Day 84 of...98 Days...The Return

The return is such a cruel reality for so many who face Leukemia or any type of blood cancer. You can be in remission and then without warning it is back with vengeance.  It's a painstaking announcement that the doctor has to share with the parents of the child whose Leukemia has returned.  Then it becomes total heartbreak of absorbing as a parent how that could happen and then how do you tell your child so they keep fighting for their life.  Let me share a story to give you some idea and at the same time hopefully open your eyes as to why the need for continued research for new therapies.

When Tressa was told yet once again the Leukemia had returned her parents immediately impressed upon her they needed to get an earlier start fighting the leukemia to avoid the similar problems encountered with the last treatment. It was stressed to Tressa that they were using an experimental drug that should be a lot “gentler”, with less “harsh” side effects. No mouth sores, no peeling of the skin, no loss of hair, are just a few of the eliminated side effects. Regardless, the treatment will kill the white blood cells (good and bad), and Tressa’s ability to fight infections. Once all are killed, the hope would be for the return of only healthy white blood cells.

The idea of treatment should be a welcome relief but the fear the child faces of here we go again and the pain and discomfort needs to be put to an end.  It's bad enough to be told the Leukemia has returned after they fought so brave and so hard for a second or third time and then to see them battle through the painful treatments is so unfair.  This is just yet another reason to join the fight so we could fund research for new therapies but ultimately a cure so we end the return of Leukemia or any blood cancer.