Latest on Leah Still's setback in cancer treatment

Life is full of curveballs.

Devon and Leah Still know that all too well, and they were hit with another one Friday after an apparent setback in Leah's cancer treatment.

I need some prayers sent up for Leah tonight! We hit a pretty serious complication from the stem cell transplant called VOD. They caught it early so hopefully it gives the doctors a better chance of stopping it from getting aggressive. As you can imagine our minds are all over the place but we're going to try and remain positive! #LeahStrong #WaitingForTheDayEverythingReturnsToNormal

A photo posted by Devon Still (@man_of_still75) on May 29, 2015 at 4:39pm PDT

Hopefully, the VOD Leah was diagnosed with today turns out to be cureable after doctors found there was no evidence of active cancer left in Leah's body earlier this year. Leah also began stem-cell treatment earlier this month, which this is an effect of. Stem-Cell Treatments are an inpatient procedure lasting about 4-6 weeks where patients receive a high dosage chemo in order to destroy their damaged or cancerous cells in the body and rebuild new healthy cells.

Leah started the treatment on May 5th, meaning she should just now begin nearing that recovery window. Here's an explanation of what VOD is from the Canadian Cancer Society:

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) occurs when the small blood vessels that lead into and are inside the liver become blocked. VOD is caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy given during conditioning or intensive therapy before stem cell transplant. It develops in the first few weeks after a stem cell transplant. VOD can be mild to severe. Most cases are mild and the liver will repair itself.

We're praying it's the 'mild' kind and it will be just another obstacle that Leah can push through. For a five-year-old, she's shown far more fight while keeping her spirits high than you'll see in most grown adults.