Leukemia - How is Jemma? - Day 109

Here is Jemma waking up from anesthesia after her bone marrow biopsy today. She loves to tell me I have four eyes and two mouths when she is in this state. She talks very slow and repeats herself until the medicine wears off.

Since her blood is regenerating she was able to begin Phase M of her treatment. If all goes well it will last eight weeks. After six days at home we don't have to be back to the hospital until Wednesday. On Wednesday when she goes back we will stay until Sunday so she can receive continuous iv treatment.

The rest of us received our flu vaccinations. This year it was very important that the entire family be vaccinated against the flu except for Jemma. In addition, we had to be vaccinated with the shot and not the nasal mist. The mist contains live bacteria which can be contagious. This is not an issue for people with healthy immune systems, but for Jemma it could be. She can't be around anyone vaccinated with the nasal mist for 4-5 days after vaccination.


24 hours after the vaccination, my son came down with a fever. Although we suspected it was from the shot we had no way of knowing for sure. Unfortunately he had to stay alone in his room for the afternoon and evening. Luckily he was feeling much better in the morning.

The doctor in the photo is the first one who saw Jemma when she got sick. He tested her blood and quickly realized something was very wrong. He called me twice at home during off hours to discuss Jemma's condition before she was diagnosed. He was very concerned. I am grateful for his persistence and guidance during that first terrible week.