My uncle made this journal so that it makes it easier on him not to retell her updates over and over again. It gets hard on him to relive things. Once again here is the website for her updates http://caringbridge.org/visit/emmaleehavertz
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2008 12:59 PM, CDT
Emmalee had a very rough night. She was agitated, in pain, whining, moaning and confused most of the night. They could not figure out what was wrong. At about 9am they did a test on the amount of ammonia in her body. It was very high. Her liver is unable to break this substance down right now. They had to put a feeding tube down her to start some medicine that could break down the ammonia.
I could not watch because a couple of nights ago they put a tube from her nose to her stomach and I had to help hold her down while she screamed that she couldn't breath and she was drowning. She got a bloody nose during this process and that just complicated things. It is so hard to watch her while she is in pain.
She is resting at the moment, but it will be days before we can get this problem corrected. Sounds like it may be a long term problem. Needless to say she will remain in the hospital for a few more days at least.
Please continue to pray for her.
Steve
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2008 07:22 PM, CDT
Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers visits and those who came over to help clean and sterilize Emmalee's room and other areas of the house
We had some great news today. Emmalee had a bone scan to determine if the cancer had spread into her bones. It showed one trouble spot inside her right shoulder, so a follow up x-ray was done to take a closer look. It confirmed that the cancer has NOT spread into her bones. That is awesome news!!!
She also had a ultra sound today and no problems were reported with that. They were looking to see if there was any blood or fluid in her belly.
It is too early to tell if the Chemo therapy is working. They will do another CT scan in a few months to assess its effectiveness.
Steve
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2008 07:12 PM, CDT
One of the questions that is asked frequently is how did we discover the cancer. On Wednesday October 15th Emmalee's sister Krystal was playing with her and Krystal's hand just barely touched her stomach right below her sternum. Emmalee started crying cause it hurt so badly. Matt (her brother) and Krystal lifted up her shirt and noticed a distension right below her rib cage. They thought she was tightening her belly and told her to relax her stomach muscles. She wasn't able to so they told mom. (Emmalee was at her grandmas the day before and was fine and she even went to Lagoon with her sister that same day). We watched her over night and continued to check her and when we felt her upper abdomen (where the distension was) it continued to be tight and very painful even to the slightest touch. We took her to the family doctor the next afternoon who referred us to PCMC for evaluation. That is when Kara and I received the horrible news that she had a tumor that had infiltrated her entire liver. She had a biopsy on Saturday 10/18 and then the final diagnosis came on Wednesday 10/22.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 12:30 PM, CDT
This CaringBridge site was created just recently. Please visit again soon for a journal update.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 11:31 AM, MDT
Thank you for your love, concern and interest for Emmalee. As you know, she is an amazing and beautiful girl, full of life and spirit. We truly love her!
I have been asked by the Havertz family to post the most current information about Emmalee's condition. The family is so appreciative of all of your outpouring of love and support! Your prayers, visits, cards, gifts, meals...everything has meant so much. Please continue to exercise faith in their behalf and to keep them in your prayers! They ask that we continue to be full of hope and faith!
Emmalee was officially diagnosed on Wednesday with "fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein involvement" and is consider to be at a stage III.
This is a serious cancer of the liver. The positive aspects are that it is the slower growing form of this type of cancer and it has not spread to her lungs. It is unusual for a child to be diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, as it typically affects older individuals. Because there is not a large group of children affected, the outcome is uncertain. Children often respond differently to situations and procedures than adults and it is important to stay positive.
Yesterday, the family learned that the growth has spread to the portal vein. There is one lymph node that has been identified as being swollen and most likely affected as well. Because of these two issues, for now, Emmalee is no longer considered to be a candidate for a liver transplant.
On Tuesday evening, Emmalee began chemotherapy. A central line has been put in place through which the chemo will be administered. She will spend three to five days with inpatient chemo and then receive additional outpatient chemo in between a three-week cycle.
One expected side effect is that Emmalee will lose her hair. She will also experience nausea and sickness. Her white blood count will also be compromised. During this time she needs to be especially careful to stay as healthy as possible. Your visits are appreciated, but please be especially sensitive and not visit if you are sick or have been exposed by family, school, work (or elsewhere) to any illness.
While statistically this is a difficult cancer to fight, we are not giving up hope! Emmalee has a strong spirit and is fighting very hard. The medical community is doing all that they can to best treat Emmalee. It is our job to ask for the Lord's help.
Please pray for Emmalee, Steve, Kara, Matthew and Krystal. The family asks that we specifically seek for an understanding of God's will, the ability to exercise enough faith to see a miracle, and that doctors can be inspired to best treat Emmalee.
Again, thank you for all of your love and concern. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
With love,
Christy Wagstaff (544-3356)
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