bella's battle

As many of you know our Bella has been cancer free for 5 months!! when Bella was 11 months old she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Intermediate Risk Neuroblastoma (Non- MYCN amplification, Favorable Histology). Bella had a grapefruit sized tumor in her abdomen, a golfball sized tumor in her pelvis and disease in both femurs. Over the course of seven months Bella had received eight rounds of chemotherapy and two major surgeries (along with many minor procedures) at our home hospital, Albany Medical Center. On June 18th, 2013 we traveled to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC for Bella's major tumor resection which was performed by Dr. Laquaglia. The surgery lasted seven hours and Dr. L was able to remove both tumors in her abdomen and pelvis. Bella remained on life support in the PICU at NY Presbyterian Hospital for four days after surgery. Once she was stable enough to come off of the ventilator she was moved back to Sloan to finish her recovery. After Bella had made a complete recovery from her resection we returned home to finish her last two rounds of chemotherapy. On August 15th, 2013, Bella's scans showed NED (no evidence of disease!!!).  Since being declared NED, Bella scans every three months to ensure the Neuroblastoma has not returned. We also travel monthly to her primary oncologist for a port flush, labs, and urine testing.  Starting in february, we will be having scans performed back at Sloan in NYC. We currently live two hours from MSKCC and will be staying at the Ronald Mcdonald House which is three blocks from the hospital during our stay.  I have created this fundraiser after many inquires as to where people can donate to Bella's post treatment medical needs.  Thank you all so much for supporting our family and following Bella's road to recovery!