12/04/2025
Yesterday was Arya's last dose of her second round of chemo, so we are halfway there now. They have started giving her filgrastim, a drug to amp up her stem cell production. On Tuesday she has to have another surgery to install another mainline port to collect her stem cells. On the 17th, she will go back to ICU, be intubated and the collection will begin.
Because she is small and it requires that they draw about half her little body's platelets, its a big deal and can take several hours over 2 or 3 days. Once she gets through that torture, they work on getting her strong again so she can come home for a little while to rest before round 3 begins.
Collection of her stem cells is necessary for later transplant. Her full course of chemotherapy can take a toll on her body and deplete her bone marrow. The stem cell transplant will help her body replenish her blood cells and bone marrow afterwards. For more details on this procedure and how it all works, visit the American Cancer Society's page on High-dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Neuroblastoma.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/neuroblastoma/treating/high-dose-chemo-radiation.html
As always, your prayers and shares are invaluable! Let's keep praying for her restored good health!
✨ — Fighting for Our Brave Girl ✨ Our sweet Arya is only 2 … Michelle Stanifer needs your support for Support Arya's Battle Against Brain Cancer