Infection...

Alese has a fairly serious infection that originated in the Hickman catheter that was installed two weeks ago.

Surgeons are removing the catheter sometime this evening. They've given her 24 units of platelets throughout the day with the intention of getting her platelets above 100,000, but they've stalled at 80,000 and she's receiving additional platelets as of this posting. Unfortunately, they will have to do this procedure under local anesthetic.

For now, the goal is to eradicate this infection from her body, which has taken precedence over treatment. Alese will remain at City of Hope for at least 7 days, or until the infection is gone. Until then, the plan of collecting any stem cells is postponed.

Thereafter, another Hickman will be installed and she'll receive another round of Cytoxan, followed by 10 days of Neupogen and attempt to collect stem cells again.

The only good news in this whole scenario is the first round of Cytoxan has helped curb some of the intense itching she's been experiencing; hopefully, it’s shrinking cancerous lymph nodes too.

We appreciate your continued prayers,

The Coco's