Luna Maria Plunkett

 

 

This page is in honour of the Plunkett Family of California USA.  The Plunketts are descendants of Our Patron, Saint Oliver Plunkett.  This is the inspiring story of Luna Maria Plunkett 's fight against cancer in her brain and spine - your prayers for Luna are needed so much and it's these that have taken her this far.  

We trust that Luna's continuing progress to full health and a complete recovery will give hope and encouragement to others suffering from this disease.  Luna's experience shows how powerful prayer is and that Our Blessed Lord can do all things no matter how difficult they seem to us.  We offer thanks for Luna's progress to Our Lord and through the intercession of Our Lady, St Peregrine, St Oliver Plunkett, St Damien, St Jude and St Therese of Lisieux on Luna's behalf.  In particular, in praying for Luna, her family have asked that these prayers are also offered for all people suffering from this terrible disease. 

These are the words of Luna's grandfather, Tom Plunkett II  - 'that in reading about Luna it will give some hope and encouragement to others to pray for all those affected by these horrible diseases.  Without a doubt Luna is proof how powerful prayer really is and the Lord has blessed her and us.' 

Thank you so much for your prayers.  

The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass has been offered for the personal intentions of all those praying for Luna.

May God Bless You Today and Always.

 

Please see Luna's story and updates below...........

 

 

LATEST UPDATES

 

21.8.10

Luna had her last chemotherapy treatment on Monday for this round (month).   She will start the 2nd round August 30th.  Her blood counts are low and Tom and  Luci started to give her the daily shot to boost her counts today.  This will go on for 1 week.  This weekend should be her low point and her counts should start climbing on Monday or Tuesday.  We watched Luna  and Oliver tonight so Tom and Luci could get away for a few hours alone. It is tough on them to again have to give her daily shots but with the Lord’s help they will be up next week. About October 1st she will have MRI's to see if there was shrinkage in the growth in the  brain. If they are happy, then 15 days of radiation will begin.  Then she again will be clear.     Tom Plunkett II

 

11.8.10

Luna went into the hospital last Wednesday and came home today.   She has had 5 straight days  of chemotherapy. She is in a clinical study using a combination of 4 strong drugs.   She will return to the hospital 2-3 times a week for out-patient chemotherapy treatments.  

Tom Plunkett II  

2.8.10

The doctors said the spot they found on Luna's Brain is about 5 millimeters (about 1/4 of an inch).   The tumor they removed at first was the size of a walnut.  They told Tom and Luci during her first treatment that with the large amount of disease (they never say  cancer) that it may reappear and even mention the treatment they are  now going to do.   She has been doing so well that I forgot why they are doing the MRI's every 3 months.  Catching the first signs of anything is so important which is what they have done.   I think the toughest part is being an impatient human.   But like you said we have to just pray more and thank the Lord for what he has done so far for Luna and all of us.   Tom and Luci had this weekend planned to go to San Francisco for a few days by themselves.   It was hard for them to leave but they did, so Cathy and I got to watch Oliver and Luna these last 3 days.   Today was the first day that Luna swam on her own.   She wears a life vest and was swimming circles and chasing Grandma.   Oliver for the first time was diving under water and swimming.   They were both so excited to tell their mom and dad. We took and sent them pictures.  Luna will be admitted to the hospital on Wednesday.   It will be a busy day for her.   They will do a spinal tap to check the fluid in her spine.   They also will put in a new port.   This may be an under the skin type so she can still swim and do ballet.  Then once she is awake and back into her room the chemotherapy will begin.  They want to hit this right away.  She will be in the hospital for 2-3 days.  They said most of her treatments will be as an out-patient but several 1 to 3 day stays may be needed.   After 30 days they will do full MRI's to check to see if the lesion is shrinking.  Then they will do another 30 chemotherapy treatment with MRI's at the end of that.   Then she will get 5 days a week for 3 weeks of low dose radiation to the head and spine.  They said as small as the new growth is they could just go in and get  it but the chemotherapy and radiation treatments should kill and  cancer cells floating in the fluids. They told Tom and Luci that they are not just prolonging anything.  They are going after this to kill it and fully cure Luna.  So we just have to pray that the Lord will lead the doctors to do this.  He has brought her so far.  The company I work for is sending me to northern California for 3-4 
days. This will be the first time I will not be there when Luna goes  into the hospital.      Tom Plunkett II

 28.7.10

Luna had her MRI's today and we did not get the results we were hoping for.  They found a small lesion in her brain.   A lesion is an abnormal tissue growth.   Next week they are going to do a spinal tap to see if there are any cancer cells in the fluid.   They believe they will do two rounds of light chemotherapy and low dose radiation treatments from her head down her spine. They are hoping that this will knock it out again, they again will install a port in her for some of the chemotherapy and some will be taken orally. They said much of the treatment will be done as an out-patient.  This was a tough one to write because she has been doing so well.  I know you will all continue to pray for her as you have done.  Thank you all for being there for us.   I will as we  send updates as we learn more.     Tom Plunkett II

 24.7.10

I thought I would of had an update by now for Luna but we are waiting for the insurance to get the OK to the hospital.   They were to  do an eye exam this week prior to eye surgery to correct the muscle that keeps the eyes in alignment but they could not see her due to  the written order for approval had not gotten to them yet.   They are also working on getting the approval for the MRI's they want done this month.   Hopefully they will get all these OK's needed for next week.     Tom Plunkett II

27.6.10

Luna is now riding the bike at physical therapy.   She will have another full round of MRI's and blood work at the end of July.   They may restart her child immunization shots soon after.   She still is taking antibiotics on the weekends.

Luna usually has a smile.  Luci has signed her and Oliver up for swimming lessons which will begin soon.  She is trying to learn again to jump. This is one of the motor skills that was lost because of the brain tumor and chemotherapy.   Another is running which she is also relearning.  She bends down and jumps up and just barely comes off the ground. Her face gets a big surprised look and she gets all excited. She finished ballet and said she would like to do it again. Since the insurance will only ok physical therapy 1 day a week these other classes from the city recreations dept work out great for her.   We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers for Luna and all of us.  Every time she smiles and laughs,  I thank God for all of you.    Tom Plunkett  II

 

6.6.10

All the paperwork problems between the hospital and insurance are again cleared up so Luna is back into physical therapy.  They cannot wait to show the therapist the pictures of Luna running and playing. They have her climbing a ladder but she has not run for them yet.   I think that will change this week.   Her next MRI's will be a the end of July, we just keep praying that they come back clear like the last two.  Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.   Tom Plunkett II

 

4.6.10

The Make A Wish Foundation came to the house last night and interviewed Luna’s family.  They suggested two possible wishes.  The first was a trip for their family to Disney World in Florida . The second was to fly the family to Florida and board a cruise ship for Disney's private island.  As they talked more about Luna, Tom told them how we met you.  Oliver showed them his Honorary Membership plaque that has his picture in the soccer shirt you sent him.  They talked about all the people you have gotten to pray for Luna.  The ladies said the story gave them goose bumps and told Tom and Luci that they believed a trip to meet you and go to Scotland to see some of the people doing so much for her would be a great requested wish.  They made this Luna's first pick.  They said the request for a wish first has to be approved by up to 3 different committees.  Then a committee has to decide what wish to grant.  The process can take from 1 month to a year to be approved or rejected.  They said they were really impressed with Luna's story and the support we have all gotten from all of you in Scotland.  Tom was so excited when he called us after they left his house.  The thought of us being able to thank you personally for all you have  done and have you meet Oliver and Luna is overwhelming.   Since there are so many steps before approval and than having them pick a trip to Scotland as her wish, I think I will still buy my weekly lottery ticket.   I have a feeling we will meet one day.   I will leave the how to the Lord, he has done great things for us so far.Just another of the so many God-Incidences - I have  become very busy at work.   One of the guys I work with said " what a coincidence that you were able to work close to home the whole time Luna  was in the hospital.   I just told him,  " ya, that's what I use  to think."  Tom Plunkett II

 

Luna's Story

 

In April 2009 Luna Maria Plunkett then aged two and a half years old was found to have a brain tumour.  It was removed, tested and found to be cancer. It had spread to the spine but the bone marrow was clear.  With the tumour being at the base of the brain her motor skills, swallowing, talking and walking had been affected by the swelling from the surgery.  Luna has had many surgeries, periods in hospital, treatments in hospital and at home. She is about to undergo her 6th chemotherapy treatment (November 2008).  A St. Oliver Plunkett medal hangs on Luna’s bed each time she is admitted to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.

She had an MRI test and it multiple tumors in her spinal canal. There were too many to operate.   She was too young for radiation so intense rounds of chemotherapy lasting over a period of at least 5 months were the only option for her.   Prior to her treatment Luna had stem cells harvested from own blood and these would be replaced once her treatment was complete.

By June her long dark hair had gone and replaced by a sort of blond baby hair.  Luna was always smiling and so positive and happy that it belied the seriousness of her condition.  Talks with the doctors brought the reality back about how sick she is.

Due to where the brain tumour was, Luna had to re-learn to talk and walk.  It was amazing how fast some words came back. When she first got home, she had to be held when she tried to walk. Her legs just went everywhere.  She began 3 days a week of 3 hour sessions at the hospital for therapy,  one hour of speech, one hour of occupational therapy and one  hour of physical.

At that time and due to the chemotherapy Luna had to stay away from anyone with a fever, cold and visitors so no infections spread to her. She couldn’t go into stores, restaurants or other closed in places.  This will continue to be the case until she finishes the chemotherapy and her blood counts return to normal.  Often Mom, Dad, her Luna and her brother, Oliver made trips to the park to play. If there were too many people there then it was off to the school down the street as no one was usually there due to summer.  Not being able to even come to visit her grandparents house at that time, really hit them hard.  Despite her difficulties Luna continued to smile, laugh and play with her family.  The medical people were pleased with her progress.

By the end of June, Luna still had the feeding tube in as she did not eat enough on her own. This is something they said will just take time. In the 1st month of chemotherapy one of the drugs is very strong and usually ends up giving sores in the mouth which burn when anything is tried to be eaten. This same drug will be given to her in the 3rd and 5th months.  Sores will again happen and after they heal in about 1 to 2 weeks she again will start to slowly eat.  There was a great improvement in the number and clarity of her words she spoke.  She still needed help walking.  She could do pretty good just holding on to one hand.  The hard part was trying to keep up with her!  When she went to the hospital the nurses were surprised to see how active she was.  Luna was waving and saying hi to them. There was no doubt prayers were making a great difference in her.

Fourth of July, Luna went to see her Daddy's high school band start off a parade in the morning and she ate half a barbequed hot dog for lunch!  By the end of the month MRI scans showed Luna’s brain was clear but the bad news was there seemed to be some swelling and extra fluid in the brain.  It was only three months since major brain surgery so doctors hoped that the swelling would reduce.

By August Luna was continuing to do well, happy, playful and always in good humour despite having difficulty eating and being ill due to her treatment.  By the end of this month Luna’s third treatment of chemotherapy was over. Thankfully she did not experience sores in her mouth like she did after the first treatment.  It was now that Luna first managed to walk 4-5 steps without having to hold on to someone's hand.  Her voice was getting lower, closer to that of before the brain surgery.  It was at times like this that no thanks would be enough for Dr. Javahery (her brain surgeon) and  Dr. Findlay (her cancer doctor).  By early September she was walking normally and even managed to put her favourite ‘ear hat’ on herself!

By mid-September the doctors were very pleased with how she was handling the chemotherapy drugs.  She was a little wobbly walking after the treatments but she has never lost her great spirits.  Oliver took Luna’s illness in amazing fashion.  One time, friends visited and hadn’t seen the feeding tube Luna’s in Luna's nose before.  Oliver was standing next to Luna and told them "don't worry about the tube in her nose, she needs it to eat."

Due to the position of her brain tumor, at the base of the brain, after surgery she could not talk, walk or eat.  Her right arm and hand shook when she tried to use it. She had been improving little by little.  After each chemotherapy treatment she had a little setback but recovers quickly.  When she first started talking it was in a very high pitched voice and one word at a time.  About a month ago she just started taking steps on her own.  She was very unsteady and  had to be held up.  Now she very seldom wants help to walk, almost running.  Her speech in one week doubled with her speaking whole sentences.  She could again tell you all her colors, could count  past 10 and put the correct shapes back into the puzzles. 

Luna's Grandfather, Tom Plunkett II puts it this way -  'I used to think it would be great to see one of the Lord's miracles first hand instead of just reading or hearing about them.  I really believe I have experienced many since last April and especially lately.  I now know how blessed I have been all these years with my wife, my sons, their wives and our grandchildren and especially to have so many friends and people I have never met to pray for us and especially Luna. At first the doctors were not too positive on Luna's future and now they cannot believe how well she is doing.   There is no doubt that the prayers for us and Luna are not only being heard but the Lord is smiling on her.   Nothing else can explain her amazing turn around.  On behalf of my family I thank all of you for the prayers and concerns for us and Luna.' 

Luna's Dad, Tom Plunkett III, told me this   'On the night before her brain surgery, it should have been the most sleepless night in my life.  My daughter was waiting for a surgery that could have serious side effects, or worse.   But I prayed like never before.  I put all my worries in God's hands like he tells us to.  I asked for faith and strength so that when I looked my daughter in the eye, she KNEW like I did everything would be ok.  I didn't want to fake it or lie to her.