We began our journey in mid-November 2009 when Elizabeth presented with a limp. We originally thought she had toxic synovitis, as her twin brother Luca, had just experienced a few days of limping due to this following a virus. We visited the pediatrician and she concurred and we all agreed to monitor.
When Elizabeth continued to limp a month later, we returned to the pediatrician and a CBC was ordered along with an x-ray of her lower leg. The CBC showed perfectly normal numbers and her x-ray was negative. Later an x-ray of her hips was ordered... negative. With nothing significant, we again agreed to monitor.
The limping continued over the next couple of months but it was not daily, and didn't seem to keep her from any activities, so we just continued to watch.
In mid-February, Elizabeth broke her arm and we went to a pediatric orthopedic. She had suffered from a green stick break in her wrist, something typical in toddlers. She wore a cast for four weeks and it healed perfectly. When we were at the appointment for her cast removal, we casually asked her doctor about her limping. He agreed with her pediatrician, that with nothing significant in her labs or on x-ray, we should just monitor. If something changes, return for a follow up. We were back to see him within a week when Elizabeth began complaining of severe pain, and quit walking almost completely. Full body x-rays were ordered...all negative. A bone scan was ordered...negative. The orthopedic began to think that it was juvenile arthritis and he treated with an NSAID for a few weeks. Because he knew we were diligent about testing and really wanted something to prove that it was arthritis, he ordered an MRI.
The MRI was originally scheduled for June 7. We actually discussed cancelling the MRI, as our doctor was certain it was arthritis, and we were concerned about all of the anesthesia Elizabeth had undergone over the past months. We decided that we couldn't let it go and asked to be put on a list for an earlier MRI. Thankfully, the MRI was moved up to May 4.
Later in the week following the MRI, I visited the pediatrician with Elizabeth's younger sister. She inquired about the results, and since the test had just been done a couple of days prior, I had not heard anything, she called to get information. When the pediatrician returned to the room, she explained that the MRI showed abnormalities and we needed to order more tests. Following this, we had another CBC and a visit to the hematologist where possibilities were explained and a bone marrow biopsy was ordered.
On May 13, 2010 we had the biopsy and received a phone call in the early evening stating that Elizabeth had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). These results were a shock to all involved, as previous tests had all been negative, and aside from her limping, Elizabeth has been very healthy- not typical of a child with leukemia.
Her bone marrow was at 87% replacement with bad cells. If we had waited for the June 8 MRI her disease would have progressed significantly, so we are so thankful we were able to move it up.
We have 2 1/2 years of treatment ahead of us, but we have a little trooper and she is doing so well already. ALL has an 80% success rate and we know with the Lord guiding the doctors hands that we will beat this....thank you all for your continued prayers...keep checking in on Elizabeth's treatment and progress.
When Elizabeth continued to limp a month later, we returned to the pediatrician and a CBC was ordered along with an x-ray of her lower leg. The CBC showed perfectly normal numbers and her x-ray was negative. Later an x-ray of her hips was ordered... negative. With nothing significant, we again agreed to monitor.
The limping continued over the next couple of months but it was not daily, and didn't seem to keep her from any activities, so we just continued to watch.
In mid-February, Elizabeth broke her arm and we went to a pediatric orthopedic. She had suffered from a green stick break in her wrist, something typical in toddlers. She wore a cast for four weeks and it healed perfectly. When we were at the appointment for her cast removal, we casually asked her doctor about her limping. He agreed with her pediatrician, that with nothing significant in her labs or on x-ray, we should just monitor. If something changes, return for a follow up. We were back to see him within a week when Elizabeth began complaining of severe pain, and quit walking almost completely. Full body x-rays were ordered...all negative. A bone scan was ordered...negative. The orthopedic began to think that it was juvenile arthritis and he treated with an NSAID for a few weeks. Because he knew we were diligent about testing and really wanted something to prove that it was arthritis, he ordered an MRI.
The MRI was originally scheduled for June 7. We actually discussed cancelling the MRI, as our doctor was certain it was arthritis, and we were concerned about all of the anesthesia Elizabeth had undergone over the past months. We decided that we couldn't let it go and asked to be put on a list for an earlier MRI. Thankfully, the MRI was moved up to May 4.
Later in the week following the MRI, I visited the pediatrician with Elizabeth's younger sister. She inquired about the results, and since the test had just been done a couple of days prior, I had not heard anything, she called to get information. When the pediatrician returned to the room, she explained that the MRI showed abnormalities and we needed to order more tests. Following this, we had another CBC and a visit to the hematologist where possibilities were explained and a bone marrow biopsy was ordered.
On May 13, 2010 we had the biopsy and received a phone call in the early evening stating that Elizabeth had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). These results were a shock to all involved, as previous tests had all been negative, and aside from her limping, Elizabeth has been very healthy- not typical of a child with leukemia.
Her bone marrow was at 87% replacement with bad cells. If we had waited for the June 8 MRI her disease would have progressed significantly, so we are so thankful we were able to move it up.
We have 2 1/2 years of treatment ahead of us, but we have a little trooper and she is doing so well already. ALL has an 80% success rate and we know with the Lord guiding the doctors hands that we will beat this....thank you all for your continued prayers...keep checking in on Elizabeth's treatment and progress.
