Ava's Treatment Plan and Misc. updates...

Ava began her treatment plan on July 24th.


Phase I consists of 6 weeks of chemotherapy and steroids along with other medications to reduce side effects of the chemo and steroids.

Phase II consists of chemo and steroids once every 3 weeks for 9 weeks

Phase III consists of chemo and steroids – schedule to be determined for 9 weeks.


Ava had surgery to install her port on Tuesday July 22nd. Her first chemo was on Friday July 24th and her second treatment on July 31st. We were in Seattle at Children’s Hospital for both of these treatments. On August 7th we were released from Seattle Children’s and flew to Anchorage for Ava’s third treatment on August 7th.

Providence Children’s Hospital in Anchorage is working closely with our team in Seattle to make sure all treatment plan and follow ups are on the right track. In the mean time we spend our week at home in Fairbanks and travel to Anchorage on the weekends for Ava’s weekly chemo treatments.

Ava had been breezing through all her chemo sessions up until her 6th week. On August 29th, the day after treatment 6 Ava spiked a high fever (up to 104.6). We were halfway between Anch and Fairbanks and had a choice to turn around or continue on and check into the ER once in Fairbanks. Once in Fairbanks we….well…it was a bit nightmarish but Ava was in and out of the hospital for about 2-1/2 weeks.

After Ava’s 6th chemo (August 28th) she had her follow up and scans to see how her body was responding to the treatment. On Sept. 8th the results were in and Ava’s tumor did not shrink enough to move on to phase II of the treatment plan. This means she continues with her weekly chemo for the next 6 weeks along with steroids. On week 6 she will be scanned and tested again and we go from there.

On Sept 18th we finally headed back to Anchorage for chemo after missing 2 treatments. So far so good and she is on schedule to go again this Friday. She is one brave and tough little girl and will get through this.

We have had some amazing support pour through over the last few weeks from so many family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We are so thankful for everything from helping us put the roof on our house to homecooked meals and airline miles for us to travel to Anchorage and back.

Thanks so much for all of your support, thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement - everything!!