooper, said that he looked at her leuemia blasts and they were still at 0 so that is excellent news.
Her blood counts are up and if they continue to stay up, they will put her back in the hospital next Wednesday to start her 2nd round of chemo. I asked her how she felt about that and she said that she wasn't upset about it at all, that the sooner she goes in, the sooner she gets out and gets all this over with...so that's the way to look on the positive side of things! All in all, things are as good as they can be right now...so keep the prayers up and thank you everyone for everything!
Her blood counts are up and if they continue to stay up, they will put her back in the hospital next Wednesday to start her 2nd round of chemo. I asked her how she felt about that and she said that she wasn't upset about it at all, that the sooner she goes in, the sooner she gets out and gets all this over with...so that's the way to look on the positive side of things! All in all, things are as good as they can be right now...so keep the prayers up and thank you everyone for everything!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving Day - Got to Come Home!
Taylor got to come home today!! I stayed with her last night and they told us there was a good possibility she would be able to come home for Thanksgiving as long as she did not get any more fevers and she wasn't feeling sick. So, this morning they let us know they were discharging her...what a very Happy Thanksgiving Day for sure! Today at about 1:30 I took her to her grandmothers house where they had dinner cooked, and I believe she might have made up for all of the eating she wasn't able to do over the last few weeks haha. She has been feeling good and looks great and that is all that matters.
She will probably only be home for 2-3 weeks and has to go to clinic once a week until then. Her mom is going to celebrate Christmas with her and Jenna while she is out, so that will be nice. I will probably wait to do mine with them on Christmas Eve or the day of just so it will still sort of feel like Christmas for her. I hate that she won't be home fto celebrate it with me, but we didn't think she would be home for today so we are thankful for at least that!
We hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving...Happy Holidays!
She will probably only be home for 2-3 weeks and has to go to clinic once a week until then. Her mom is going to celebrate Christmas with her and Jenna while she is out, so that will be nice. I will probably wait to do mine with them on Christmas Eve or the day of just so it will still sort of feel like Christmas for her. I hate that she won't be home fto celebrate it with me, but we didn't think she would be home for today so we are thankful for at least that!
We hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving...Happy Holidays!
Friday, November 19, 2010
November 19, 2010 - Scary Day Today!
Well Taylor still can't get rid of the cough she has had since day one and it seems to be progressively getting worse, which is making her physically sick. It's not necessarily bad she is getting sick, since the only thing coming up is the congestion and phlem (yummy!)...it's just hard watching her as she gets sick and not being able to do anything to help it. They have given her a couple of breathing treatments to help, but even that only works for a hour or two. They did a chest xray and said everything looks good, but I swear if anyone heard the way she sounds they would certainly question the doctor's judgement!
Today they decided to put her on some new medication to help control her fevers, which didn't at all turn out to be a good idea. Michelle (her mom) called me a little after lunch to fill me in what happened. A few minutes after they gave her the medicine she told Michelle she couldn't breathe. Michelle thought she just had stuff caught in her throat from coughing up everything and told her to just swallow whatever it was, not knowing she really couldn't breathe! Apparently she had an allergic reaction to the medication which caused her throat and lips to swell and her body started turning purple...they immediately buzzed the nurse who ran in, saw her condition and called about 10 more nurses and doctors in. They gave her a quick shot of benadryl which reversed the side effects pretty quickly and needless to say, they will not be giving her that again! Scares me to think what would have happended if no one was there with her, or what if Michelle went to the cafeteria or bathroom for a minute?! So, when I got to the hospital this afternoon I made Taylor go through a "what if" scenario in case she is ever alone in a situation like that. They have a code blue button which I told her to pull if that ever happens again, I don't care if that button is only to be used by the dr's or for some other reason!!
Well, Ashley is staying with her tonight so hopefully Taylor has a good night. She stayed with her Weds night and since she can't sleep without a fan she brought a little desk one with her. Taylor said she is sleeping with it on from now on...I guess it drowns out some of the background noises.
I still wake up every morning thinking and hoping this is all just a dream. I hate that my baby is sick, that she can't eat when and what she wants, she can't be at home or that I just can't go get her and hang out with her when I want. I guess all I can do is just continue to pray and know that every day that passes is one day closer to her getting past this.
Today they decided to put her on some new medication to help control her fevers, which didn't at all turn out to be a good idea. Michelle (her mom) called me a little after lunch to fill me in what happened. A few minutes after they gave her the medicine she told Michelle she couldn't breathe. Michelle thought she just had stuff caught in her throat from coughing up everything and told her to just swallow whatever it was, not knowing she really couldn't breathe! Apparently she had an allergic reaction to the medication which caused her throat and lips to swell and her body started turning purple...they immediately buzzed the nurse who ran in, saw her condition and called about 10 more nurses and doctors in. They gave her a quick shot of benadryl which reversed the side effects pretty quickly and needless to say, they will not be giving her that again! Scares me to think what would have happended if no one was there with her, or what if Michelle went to the cafeteria or bathroom for a minute?! So, when I got to the hospital this afternoon I made Taylor go through a "what if" scenario in case she is ever alone in a situation like that. They have a code blue button which I told her to pull if that ever happens again, I don't care if that button is only to be used by the dr's or for some other reason!!
Well, Ashley is staying with her tonight so hopefully Taylor has a good night. She stayed with her Weds night and since she can't sleep without a fan she brought a little desk one with her. Taylor said she is sleeping with it on from now on...I guess it drowns out some of the background noises.
I still wake up every morning thinking and hoping this is all just a dream. I hate that my baby is sick, that she can't eat when and what she wants, she can't be at home or that I just can't go get her and hang out with her when I want. I guess all I can do is just continue to pray and know that every day that passes is one day closer to her getting past this.
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