11.11.09 - Here is a quick bullet update.  More details follow:

• Daisy was given the incorrect formulation of a certain Chemotherapy drug two weeks ago and had a severe and frightening reaction.
• She has Chemo again tomorrow and they are going to give her the same drug, but formulated correctly and are hoping she will not have the same reaction, but are going to pre-medicate her before just to be safe.
• Generally, Daisy has been feeling very well and her spirits are up.
• Her hair is getting pretty thin and today she said, “I am happy that I am going to be bald… no more knots, no more messy hair in the morning, and I won’t get a hot head in the hot sun!”
• Isaiah turned 9 today!
• Britt has swine flu.
• The whole family needs an extra prayer covering with Britt so sick… especially Kate, who is carrying such a heavy load.
• The risk for Daisy being exposed to the swine flu in the Merrick home while her immune system is weakened is obvious and needs prayer.

Some further details:

• Yes, horrifically, Daisy was given the wrong formulation of a chemotherapy agent. The doctors all said, “This never happens.” And of course they all felt terrible. There is an internal investigation going on to figure out how such a grave mistake could have occurred. For now, an additional third party will check all of Daisy’s treatments before they are administered to her.
• Obviously, litigation is quick to enter people’s minds. We were able to tell the doctors and nurses that we, as Christians, are not vindictive or vengeful people. We understand that people make mistakes and we are okay with that. Of course, it was a really big mistake, but which of us has not also made a really big mistake? And so how can we ourselves being imperfect, try to hold other people to the standard of perfection? We cannot. We know what it is like to be forgiven, having been forgiven of so much through Jesus Christ, so we must forgive in the same way. We were able to communicate this to our oncologist and tell him that we love and appreciate and value him and are so deeply thankful for all that he has done.
• The investigation will go on at the behest of the Cottage Hospital Pharmacy and associated parties to whom they are accountable. We do not want anyone to lose their job or reputation; we just want to use this experience to help create a safer system for future patients.

Technical Chemo Info:

• The medicine that Daisy was supposed to receive two weeks ago is called Doxorubicin. It is one of 3 agents she will be receiving during Chemo.
• What she received was an alternative formulation of that called Liposomal-Doxorubicin. It is a formulation that more aggressively attacks the cancer and is usually used in adults and administered over a period of 2-4 hours.
• Daisy got it in a manner that would have taken 6 minutes if it were not cut short by her reaction and the nurse’s stopping the flow through the access port in her chest.
• The pediatric pharmacist’s and the oncologist’s research leads them to believe that the reaction was due to the variant formulation and not the agent Doxorubicin itself. Therefore they feel confident that they can administer the treatment to her tomorrow without any adverse effects, but there is no guarantee.

Prayer Points:

• For Daisy to not react negatively to the Doxorubicin.
• For Daisy not to contract swine flu.
• For Daisy to be free from fear at her treatment tomorrow. (Fear has been a really huge problem for her at these treatments)
• For Kate to have extra strength and the Lord’s joy at this time.
• For Britt to get over the swine flu quickly.

The Merrick’s love you all and thank you so much!

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9