Day 96 – Tuesday 13 April, 2010
Today Kath and Gary received pleasing results from the CT scan Emily had on Friday. As mentioned previously, Emily had a dye injected before her scan to highlight the neuroblastoma cancer cells in her body. The scan from Friday revealed a significant and amazing reduction in the amount of cancer remaining in Emily’s bones. Kath was able to view the scan taken at diagnosis (9 January) and the scan taken last Friday (9 April). The change in the pictures was staggering and made Kath and her family so happy. Emily also viewed the scans and was so pleased to have “way less cancer“. The oncologist is also very pleased and said again it was the “best possible outcome for this stage of treatment“. The CT scan from last Friday was basically clear with potentially a small amount left on the skull (see the picture). The picture below is somewhat amateur in nature, but a representation of what Kath drew for me, with great joy, to explain the results. It does not include the tumor which originally was the size of a peach but has also shrunk.
Although the special dye highlights the cancer cells, there will still be cells that will have been missed. Meaning there are still more intensive treatments to be had. These treatments will involve high dose chemotherapy, a stem cell rescue, surgery on the tumor, to name a few (not in any particular order). We will continue to keep this blog updated with information as soon as it becomes available.
We basically get one shot at eradicating all the cancer from Emily’s body as unfortunately at this stage there are no treatments for relapse. There is a 70% chance of relapse – lets hope Em is one of the 30% that kicks neuroblastoma’s butt.
She is doing so well, please keep encouraging her in her brave endeavours! Please celebrate, with us, today’s fabulous news but remember that this journey is far from over.
Vanessa & Leona
The Maloney Family
April 14, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
Wow – I have been wondering how you are all getting on and it’s so awesome that the latest news is positive. Well done to all of you. Emily the best word I can think of to describe you is “inspirational”. You go girl!!
The Watsons
April 14, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
This is fantastic news!! Well done Emily! Keep fighting sweetheart, we know you can do it.
Thinking of you always.
Sadie, Scott, Neil & Emma
xxxx
kathy
April 14, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Just had a wine with Grandma….she is over the moon with this latest news, as we all are. I made her ring tasha and she left a message about the GREATEST NEWS we have had Emily.
HUGS ALL ROUND Love the Kesselers XXXX
Trudi
April 14, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
We are thrilled to hear this great milestone you have made!
Go….Emily…. Power and strength to you, Kath, Gary and the family!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of love and continued prayers from Trudi & Family XXX
God Bless!
Shanda, Clayton, Riley, Cade and Lachlan
April 14, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
Hi Guys,
What an amazing family you all are and it was great to read such positive news on your progress Em.
Sending you lots of love as always
xx Shanda, Clayton and boys
Joanna & Mike Didham
April 14, 2010 @ 11:21 am
Hi Emily, Katherine, Gary and your amazing Family.
What fantastic news, Emily you are truly a wee fighter and inspiration to us all. Keep the fight up and we are all thinking of you and your Family.
Hugs and Kisses,
Joanna, Micheal, Madison and Jessica
Corin and Jess
April 14, 2010 @ 11:11 am
Dear Emily
This is wonderfull news to hear you have way less cancer and doing some serious butt kicking of cancer cells! You are being so brave and strong a inspiration to us all!
Keep fighting you are doing so well!!
Corin and Jess Dodds
Jaymee Wooddin
April 14, 2010 @ 10:10 am
To my cousin Em
Aunty just showed me the news about you and its the greatest ever. I am very proud of you Em it is wonderful that you are getting better
Lots of hugs and kisses
from Jaymee X O X O X O
Sharlene and Neil
April 14, 2010 @ 7:44 am
I have excitement tears welling in my eyes at the moment, such great news for you all.
Em you are such a soldier, truely battling against this cancer, and giving it all you have got! You are slowly winning the war! This is as the girls said a long battle ahead, but if you keep soldiering on the way you are, I’m sure you will keep kicking it where it hurts!
Keep up your bravery, smiles, and the love that beams from you and your family.
Thinking of you all everyday.
Your news has really made my week.
Your bravery is making me give something a go I am unsure of…if you have the courage to do what you are doing…then I should too!
Thanks for your inspiration.
Love and thoughts to you all.
xxxx
Linda & John Russell
April 14, 2010 @ 7:18 am
Hi there Woodin family,
We are so pleased to hear this news, well done Emily you really are a wee star.
Mum & Dad must be sooooooooo proud of you.
You keep being as brave as you have been.
We hope you get to be home more & more as time goes on.
hope you are enjoying seeing your friends during the holidays.
I check your blog every single day & get amazing news on you all the time. Give yourself a pat on the back.
Couldn’t be more pleased Kath & Gary.
Love to all
Linda, John & family xxx
Lea ribbon (Hatwell)
April 14, 2010 @ 5:08 am
Wow…what FAB news!!
Emily you are an amazing little girl!!
Lots & Lots of Love to you and your family Katherine. Thinking of you always xxxxx
Wendy Booth
April 14, 2010 @ 12:51 am
Kath, Gary, Em, Jack, Charlotte
What amazing news! We are all so thrilled for you, and cant wait to see you all again to give you a big hug. Jaime will be so happy when I tell her the great news. Just a wonderful way to end my day.
With much love to you all for your courage, determination and love in winning this fight.
Love the Booths
Margaret Mahon
April 13, 2010 @ 10:55 pm
Dear Em, Kath Woody & all the family
How great are the rewards for all your bravery and I am postive they will keep on coming
Emily – I think we will all have made enough happy tears to fill a swimming pool so you keep hanging in there and make us have enough to fill an ocean
I am wearing my beads of hope for you every day
Lots of love to you all
Margaret
Lois & Murray Scott
April 13, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
Hi to the Wooddin & Pluck family.
We are so very please to hear the great news on the CT scan.
Emily – you are a very brave, courageous wee girl. Keep up the fight; we know you can do it! Things can only get better from now on. You’ll have a new little baby brother in a few months to look forward to, so won’t that be great!!
Kath & Gary – You’re both an inspiration to us all. It’s been a battle; you’ve done extremely well!!
Take Care & all the best
Love Lois & Murray
Steve and Felicity
April 13, 2010 @ 9:24 pm
Today was the best day ever hearing this fantastic news.
Emily you are such a brave wee girl, keep up the fight. Like Vanessa, I was so happy that I went to tell my neighbour as soon as I got off the phone with your mum and started texting everyone. lol.
Guess what? Jake still hasn’t taken that splinter out of his finger yet, maybe we should throw him in the creek. (hehehe) He isn’t brave like you.
Well done Emily Keep Fighting. Your our Hero!
lots of love Uncle Steve, Aunty Felicity, Keanan and Jake. xoxoxoxoxoxo
Michelle Grant
April 13, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
To my dearest friends – Kath, Woody, Emily, Jack and Charlie Warlie!!
I can’t keep saying it enough – what fantastic news!! Although there is still a long journey ahead for you all we are so thrilled to hear such wonderful news. It definitely fills us with so much hope.
Emily you are such a trooper and I’m always amazed to hear how well you’re coping with it all because cancer really sucks but you’re taking it all in your stride. This hasn’t been an easy road for your family but you guys are doing such a great job. We’re so proud of you all. Keep up the great work
Lotsa love and hugs and kisses,
Michelle, Si and Holly
xoxoxoxox
Paula Chambers
April 13, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
Hi All,
What absolutely amazing and exciting news today. Through my tears of happiness I am blogging to wish you all well and lots of rest before the next part of the journey. Hope to see you all soon. Lots and lots of love.
Paula and Peter
Shirley Garthwaite
April 13, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
Dear Emily. When Aunty Fliss came and told me about your scan results I was so happy I cried.
I know you have way to go yet, but I am still nagging God about you. so this looks like an answer to my prayers so far.
Stay strong wee girl.
Kath & Gary. this is such good news, something really positive after all the horror. praying for you too.
Shirley
Chrissie Wooddin
April 13, 2010 @ 8:59 pm
Whooo Hooo . . .well done Em this is just the best news we have heard, you have tried really hard to kick your illness and been soooo brave, keep it up little girl !!
Tell your mum her drawing is also the greatest thing we’ve seen too lol it made my eyes feel sweaty !!!
love from aunty, Jenny, Jaymee & Jodie x x x
kathy
April 13, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
Emily, Katherine,Woody, Jack and Charlotte, Grandma and Grandad, and the other Nana and Grandad…..
This is the most fantastic news EVER. Now we know Emily that your fight so far was well worth it dont we. Somebody is sitting on your shoulder. I believe a special angel for you. For Mum and Dad…such GREAT NEWS….some relief for you both amongst it all. This will give YOU BOTH the answer….you did the right thing HUGS and LOVE. Sherilyn and Tom…..What can we say….you know it shant be a coffee now Sherilyn it has to be a wine to celebrate doesnt it???? Such prayers have been answered for you both and Katherine Woody and their family.
To the other Grandies….phew……HOPE lives on and even stronger now. When there is a light even though small at the end of a huge tunnel we ALL can believe again. Go EMILY….you are the most SUPER TROOPER. Im posting you the parcel tomorrow….look out for that in the post…
Love and HUGS always The Kesselers XXXXX
Vanessa Palmer
April 13, 2010 @ 8:48 pm
I am delighted at this news and feel so happy I could burst. So happy, that when I left the hospital, I wanted to tell strangers that I passed the good news. I know that we have a long road ahead and that Emily is not cured but this gives us all hope. It was absolutely my pleasure to share this news with everyone on the blog today. Emily you are a trooper and your incredible bravery is inspiring. You are my hero. I love you guys. X