Tuesday December 30, 2014. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!! It sure has been a while and I am happy to be able to share my time with you all again. A little recap of our year and what we anticipate going forward. As many of you know, Chase Roger Foley at 4 weeks old was diagnosed with ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and was rushed right to Golisano Childrens Hospital in Syracuse for immediate treatment which included intensive Chemo therapy. This was a huge change for the entire family that included three other children. They never returned to their home in Lowville, NY and ultimately had to relocate to Albany to participate in a drug trial that was meant to prevent relapse. Chase responded very well to all of his treatments and was on the road to healthy cells. In April of this year his Drs were getting ready to remove his Hickman Port because he had been in remission for well over a year and they have completed all of him Chemo Therapy. they wanted to do a few tests first just to be sure and the results were not good. The worst had happened and Chase had relapsed. This poor little guy, not yet in his third year of life, had endured much more than any child should have to in their entire life span. Chases Doctor at Albany Medical Center felt that a Bone Marrow transplant would be the best chance for his recovery. So the Chase was on. We had to fine a donor. With the help of family, friends and even a celebrity or two, Chase was able to get not just one match but upwards of 4 matches! This is relatively unheard of. Not only was a match found for Chase but through the efforts of family, friends, Deletebloodcancer.org and bethematch, we registered over 300 new potential donors on the National Bone Marrow Registry. On August 5, 2014 Chase was administered his Hero Marrow and took the transplant like a trooper. He had a room full of people there to cheer him along and even road him bike in the halls while the transfer was taking place. Mom and Dad had a hard time keeping up with him. He continued to improve impressing every single person who came in contact with him along the way. His Doctors were all amazes at the fact he did not have any down time and the worst reaction he had was a GVH, or Graft vs. Host, rash. This was treated with steroids, 2mg two times a day. Chase was doing so well that he was able to leave the hospital only a few weeks after him infusion although they had to stay close to Strong Memorial in Rochester and were forced to reside in a hotel room for a month they were free to travel to Buffalo on weekends as long as there were no symptoms. Chase, and Peyton and Mom and Dad came to Buffalo on weekends and stayed with me where we celebrated Chases 3rd birthday in September with a backyard BBQ. It was a fun day had by all. By the end of September Chase was well enough to be released from Strong and on October 2nd the family moved back to Albany once again where he continues to be monitored by his Doctors there who communicate with the Transplant Team in Rochester. Chase has has two bone marrow tests since his infusion on August 5th and both were cancer free. His last test was in Rochester on November 21st at which time it was determined that there was none of his old marrow that the Hero Marrow has grafted and is reproducing. Now at Transplant Day 147 the family has been back in Albany since October and Chase continues to progress. His Doctor is reducing the steroid to try to get him off it and has reduced the dose to 1.8mg. He is showing a slight increase in his rash but nothing more. He has a check up appointment today so we will have an update later today or tomorrow on what they said. The family is currently living at the Ronald McDonnald house in Albany and Chase still the spokes child for the Capital District RMH and charming every person he sees. Peyton started 1st grade this year. Mom has actually been able to start a new job and Dad is there supporting everyone. So, it has been a long but productive year. Heres to the next being a prosperous one for this family. And to all of you, we thank you for all of your support and kind words through the year and wish you all a very Happy New Year! --AUNT SHELLIE
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 15:22:13 +0000