Dressing Removed and Big Next Steps...

Today, after 5 days, Delaney was finally able to take off the dressing the surgeon applied after he removed Delaney's broviac. Her site is healing up extremely well, although she still has skin discoloration about 4"x6", due to the chloraprep (used to help reduce bacteria on her skin that would cause infection) and the weekly dressing changes. But we know her skin color will return in time. Little Miss Fierce has been able to play with water once again. With her little brother Merlin, she was able to play with a water gun, water balloons, and simply play with water in a small bucket, without worry. It was so nice to see such a simple act of playing with water, bring so much joy. And finally, after 11 months, Delaney can can take a bath, a shower, or go swimming again. Her eating and food aversion have remained the same, but Delaney works hard everyday on her food therapy. Delaney's intense physical therapy is beginning once again, now that she has overcome some big hurdles this past month. Delaney remains in good spirtits and and is enjoying regaining some of her freedoms of a childhood agin. Thank you for all the prayers love and support. As always... GO TEAM DELANEY!

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"

Successful Surgery....

Both of Delaney's procedures went very well yesterday. Delaney's Broviac was removed and she had a lumbar puncture. Mommy and Daddy waited in the waiting room and then shortly after her surgeon came out and told us everything went well. He said he literally pulled the dressing off and the Broviac came with it. Now that the Broviac is out if Delaney spikes a fever she can be treated as a normal child, there is no risk of a central line infection, which would mean an ER visit and admission to the hospital until antibiotics are given and the fever is gone. Another huge close to a chapter in Delaney's story. Delaney is very happy that her Broviac is gone and she is so proud to show that they are gone! Thank you for all the prayers, love, and support. As always.... GO TEAM DELANEY!!

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"

Surgery Fierce Friday!

Delaney will be heading to Oakland Kaiser with Mommy and Daddy this morning for the surgery to remove her broviac line. This will be a huge accomplishment and the close of just one more chapter in this long journey Delaney has. We are so proud of Delaney and how far she has come.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and Love for our sweet Delaney.

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"

Last Broviac Dressing Change Complete!

After 10 months and nearly 60 Broviac dressing changes, Mommy and Daddy have completed Delaney's last dressing change. Little Miss Fierce is scheduled to be at Oakland Kaiser this Fierce Friday at 745 am, to prepare for yet another sedation to remove her Broviac, and receive another lumbar puncture. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of Delaney, for each and every week that she was so calm and patient to allow Mommy and Daddy to do such a complete and through job, keeping her site clean. After 10 months, being neutropenic (a severe risk for infection) weeks on end, and constant dressing and cap changes Delaney never once had a central line infection and for that we are so grateful for. Thank you for all the prayers, love and support. As always..... GO TEAM DELANEY!!!!

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"

7 Day Countdown....

The countdown continues. Little Miss Fierce has 7 more days until her Broviac is removed, and what a day it will be. Delaney has a very long and challenging road ahead of her but she continues to make progress, slowly. Delaney is getting back to herself, the way she was before she became sick and her fight began . It brings so much joy to Mommy and Daddy to see Delaney happy and vibrant again, we have missed it so much. Delaney continues not to eat, but her confidence and willingness to try and taste food is getting stronger. Delaney continues to go to, Therapy At Play, where her food therapy sessions take place 1-2 times per week. This weekend mommy and daddy will start to withhold her formula bolus through her feeding tube, to once again, try and jump start her drive to eat. On Tuesday Delaney will head back out to Oakland Kaiser to receive IVIG again, through her Broviac, this is to help her immune system recover, after the bone marrow transplants she has received. Following that she will have one more IVIG in August, to complete her course of IVIG. And yes, many of you have noticed that Delaney's hair is growing back. It is a beautiful site for us all and wonderful to touch. Not to mention Delaney is trying to put bows in her hair once again, at least those bows that will hold to what little strands of hair she has. We remain steadfast in Delaney's recovery helping her fiercely push though each day and the challenges that may come. We remain optimistic, positive, and strive to find that silver lining each and everyday. Thank you for all the prayers, love, and support. As always..... GO TEAM DELANEY!!!

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"

10 Months Ago Today....July 12th

On September 12th 2013, Delaney endured a successful 12 hour brain surgery and the fight to kick cancers butt began. Delaney has come so far with her treatment these past 10 long months, she continues to FIGHT, and is 40 days cancer free!

Thank you to everyone that has helped with Delaney and the family during these past 10 months and continue to support as there is still a long road ahead. We could not have done everything we are doing for Delaney without the support from family, friends, doctors, nurses, strangers who are now friends, businesses, organizations, and the surrounding communities. Everyone has touched our hearts and will always have a special place in Delaney's and the family's hearts.

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!

T-Minus 16 Days...Let the count down begin!!

Delaney's Broviac or central line, an IV port with double lumens, that goes to her directly to her heart, is scheduled to be removed on July 25th. Delaney will be sedated for the removal of the Broviac and a lumbar puncture will be performed at the same time. The Broviac was placed in October of last year, it will have been in for 10 months. The Broviac has allowed Delaney to receive antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, sedation, IV fluids and much more. It provides instant access (especially when she was neutropenic with fever) without the need for constant and repeated needle sticks. On the other hand it is a big infection risk, the dressing must be changed every 7 days as well as the lumen caps. The dressing changes require it to be a sterile process, sterile gloves, masks worn by Mommy, Daddy and Delaney and all medical supplies are sterile. Delaney needs to completely still for the best results of good clean dressing change. But every single day Delaney's Broviac lines must accessed by Mommy and Daddy to be "locked" with heparin. The heparin prevents blood from entering the Broviac lines and clotting. All said and done Delaney will have had nearly 60 dressing changes (some daily at UCSF because of the chemotherapy) and well over 120 cap changes. It has taken a lot of work tracking, changing, and managing her Broviac and Broviac lines. It will be a big day, but until then mommy and daddy must remain vigilant towards Delaney's Broviac in every way. We are literally counting down the days! Thank you for all the prayers love and support. As always ...... GO TEAM DELANEY!!!!!

"And though she be but LITTLE, she is FIERCE!"