Alyssa's Journey through Leukemia
Photographs thanks to 'In The Moment Photography by Tanya' Click here for Photo's of the transplant Journey In August 2010, Alyssa May Miller, at the age of just 10 months, was diagnosed with Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Due to her young age at diagnoses, the medical team sugguested that she would have a 40-50% chance of surviving the condition and her treatment is expected to consist of around 2 yrs of chemotherapy &/or a bone marrow transplant which is all complicated by possibly being susceptible to Malignant Hypothermia (allergy to anaesthetic), a hereditary condition. Her 1st surgery and Chemotherapy comenced on 29th August 2010, then after over a month of chemo in hospital, 5 x blood transfusions, 4 x platelet transfusion and 1 X Plasma transfusion, Alyssa was finally allowed to go home over the October long weekend to celebrate her Birthday. In Februaryl 2011, the medical team advised that Alyssa will require a Bone Marrow Transplat after around 3-4 rounds of high dose Chemo. During the transplant process Alyssa, Amanda and Scott will be required to go into medical isolation (for around 3-6 months) during which time Alyssa will not be allowed physical contact with her big sister Madeleine. On 11 April 2011 Alyssa (with her Parents Scott & Amanda) went into medical isolation, at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick, to comence the conditioning period the following day. The conditioning period consisted of 1 day of preventative antibiotics (day minus 9) and 8 days of lethal doses of Chemo (Days minus 8 to minus 1). The Stem cell Transplant took place on 21 April 2011 (classed as day zero), in Alyssa's Isolation Room. The 2 weeks following the transplant were an extremely critical time, where Alyssa had no immune system while the new cells were finding homes and begining to grow. During this time transplant patients are also susceptible to infection from normally harmless pathogens which live in our bodies. The transplant grafted on May 5th 2011 (‘Day 14’), and on the 8th June 2011 (‘Day48’) Alyssa was discharged from full-isolation in the Sydney Children’s Hospital to semi-isolation at Ronald McDonald House. Alyssa's Transplant was not without it's complications, there were many sleepless night by both her and us, which included a life threatening infection requiring her lungs to be flushed in surgery and a bed on stand-by in intensive care. Our Oncology team gave us approval to head home for the day to celebrate the 4th birthday of her older sister Madeleine on the 18th June 2011 on the condition that Madeleine was the only child that she came into contact with. Then on the 23rd June 2011 ('Day 63') we were told we could go home but would have to return 3 times a week for blood tests and medical assessments. Although it is great to be home, it is also quite an anxious time as her immune system is still suppressed and will remain suppresses for a varying period of time which will need to remain closely monitored. Therefore Alyssa must avoid contact with as many people as possible, especially avoiding public transport public playgrounds and shopping centres etc. The "100 Day mark", which is 100 days post-transplant, is generally considered a milestone - by this time patients are considered past the worst of the procedure and on the path to recovery. Full recovery is slow, with it taking up to 2 years for the patient to return to full heath. Some of the side effects of transplant and chemotherapy can occur much later on in life, some of the things that may be affected include fertility, Learning, teeth, kidneys, lungs, eyes and at risk of developing secondary cancers. The Leukaemia Foundation is calling on all angels – people who like to brighten the lives of others –
Gold Week Telethon - Channel 9 
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