Proton Radiation Days 10-14

Caroline finished her 14th of 20 total Proton Radiation treatments today!

To date, she has minimal side effects (just nausea/vomitting and some nerve-related leg pain), and is doing a great job with the daily routine.  She loves seeing her Proton team every morning, and so far, the experience at Cincinnati Children's has exceeded expectations!  We are very thankful for everyone in the medical field that have dedicated their lives to helping others; it's truly a gift. 

Caroline has been able to continue her home-bound schooling a few days a week while we are here, thanks to a very generous new friend we met last week!

Mark came to visit for his birthday - so much fun celebrating, although we really missed Andrew.

While in town, Mark and Caroline were able to go to a Flashes of Hope photography session (Margaret and Caroline have done this before)...to our surprise, Caroline's picture from her Vanderbilt session earlier this year was spotlighted on the Cincinnati Chapter table!  They told us that all 55 chapters (nationally) are probably using her picture in their display and marketing materials!

On Thursday, Caroline pulled out her NG Tube, and is going back to taking her daily medication orally.  The tube was rubbing on her nose and causing some redness and discomfort so she decided it was time to get rid of it all together; she hasn't needed to use it for feedings in over a month.  We are very proud of her!

We are BEYOND thankful for our friends who have helped us with Andrew, Hank (the dog), and our home, while we continue to juggle and navigate this chapter of a very long and difficult process.  We would fall apart without this amazing army of love and support!

Again, thank you all for the prayers and encouragement throughout this journey.

Much Love,
Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Progress Update

Caroline is feeling better today and has started to eat and drink a little bit!  The clogged line issue from the weekend has been resolved without any surgical procedures, and her oxygen levels and blood pressure are back to normal.  We hope that she can be discharged within the next few days.  When she is allowed to go home, she will leave with a daily IV antibiotic that we will administer at home, through her central line, that runs for 14 days to ensure the infection is completely gone.

We have confirmation that Cincinnati Children's Hospital has received her transfer records, and we expect to hear from them later this week to schedule her Proton therapy.

Thank you for you all the vigilant prayers, especially during this scary ICU/infection experience.  We are also beyond thankful for the generosity that we've received in Paypal donations for the upcoming travel expenses.

So much appreciation,
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Trying some "real" food last night!

Art with Aunt Joanna is the best!  Grumpy Cat and "Grumpy Caroline!"

HOME!!!

Caroline was discharged today after 21 straight nights in the hospital!  This is earlier than we expected, so we are EXTRA thankful to be sleeping in the comfort of our own beds again!  She came home with a couple medications that still need to be tapered off, as well as NG tube feeds...but as she feels more like herself, we're hoping everything falls back into place. 

We should have another update tomorrow about the next step (radiation) in this very long and grueling process.  Caroline has been a superstar so far - we're truly blessed!

Much appreciation for all the love, prayers and support!!!

Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Peace Out!

Progress Update

Caroline has incrementally started to recover from her high-dose chemo (which ended on 7/19).  She is starting to sit up in the bed/chair, is doing some music and art activities, and she is talking again!  She was able to get off oxygen, and has been weaning off her IV nutrition, and transitioning to formula feeds through her NG tube (she still is not eating solid foods, but that will come in time).  She also has not had a fever in the last 48 hours, and she has reduced the number of pushes on her pain medicine button (self-weaning), which is also very promising! We are hopeful that this progress continues.  Caroline's white blood cell count/ANC (aka: immune system) is starting to appear, so we're hopeful she's turned the corner and is on the rebound!

Thank you for the continued prayers and support,
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Finally sitting up on Tuesday morning!

Healing rest.

Reunited with Andrew on Sunday (7/29) - they were both so happy!

Nona and Papa are here for a week!

She practically launched out of bed when she saw Papa!

Chemo Complete! (Hopefully FOREVER!)

Today was the last day of chemo for this round (and hopefully ever!)!!!

So far, Caroline has been in pretty good spirits...she is still eating and drinking a little bit, playing with slime, doing art, and even got out of bed to do some music therapy.  Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are currently her biggest side effects, so she is on a few medications to help with those.  We expect the next few days to get progressively worse, as her body continues to react to the high-dose chemo.  Although she is eating a little, the doctors have started Caroline on some nutritional supplements via an IV line and her NG tube.  The next big step is the stem cell transplant, which is scheduled for Monday, followed by approximately 3 weeks of inpatient recovery (again, due to the high-dose chemo side effects).

Andrew is currently enjoying 2 weeks of fun on vacation in Baltimore with family. Yesterday, thanks to a very generous friend, he got to attend Day 1 of Ravens Training Camp 2018.  He had a blast and got so many collectibles, which he said he wants to share with his little sister when he returns!

Mom and dad don't sleep very much these days...we're still struggling to deal with all of this mentally - the long and exhausting treatment protocol, what's still ahead, and being separated from each other constantly.  That being said, we cannot express enough how much we appreciate the visits, outreach, love and support from our friends and family.  We are very thankful we don't have to go through this alone...Caroline and her army of supporters are strong, so we must stay focused on that, even though it's easier said than done.

Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Goofy time with music therapy.

 Training camp with Pop-Pop.

Cousin fun!

Thank you, MP, for always decorating Caroline's room every time we've been admitted...we love you!

Happy 5th Birthday, Caroline!

Happy 5th Birthday to our sweet Caroline!

She's feeling pretty well, and is having a great birthday weekend.  To commemorate the special day, we had our family picture taken this morning (thanks, Anna, for the pics and insanely quick turnaround!)...here are some of our favorites:

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our family...and here's to many more birthdays to come!

Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Reunited...and it feels so good...

We're all home and under one roof!!! 

Thank you for lifting up so many prayers!
Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Besties!

A Better Day / Local Fundraiser

Caroline’s fever looks like it has finally broken (hope this doesn't jinx it!)!  She has been fever-free since 7am this morning, and we're so grateful for the improvement.

She does have a little fluid retention /swelling as a result of some of the treatments she's received, but it doesn't seem to be a major concern at this time.  We are also monitoring a new, mild body rash that seems to be spreading, with no clear indication of the cause (yet).  Luckily, it's not currently itching her, but it is a concern that we will monitor and hope for a resolution ASAP.

The Vandy team started Caroline back on her NG tube feeds this afternoon - she will slowly increase the dose until she is able to tolerate at least 75% of her nutritional needs; she will continue these feedings at home (whenever we get back there) until she can/does eat proper nutrition on her own. The high-dose chemo and mucositis really effected her GI tract, and she hasn't wanted to eat or drink much at all over the past few weeks.  She is also able to take her oral medications through the NG tube, which is a huge help while she's still recovering from the pain of mucositis.

We expect to be in the hospital at least a couple more days, or until she is "healthy" enough to return home.

Local Nashville friends: please click the link below to check out this awesome family fun event that Autumn Jones has put together to honor Caroline. Thank you very much, AJ, and all of the supporters!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carolinestrong-party-fundraiser-tickets-46769774655?ref=eios&aff=eios

Many Thanks!
Team Lantz
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Thank you for sharing your unicorn cookies, Arlie!

22 Days

After 22 days in the hospital, we're out!

#carolinestrong

#ftgf

She's turned the corner/Angel Nurses

Today, Caroline's ANC (absolute neutrophil count/immune system) was up to 750, which is great progress, considering she has been at 0 (zero) for a long stretch!  Among other things, she needs to have an ANC above 500 for 3 days in a row to be considered for discharge.  She is still on a laundry list of medications, and a little swollen from fluid retention, but barring any setbacks, we are on pace to go home Monday...1 week ahead of schedule!  We are VERY excited to all be together again in the same house!

Caroline will come home with her feeding tube for at least 4 days, or until she is getting enough nutrition through her regular diet.  We should be able to enjoy 5 weeks at home before the next round of high-dose chemo/stem cell transplant #2 (more details to follow, as we get them).

Once again, thank you to all the doctors, nurses and support staff at Vanderbilt!  Caroline is having a great time this week hanging with many of her nurse friends: Morgan, Josee, Abby, Deanna, Valerie, Ashley, Livvy, Jennifer, Caitlin, Sarah, Kate (welcome home!!!), and so many more...we are so blessed and grateful to have such wonderful people taking care of our daughter!

Thank you for all the prayers and support!

The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Arts and crafts with Nona!

Mucositis Pain / C. Diff / Rash Update / Fever

Caroline is still in really rough shape overall.  She has severe pain from the mucositis that has spread throughout her GI tract, which is a major side effect of the high-dose chemo and not having an ANC (immune system).  She is also still struggling with the pain and effects of C. Diff, which she will be tested for weekly, until she tests negative for the infection 2 weeks in a row.  Her pain is being managed by both a continuous morphine drip and a demand push-button.  She's also been fighting off a fever for the last few days.  We are grateful that Caroline is no longer dealing with the rash that lasted for 7 days, and she has not complained about any severe itching for the past several days.  Her day primarily consists of laying in bed, with an occasional trip to the couch to play with her baby dolls.

We are hoping that she begins to turn the corner over the next several days.  The first indicators will be an improved ANC, and less pain in her mouth/throat and GI tract.  She has not been able to eat or drink in over a week, but is receiving nutrition through her NG feeding tube and IV fluids.

Thank you for all the love and support!

Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Changing the lines/IV bags...so many medications hooked up at once.

How she spends most of the day.

Peach fuzz hair will fall out again from this round of chemo.

Morphine push button.

She loves playing babies with Aunt Joanna!

Always trying to smile, no matter how she feels!

Feeding Tube / Day 3 and 4: High-Dose Chemo

Chemo #1 and the baths every 6 hours around the clock are thankfully behind us now!  Caroline is still getting Chemo #2 daily, with the last dose being tomorrow.  Sunday will be a day of "rest" before her stem cell transplant on Monday.

Caroline had a feeding tube (aka: NG tube) placed today to help with getting nutrition and the medications she has been taking orally into her system.  She's struggled with both eating and taking her meds the last couple of days, so having the tube will get her everything she needs, without worry.  The process of getting the tube inserted can be scary, but Caroline was a trooper (as usual!) and did a great job, with minimal crying.  The nurses and staff were absolutely wonderful during the procedure.  We cannot express in words how grateful we are to be here with this team at Vandy!

Love,
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf