The Results Are In!

We headed to the hospital today for a normal clinic visit.  Since we expected to get the results of Michael's latest bone marrow biopsy, this clinic visit was anything but "normal" to us.  Today's news was so important, and my heart was quite heavy with all the possibilities of what we may hear.  I have to remind myself every time that we go to the hospital and the cancer clinic that these doctors, nurses, and staff deal with critical issues every day and that we are just one of many families who are suffering with childhood cancer.

The news for us today was wonderful!  Michael's biopsy showed NO sign of cancer.  I'll try to spare you all the boring details and simply add that he is healthy, still growing (up and out!), and looked good enough to them that they were willing to extend him to monthly visits.

Michael was pleased to hear that, pending continued good health, they'll remove his broviac (the external, IV line in his chest) after six months.  That timing would allow him to be free for the summer.

We had spent Valentine's Day at the hospital testing his heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and ears for any damage caused by the chemo and radiation.  Those test results showed no problems.  Is it possible to have too much good news?

The rest of the important "Keep Michael in Remission" two-year time line seems like a long road, but we can officially cross off 100 of those days.  Our assignment now is to continue to let him have a little more freedom while keeping him strong and protecting him from any viruses.  The next biopsy and round of testing will be at 180 days which will bring us to the end of April.  One day at a time, right?

One Hundred "Thank You's"

In all the craziness of the last two weeks, we had forgotten to give the final report on all the wonderful gifts from Michael's school friends. 

During the last days of his isolation, Michael received:

• Reese's, Airheads, Pringles, and gum
• Gatorade
• Silly String
• Bible puzzle book
• Origami kits

We could not have imagined a more kind and thoughtful way for Michael's friends to encourage him.  Thank you to each and every one who participated.

Baby Steps

Tonight our house was empty for the first time on a Wednesday night in months.  We all went together to our Wednesday night Awana and youth group programs.  All of us!

Since we are just supposed to take "baby steps" with reintroducing his weak immune system to exposure, Michael wasn't allowed to participate in all of the night's youth group activities.  He hid out in a quiet office (and took a spelling test, Mrs. Thaxton!) during the parts of the evening when all the 20+ teenagers are cooped up in a closed room.  He did join in when his small group met together and for the game time in the gymnasium. 

He was simply thrilled to do something normal, got to visit with lots of friends, and was one exhausted young man when we got home.  Tonight he's going to sleep like . . . a baby.

It's Official!

Michael had his +100 Day check-up today.  The doctors were pleased with everything they saw.  If you are interested in the stats:  Michael has gained another pound and a half, grown half an inch (since the start of the 100 days), and had great bloodwork.  His ANC was up to 3,000 today! 

The best part of the check-up was the Q&A session that followed.  Michael's complete isolation is officially over.  He must still be careful with exposure, but he can get out in public a bit more.  Crowds in closed spaces are either still forbidden or will require special precautions.  He's anxious to get back to church, but he'll have to sit in the balcony and visit with friends from a distance.  The food restrictions were also relaxed a bit.  He may gradually begin trying a few of the forbidden foods and be monitored closely for any trouble.  His IV infusion ended today as well; the anti-rejection drug was changed to an oral liquid, so he is now free from his constant line/pump setup.

The most important information we learned today was about Michael's future.  The doctors explained that each day of the first two years of his treatment are the most crucial.  Getting Michael into remission and through the bone marrow transplant was the imperative and successful first step.  Now we move from biopsy to biopsy, looking for a relapse.  Each negative (good) biopsy lowers his risk of relapse.  If the two years pass without any sign of the cancer returning, the doctors are confident that a relapse is highly unlikely at that point.  Every "clear" day is another answered prayer!

The biopsy was a little rougher than normal.  Michael had a strange rash reaction during the procedure and needed to have some medication to stop the problem.  The extra drugs made it much harder for him to wake from the anesthesia.  He also had a bit more soreness and general pain in his lower back.  It's been a tough but exciting day.

It's Day 100!

We tried to think of a more inspiring title for this post, but we are just so happy to be able to say that it is Day 100 that we gave up.  Sometimes simplicity can best express the most complicated situations.

Since we weren't quite sure what new freedoms Michael might have, we just celebrated this milestone quietly at home.  At the exact time of his bone marrow transplant, he shot off some confetti cannons and had a silly string war with his siblings.  He chose some special foods and finished the day with a chocolate cake.

When we look back at the past months, we are amazed at the progress that Michael has made.  He has had no side effects, no illnesses, no graft vs. host disease, no issues with strength or stamina; other than some initial trouble with his stomach, he has had no problems at all!  One of his home health care nurses told me this week that Michael is one of the most stable bone marrow patients they've had. 

We are excited to hear what the doctors have to say this Tuesday about Michael's health and what the next months will hold.  A biopsy will follow that appointment.  We can never know what the results of each biopsy will be, but we are simply content with the health that Michael has today.  Thanks for praying with us about the next part of this journey.