Update: March 1st

Here is the information Alexis found out this morning while meeting with the doctors:

Diagnosis:
Non Hodgkins T Cell Rich Cell, Large B cell Lymphoma ("diffuse" large B cell), Stage 4.

In english: it is good because it is a fast moving cancer, and these have a history of responding better to treatment! Also positive because her lungs, heart and pancreas are all looking good. Her liver is involved as well as her sacrum (tail bone area). She has tumors throughout her abdominal area and into her neck/clavicle area.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy will start this Thursday, and Alexis will receive treatments every other week for 6 weeks. The chemotherapy they will be using is called RCHOP.

The largest tumor is in her pelvic area, so she will require radiation on this tumor after the chemotherapy treatments are complete.

There was also a lot of teaching done about what side effects of chemotherapy she should anticipate and what she can do to help relieve those. From special diets to prescriptions, Alexis has an armory of tools to help her cope and give her some extra strength.

Misc, but important!
Alexis hair will fall out about 2 1/2 weeks after her first chemotherapy treatment.
Visitors are welcome during chemotherapy, but they must be healthy and wash their hands well.
Alexis gets to go with her basketball team to the tournament in Las Vegas! Hurray!

As overwhelming as all this seems, there are many bright spots and tender mercies, and Alexis continues to be strong and optimistic as always! After waiting 4 weeks for an official diagnosis, 6 weeks of chemotherapy (12 weeks total) doesn't seem quite as long as it did a month ago. It is a good thing to be started on the battle instead of still in the waiting area.

REMINDER: On Thursday, March 3rd, we will pull our efforts together to fast and pray for Alexis. This is the first day of her chemotherapy treatments, and she has hand picked this day as one that may require a little extra strength that can only come from a higher power. I don't know about everyone else, but it is a hard thing to watch this battle from the sideline, so I am grateful that our Father in Heaven has given us prayer and fasting so that I can do something to try and help.