Phase 4: Delayed Intensification
Delayed Intensification (DI) is considered to be the most difficult phase for most kids undergoing treatment for ALL. Roughly put, the first month of DI is like the induction phase (steroids again!), while the second month is like the consolidation phase. In addition, they introduce new drugs like Doxorubicin. In our kid’s case, due to severe allergies to PEG-asparaginase, she had to take 24 chemo injections of Erwinia, which made it more difficult (12 in the first month, and 12 more in the second).
Thanks to a combination of nutritious food (and green juice), positive attitude, eagerness to finish the intense frontline therapy (and good luck!), we managed to complete this phase with minimal chemo holds and complications. Details to come soon.