Day 1 of delayed intensification

Today we kicked off the final phase of chemo before maintenance begins.

Delayed intensification, described by Dr. Carroll as a "re-induction," is comprised of two one-month halves: the first entails reintroducing steroids (a non-continuous course this time, so we can expect milder side effects) in addition to three doses of a drug called adriamycin.  To everyone's surprise, Stella's hair has stayed in so far, but if anything knocks it out, the adriamycin will.

For much of the second half, which is likely to be a little tougher, Stella will be taking drugs such as tioguanine and ara C over brief, intense periods.  We don't know how Stella will react to these new medicines but we are of course optimistic, considering how well she has handled everything up to now.

Today's visits to the hospital and Hassenfeld went fine as usual, and Stella's blood counts are superb (just where we want to be at the start of "D.I.").  She and Adrianne spent much of the visit to Hassenfeld participating in a horticulture workshop, arranging tiny flowers in heart-shaped planters.  I pretended that I needed to be somewhere else.