Just a few weeks after her first birthday, Harper Rose was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer that grows from nerve cells and almost exclusively affects children.
On July 27th, after Harper had dinner and her dad had changed her diaper, he noticed a bulge on Harper’s left side. They had thought Harper was only full and needed to use the restroom. She had used the restroom twice and the bulge was still there. After an uneasy feeling in both of her parents, the next morning they decided to take Harper to the doctor.
From there Harper’s pediatrician had felt and examined the bulge and sent them to Rady’s Children’s Emergency Room. Mom went in with Harper as only one parent was allowed in at a time. They had started doing tests resulting in an ultrasound, IV placement, and labs. At 12 am July 28th, Harper was admitted to the hospital for what looked like a cancerous mass.
The treatment plan that the pediatric oncology team has decided upon as the best course of action is chemotherapy every 3 weeks, 22 days, 4 cycles for 12 weeks. Along with going to the hospital twice a week for labs and possible blood transfusion if her hemoglobin or platelets are dropped too low.
In January, Harper started the DMFO clinical trial. She had a dose reduction since she had a reaction to the 10 pills a day. It was reduced by 25% to 8 pills a day and a month into the second dose she got sick again. As of April 18th, we decided to remove Harper from the trail as the medicine did not work with her body.
On April 20th she had scans- MIBG and MRI of the body and head. Harper is recovering, working on eating, and will be seen by occupational therapy for oral aversion to remove the G tube. She will continue to have scans every 3 months and then 6 months following the first year. Harper will be starting her immunizations back up from 0-current as stem cell transplant had wiped them out. Harper had her Make-A-Wish staycation coming up in June. Her favorite thing is mermaids and the beach.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Harper & family on this journey. We ask you please continue to pray for Harper as she is officially in remission!
Hope session by Oh My Goddard Photography | Facebook