Welcome

Hello, friends and family.

It's been a hell of week, especially for Stella, who as you know was diagnosed with leukemia last week after a month or so of unsteady health.  We know there are so many wonderful people in her orbit who want updates on her progress, as well as the opportunity to share their thoughts and good wishes.  We hope this blog helps accomplish these things.  Please feel free to check in often and leave comments--they will all be read by me and Adrianne, and if you ask, shared with Stella.

We are thrilled that Stella has finally come home after six nights in the hospital.  The biggest short-term concern of ours and her doctors--fever (from pneumonia and bacterial infection)--resolved after a few days of intense treatment with IV antibiotics.  As a precaution, she will remain on these antibiotics here at home for another week or so. 

She has also started chemo--it began last Thursday--and so far has responded to it extremely well.  It's just the tip of the iceberg, of course.  Her outpatient treatment begins on Wednesday at NYU Medical Center's Hassenfeld Children's Center.  She is under the care of Dr. William Carroll, who has impressed us since Day 1.  We feel lucky to have him in Stella's corner.

Besides her medical care, there are other things that give us optimism.  Leukemia is the most curable of all child cancers, and the type that Stella has--acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)--is the "best" kind to have.  Stella's gender, age, and race also factor favorably.  

There are a million other things to write about, but this is plenty for a first post.  It's late and I have to teach myself how to sleep properly again.  More to come later.  Thank you all for the love and support that you have shown Stella.