Initial Chemo - Cycle 1

December 16, 2011

Awaiting central venous line surgery and spinal tap. They plan to admit her to start chemo tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers. God is our great healer!

Surgery went well today. Rosie doesn't like having an Central Venous Line on her chest but she's enjoying the new toys they gave her.

December 17, 2011

~Rosie had a good morning with breakfast and play time. Having a nap now while they start chemo.

~Rosie's almost finished with her first day of Chemo and she is doing well, even happy and silly nibbling on mommy. Lord, we thank you.



December 18, 2011

She was so happy to see dad and brothers. She misses them a lot. Second day of chemo - no complications. God hears our prayers.

December 19, 2011

Rosie's having her final chemo for her first cycle so we get to go home tomorrow night. She is starting to have some tired eyes, discomforts and weaknesses but still chatty and smiley. We're looking forward to be home again.

December 20, 2011

~Going home soon after a long day of learning.

~There's no place like home, home sweet home... Rosie is so happy to be home and be with family.

December 22, 2011

~ Back for outpatient chemo tomorrow. I haven't gotten a good sleep yet. At least Rosie is so happy with her brothers and dad.

Rosie had her first haircut

~  Early start tomorrow but she's wide awake.


December 23, 2011

~ Chemo today went well, home for the holidays. Happy Holidays and God Bless!

~ Sincere thanks to all our friends and family for all your continuous generosity, gifts, endless prayers, wonderful food... for helping us fill our christmas tree, dining table, and especially our hearts. May God return the blessings to you and your family. Merry Christmas and a safe trip for travelers!

December 25, 2011

Rosie gave us a scare yesterday, a nosebleed for 30 mins. Had to run to SickKids to get her bloodwork checked on Christmas Eve. They said chemo made her nose tender and needs to be moistened often. Glad they were okay with her bloodwork and sent us home at 11pm. In time to spend the holidays with my siblings and family. Rosie enjoyed playing with her cousins and aunts/uncle so much and didn't sleep until 6am. And she's still so energetic today enjoying her presents. The boys are happy with their gifts too. Happy Holidays and happy shopping tomorrow!


December 26, 2011

My feisty little one pulled out her Central Venous Line off her chest last night at 11pm. We were able to stop the bleeding and we're back again at SickKids ER. Thankfully, she pulled the whole piece out and nothing left inside and no further bleeding.  We found out that she's allergic to the antiseptic used for surgery, that's why she became so itchy and accidentally pulled her line.

They will schedule another surgical date to reinsert another one before her next outpatient Chemo this Friday. Lord, thank you for your love, please help us with our stress and continue to give us strength.


December 28, 2011

Enjoying her princess costumes

December 29, 2011

SickKids won't reinsert her central line this week and they plan to do it together with her surgery on Tuesday for her Femoral Line. One surgery to insert two venous lines :(. That means tomorrow's chemo will be done peripherally (injected intravenously). Her first 3 chemo cycles included 3 days straight of assorted chemo drugs (Vincristine, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide) as inpatient and 2 weekly maintenance of chemo drug (Vincristine) as outpatient. Tomorrow will be her last one for the first cycle. And she is to start Cycle # 2 next Friday after her surgeries and WBC harvest. Her mouth sores and skin rashes are improving and no further nosebleeds. God, we ask for Rosie's continuous protection.

December 30, 2011

Rosemary's chemo went well. Having transfusion due to low platelets and she has fever. No beds so we need to return tomorrow. And her hair starting to fall off. I want to cry but I can't do it in front of her.

Thanks for everyone's caring words and prayers. She finished her transfusion and her fever went down. We will be monitoring her temp. and cough at home. We may not need to return tomorrow. Praise God!

December 31, 2011

God is continually looking after Rosie, She is fever free today. Thanks for your continuous prayers!

Also See Highlight # 3 - Halfway Chemo

Recovering after surgery

December 2, 2011

~If you look closely, you will notice the orange tube (external ventricular drain) on her head that helps drain the cerebral fluid. They are slowly adjusting it to allow her brain to drain it on her own. Dr says it 50/50 chance of her getting a permanent shunt that will be connected from her brain and drain to her stomach. God I trust and lean on you, I know that you are always there guiding the doctors to ensure Rosemary gets the right treatments to live a happy and healthy life.

~Awaiting the final pathology test result today. Jeffrey and I are ready to what God has plan for us. We know any challenges we face ahead is better than what could have happened last Friday. Thank you Lord for showing us Rosemary daily health improvements. Its nice to see her smile and laugh again.

~"No Doctor! Mom No Doctor!" After being poked twice a day for blood work and Hourly Blood Pressure and Temperature, I don't blame her.


December 4, 2011

~Fasting this morning awaiting for CT Scan so they can remove her External Ventricular Drain (shunt). She's pointing to the Dora movie.

~Rosie hears the other babies crying from the other patient room. "Mom, Baby Crying, Oh, Poor Baby. Baby no like doctors." She is so caring of others even with her own ordeals. I love her so much.

~They had her fast all day and end up postponing CT Scan tomorrow. I understand that anaesthesist is needed for 2 transplant surgeries, wish they let us know sooner instead of having Rosie fast over 18 hrs.




December 5, 2011

I scream, you scream for ice cream

Incision healing well

~ Lord teach me patience as we wait for CT Scan and Pathology report.

~ CT Scan done. Drain from the brain removed and a visit from dad. Hooray! Thank you God. Pathology & oncology meeting tomorrow. Lord, please guide the medical team to do the best and safest treatment plan for our daughter.

December 6, 2011
We had a better night. She only need to be assessed every 4 hours instead of every 2 hours now that the drain is out. I forgot to mention that she hasn't needed any pain medication and is eating well, tummy problems are also gone. God is making Rosie feel better each day. God is our everlasting healer. Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers and for helping Rosie. Our meeting will be at 1pm today with the pathology/oncology medical team. Thanks for your ongoing prayers.

Also see Highlight # 2 - Her Diagnosis

December 7, 2011

First time to go to the gift shop. She chose a ball, sticker, and kinder surprise.

~ Some good news: We get to go home this weekend for a week before she starts her treatment. The first treatment will be aimed early so we can be home for the holiday break.

A visit from the hospital dog. Rosemary fed him a cookie. What a brave girl!

December 8, 2011
~ Her drain incision had to be restitched last night, had a late sleep. Today is full of appointments: kindey scan, eye exam and blood works. Were both tired and a bit cranky. We look forward to coming home tomorrow.

~ She's enjoying the play room so much. I can't convince her to go back to her room. She has so much energy while I'm just exhausted.

 December 9, 2011

Going home day! Hooray!

December 10, 2011

Spending a busy day with church and family before the long treatments.

December 11, 2011

Spent the morning for family photos and some window shopping. Rosemary enjoyed the play area too. 

She's talking more and walking better each day. Putting the Christmas tree together as a family was wonderful.

December 14, 2011

Awaiting for Rosie's appointment for her central venous catheter insertion and spinal tap. They said she's on the waiting list. Which means her chemo might get delayed. I do hope we can be home for the holidays.

December 15, 2011

We are booked for surgery tomorrow for her Central Line and Spinal Tap. So she is more likely to start her Chemo this Sunday as booked. Appreciate your continuous prayers.

Desmoplastic Nodular Medulloblastoma

Rosie, our daughter at age 2 1/2 is diagnosed with Desmoplastic Nodular Medullosblastoma.  The medulloblastoma has been defined as a "malignant, invasive embryonal tumor of the cerebellum with preferential manifestation in children, predominantly neuronal differentiation, and inherent tendency to metastasize via CSF [cerebrospinal fluid] pathways."  This subtype of Medullosblastoma has better outcome with treatments so the doctors find this favourable.


The usual protocol treatment for this form of Brain Cancer are surgery, Chemotherapy, and Radiation Therapy.  Because Rosie is under the age of 3 and the cancer type is favourable, she won't be requiring Radiation Therapy (Thank you, God!).  She already had her surgery where they removed all her tumour.   The neurosurgeon is satisfied with her recovery and states that the surgery was "perfect".  MRI showing no traces of tumour and bleeding. (Lord, we praise thee!)

The Start of Mom's Journal

Novermber 24, 2011
Please pray for my 2 year old daughter, Rosie. She hasn't been feeling good for over 1 month. Spends the day lying down and has been not eating and drinking well. She lost over 10 lbs.

November 25, 2011

At Sickkids. Rosie had a blood test and now getting an IV. She's too weak to fight it.

Rosie is in critical care please pray for a successful surgery.

Incision to remove brain pressure and for External Ventricular Drain

November 26, 2011

Incision where they took the tumour out

Thank you Lord for saving our precious Rosie, for putting us here at SickKids Hospital in time and for the successful surgery. Thank you friends and family for your prayers. She is recovering well from the surgery. She is strong enough to kick her IVs and speaks clearly. Our God is an awesome God, He reigns!

November 27, 2011
Today is dad's birthday. He made me proud when he said that having Rosie still with us is the best present ever. I fully agree. It helps me realize that we can choose whether to feel blessed or feel cursed.  So why not try focusing on our blessings.

~ She's having MRI done this morning. Dr says she has 50/50 chance of getting a permanent shunt to help relieve intracranial (brain) pressure depending on how well her brain stem is able to drain properly. Dr. Dirks who was her surgeon and specializes in pediatric brain tumor treatment, is very happy with her current status.

~ Rosie's MRI shows brain is clear of tumour and bleeding. Thank you God.

~ We are blessed with the best neurosurgeon. Dr. Dirks
http://www.sickkids.ca/Research/Dirks-Lab/index.html

~ They had intubated her during MRI while she's under anaesthesia. Now they're waiting for her to wake-up and breath independently again. After 4 hours of close monitoring they will move her to another floor.

~ This is a similar scan from what she has pre surgery. The mass was 5cm x 6cm.

November 28, 2011

~ Please continue to pray for Rosemary. She still has many risk while her brain adjusts from her surgery. She is having headaches, irritability and eye muscle problems today. They said she could also have Posterior Fossa Syndrome which could affect her speech and motor function. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.

~ Rosemary had a good night sleep. She was already craving for milk, cheese, hotdog, and pizza. She tolerated drinking water so they will let her start eating solids today. the incision from her surgery is healing well too. Praise the Lord. thanks everyone.

November 29, 2011

~ Looking forward to seeing my boys tonight, I miss them. And they miss Rosie.

~She is much calmer today and less irritable, had her hair washed.

~Rosie wants hotdog now, anyone can fly some hotdogs to sick kids? lol


November 30, 2011

~ She wanted to feed herself oatmeal. Mom tried to help. She says 'mine.' So proud of her. She is my strength.

~She hates taking her liquid medications orally. Wish there was an easier way. At least she enjoyed her breakfast and sitting up from her bed.

~She finally got a chance just to relax after a busy day of meds, full bath, IV change and assessments. It was nice that she sat on my lap and cuddled after her bath. I wish I could do more. Thank you Lord for keeping her brave and strong.

For more information, see Highlight # 1 - Beginning of our Journey

How it All Started

Rosie is our 2 years and 5 months old daughter and had been suffering from headaches, dizziness, low appetite, severe constipation, dehydration, weakness and irritability for 2 months. She was seen by out patient doctors, our local hospital, and by family physician. They dealt with a few of her symptoms and sent her home. They missed to see the whole picture.

As Rosie's condition worsen, we decided to send her straight to SickKids Hospital. CT Scan has showed that she has 'Posterior Fossa Tumour' and Hydrocephalus. Her brain herniated while in Emergency Department at Sick Kids. Luckily, the neurosurgeon was witnessing this event and rushed her to surgery to place a 'External Ventricular Drain' (external shunt) to help relieve the pressure off her brain from extra Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF). The tumour has pushed her Cerebellum blocking the draining of CSF. Her Tumour was removed the next day. MRI shows no traces of left over tumour and bleeding post surgery. Mom has to stop working and care for Rosie full time at the hospital and dad to care for the other siblings (one with Asperger's Syndrome), care for home, and return to work. The diagnoses is also difficult for her maternal grandparents since Rosie's uncle died of Brain Tumour at age 4.