Maintenance Phase [Final & Finally]

We are so excited! After many months of treatment, and some delays, Elizabeth has finally reached a great milestone in her treatment. Today was her first day of Maintenance Phase.

We began is day early in the morning. POPS (Pediatric Outpatient Surgery) in the hospital at 6:30am (though we did get there a little late). We got to hang out for a couple hours and order what food Elizabeth wanted after she woke up from the sedation.  About 8:30am it was time for the LP. This was a big day for me (Mommy) since it was the first time I stayed for the procedure.

After the IV and IT chemo, and antibiotic were all done, we went to say some goodbyes.  We went up to PEDS, over to the clinic and infusion center, and then picked up prescriptions as we headed out to the car to go home. We are going to miss our many friends that have cared for us these many months since Elizabeth was diagnosed with leukemia.

Maintenance Phase is the final phase of treatment for leukemia.  This phase started today and will continue until February 19th, 2015.  To kick off the beginning of Maintenance Elizabeth got IV chemotherapy, an LP (Lumbar Puncture) for ITT (Intrathecal) chemotherapy in the hospital this morning.  Elizabeth will also receive a chemotherapy pill every day; steroids twice a day for five days, every four weeks; and another chemotherapy pill once a week (minus the weeks she has an LP).  All of this will continue for the rest of her treatment.