Hello everyone;

We just spent the entire day at Arnold Palmer Hospital meeting with Dr. Vincent Guisti, the oncologist, and some of his team from the Children's Oncology Group. Lia also had more blood work done which was a LITTLE easier because they can draw it through the chemo port implanted in her side. The chemo drugs (Carboplatin & Vincristine) will be infused through the chemo port. Lia's chemo course will last a little over 1 year this time. She will take larger doses for the first course, then have a break of about 2 weeks, and then start the next course. The side effects are considerable. Low blood counts, nausea/vomiting, abnormal liver function, diarrhea, metallic taste, kidney damage, hair loss, allergic reations, rashes, hearing loss, numbness in fingers & toes, constipation, stomach pain, muscle weakness, irritation of nerves, drooping eyelids, bluured or double vision, jaw pain, seizures, to name a few. Not all of these side effects happen to every child, and we certainly hope Lia has only a few.