Saturday, December 22, 2007

December 21. 2007 - Results are in

We took Keira to Children's today for her oncology appointment and got the results of her tests. All good news to follow!

Her chest CT showed her primary mass to be stable to slightly smaller. We didn't expect to see significant change since it hasn't been more than 8 weeks since her prior exam. We are grateful that there hasn't been an increase in size. Her Echo showed her heart function to be normal. The chemotherapy she received can be toxic to the heart, but so far Keira's heart looks good. She certainly acts as if everything is pumping normally. We can barely keep up with her! Her bloodwork is finally back to completely normal! Her white count had been low ever since her diagnosis, but it looks like it has finally recoverd completely. We are very excited!

The plan for now is to repeat her CT every 3 months for the next year but to do monthly urine checks. This will hopefully allow us to spare Keira the traumatic experience of IV placement and fasting for hours on end, yet still closely monitor her for relapse. We are very happy with this plan and look forward to less frequent trips to the CT scanner.

Keira and Jason are currently fighting off a viral infection and both feel miserable. Keira has learned to say "Nose Hurt!" This morning she woke up with what looked like a black eye and then later on started having some drainage. Yep, she has developed pink eye. Poor girl, you can't explain to her that this will pass and she'll feel better soon.

This year, despite the facts that Keira and Jason are both currently sick and Erin is working nights, we are looking forward to a truly joyous and wonderful Christmas. Our little girl is doing great and we are incredibly grateful. This will be our best Christmas ever as we celebrate God's goodness. As we celebrate God's greatest gift of His Son, we cannot help but be acutely aware that He has also given us the incredible gift of our daughter. Merry Christmas!

Jason, Erin, and Keira Grace

9 comments:

EmilyAnne said...

Great news! Thank you for posting.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you all! Our gifts are not those wrapped up in paper , but wrapped in our arms this year, our gorgeous children , on the way to good health! Hope you all get better and have a great holiday. May 2008 be full of love, joy, happiness, hope and health! God Bless and prayers and blessings to you all
Mark, Samm & Deqlan

Anonymous said...

GREAT NEWS, BOWMAN FAMILY! Praise God! I will be praying that you all feel better soon so that you can fully enjoy your Christmas!

Michelle

The Preister's said...

I am so sorry you are fighing off illness...thinking about you as always!

So glad to hear the scans came back with positive news. We go back on the 11th.

Be well...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Anonymous said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL! I CANT BELIEVE HO BIG KEIRA HAS GOTTEN IN THE CHRISTMAS PHOTO - SHE LOOKS GORGEOUS! GOD BLESS SAMM AND DEQLAN

Anonymous said...

Merry (late) Christmas! It is such wonderful news that Keira is doing wonderfully (despite the bout with pink eye).

Anonymous said...

I hope your Christmas was wonderful and that Kiera (and dad)are feeling much better. I will say a prayer for them this morning. May God continue to bless you and keep you! from: Charli Ann's Grandma Preister

Anonymous said...

Praise God! I have thought of you many times during Thanksgiving and the Celebration of Christ's Birth. Our God is an awesome God.

love to you Bowman family.

Sonja

Sonja Miley said...

Wonderful! Thinking of you lots even though we haven't talked.

love to you Bowman family.
Sonja

About Me

At the age of 10 months, Keira was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. She has completed 4 rounds of chemotherapy and 2 surgeries. She has had a wonderful response to therapy and now has only a small mass left in her chest.

3/9/2008 - Celebrating one year from diagnosis

Stylin at the Easter Egg Hunt!

2 years and I still love cake!

First trip to the zoo - a great reward after a long day at Childrens!

- and I even got to hold a bird!

I see how long it's taking mommy to get through - I'd better get started now!

PIGTAILS!

First day of school with best friend Ellie

How am I going to stick this landing?

The Fam

Keira's first cake

Laughter

Before

Before

Daddy & Me

Daddy & Me
Before