SU2C for Alyssa

We appreciate you keeping Alyssa and our family in your prayers. Alyssa has been at Scottish Rite CHOA hospital since Friday, July 18, 2014. She has had pain in her left leg over the past few weeks and went to the doctor last week. After visiting her pediatrician, we were referred to a local sports medicine orthopedic pediatrician. He did an MRI on her back and found a mass in her abdomen. Long story short, she has a solid tumor in her abdomen that has spread to her pelvis, spine, and other bones. On Monday July 21, 2014 she had surgery for a biopsy, bone marrow, Lumbar puncture, and Chemo port installation into her chest. They confirmed this to be a malignant (cancer) cell that is in the more advanced stages.
The oncologist doctor confirmed that it is not leukemia/lymphoma (which would be preferred) and is a rare type of sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (type of sarcoma. Sarcoma is cancer of soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage),or bone. Rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in muscles that are attached to bones and that help the body move. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. It can begin in many places in the body)

What does this mean for Alyssa? A hard road ahead of fighting a tough up hill battle. She began chemotherapy today Wednesday July 23, 2014 to begin killing the cell and this will be a very aggressive therapy. Because the cells have spread and not staying localized the cure rate to completely kill the cells is low. In the short term her doctors will monitor the side effects closely. This is the worst possible scenario it could be and just ask respectfully to keep her in your thoughts and prayers because she is going to need it to be tough and get through this process.

Any donations are greatly appreciated and we will use these donations for medical bills and other related expenses.  Thank you for keeping Alyssa in your thoughts and prayers. 

Best Regards-

Lisa / Jonathan