Delayed Intensification…dun, dun, dun

We go in to clinic for labs on Thursday to make sure Ezra counts are good enough to start the next phase, called Delayed Intensification. If his counts are good he is scheduled to start on the 21st. This phase is the hardest, most intense phases of all them during his whole treatment. He will receive more drugs, larger amounts, and new drugs as well. It is during this phase that many kids need blood and platelet transfusions. His counts are also expected to drop a lot during this time, so infections are common, along with hospital stays.

We are preparing ourselves for a hospital stay or 2, so that if it doesn’t happen we are pleasantly surprised. We are taking the boys to the Florida Aquarium this week, for one last bout of fun. In case its awhile before we can go out in public. The phase is only 56 days, but many times there are delays when their counts drop too low, so it could be much longer.

Its been a nice break from Leukemia Land these last 3 weeks, we have had maybe one appointment, and Ezra has been great, despite his ear infection.

So for those of you (Mom, and Aunt B) that want the nitty gritty of the medicines he will be receiving here it goes:

Dexamethasone : (steroids) will be given orally days 1-7, and 15-21 (I better stock up on “IZZA”)

Vincristine : IV push on days 1, 8, and 15

Doxorubicin : (this one is new) IV over 15 min on days 1, 8, and 15

PEG-asparaginase : shots to the leg muscles either on day 4,5, or 6.

Cyclophosphamide : IV over 60 min on day 29 (I think this one is new too???)

Thioguanine : Orally days 29-42 ( I don’t recognize this one either)

Cytarabine: IV push on days 29-32 and 36-39 ( I don’t recognize this one either)

Intrathecal Methotrexate : spinal tap days 1 and 29

Phew, that is whole lot Ezra has going on over the next 56 days. Please keep us in your thoughts, I know this phase will not be easy on any of us. Once we are through the 56 days though we move into LTM (long term maintenance) for the duration of his treatment. We just have to get through this phase, and the worse of the chemo will be behind us.