Day 3....a Good Day...

A note from Alice...

 F. Napoleoni

Dear Friends,

     I've had two nights of chemo, out of four, so far.  Then I'll have two days of rest before the infusion.  I'm feeling good right now. Josh and I walk around the hallways every morning and afternoon. Everyone is really nice here, especially our nurses. 

    The doctors come to see me everyday. They say everything's going well so far. They have had to give me some extra phosphorus and insulin, as some of my body's levels are being affected by the medicines they're giving me. But apparently it's very common. They said I probably won't start really feeling the effects of the chemo until about next weekend, so I I'm hoping that I can feel this well for about another week or so. :)

Love,

Alice and Josh

The road leads to Tampa

Alice & Josh continuing their journey...

On Monday, June 24th, Alice and Josh arrived in Tampa.  The latest part of their journey to Alice's bone marrow transplant officially began at the Moffitt Cancer Center today, June 25th.  

Moffitt Cancer Center  ~ Tampa, FL

Alice's first procedure went well.  Alice's doctors inserted a central line which includes a port.  It is through the port that Alice will be administered chemotherapy and other drugs, receive blood draws and transfusions, etc.  

Alice will receive her chemotherapy treatments each day beginning tomorrow through Saturday, the 29th.  The high doses of chemotherapy drugs are used to kill the cancer cells in Alice, but will also kill any healthy bone marrow cells.  After the last chemo day, Alice gets two days rest.  A rest that will be much needed.

Meanwhile, Alice's brother and donor, Robert will also be in Tampa. Robert will begin receiving his Neupogen shots for 5 days.  The shots are critical to increase the production of Robert's own blood marrow stem cells.  This excess of blood marrow stem cells will be collected on Monday, July 1.  These precious cells will be transplanted in Alice.

On Tuesday, July 2nd, Alice will receive her transplant.  Doctors will use the central line to complete the transplant.  As the stem cells find their way to Alice's bone marrow, Alice will begin the rebuilding phase of her treatment.  This is a long process and does not happen immediately.

 

Although these are critical days, weeks and even months ahead, Alice and Josh remain positive and uplifted by the continued support of all of you, their family and friends.  

We continue to support Alice and Josh through our fundraising efforts on www.Give2Alice.com.  The fundraising page is also a great place to show your support by posting a "HUG" or message for Alice.  Just click on the tab and login with an email address or a Facebook account.  You can also leave your encouragements right here on our blog on Hugs and Support.  Either way is a great way to send Alice some love and hugs! 

Lastly, if you would like to subscribe to the blog, simply scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click subscribe or click here.  You will receive our updates as we post them throughout Alice's journey to healing.

As Alice has stated before, "We have a long road ahead of us...", but we are here for you Alice, Josh & Katie.   We are vigilant with you in this fight against cancer.  

Fundraising results inspire us to keep fighting with Alice

It's a fundraiser yard sale!

Josh, Katie and Alice on Yard Sale Day!

On May 18th, 2013, the Christ's Church Neighborhood Group, hosted a fundraiser yard sale for the benefit of Alice!

The group, headed up by Mark and Debbie Tyre, received donations amounting to hundreds of items.  The yard sale was a huge success with a wide selection of items ranging from tote bags to an official size basketball hoop!

Mark & Debbie, our awesome do-gooders!

There were so many items that the group is planning another event.  They will host a fundraiser garage sale on June 8th from 8 am to 2 pm at 11867 Oldfield Point Drive, Jacksonville, Florida  32223.

Debbie, Mark and your group of awesome do-gooders, we thank you!  The world is a much better place because of people like you.  The Give2Alice team is grateful for all the love, kindness and generosity you have shown our friends Alice, Josh and Katie.

Please join us as we support the Christ's Church Neighborhood Group's effort to Give 2 Alice!  Please share the information about the upcoming garage sale with everyone.  Post us on Facebook or Twitter.  Tell your friends and neighbors!  

If you can't make it to the garage sale, please consider a donation to our Give2Alice fundraiser, by visiting Give2Alice.com or by stopping in any VYSTAR credit union and donating to the fundraiser account for the benefit of Alice Larson. 

Mark and Debbie are also still taking donations for the yard sale, for any questions, please contact us on our blog or through Give2Alice.com.

Together we are making a difference!