The Wait is Finally Over!

We got the report on Michael's biopsy today!  The news was all positive:  Michael's cells are now 100% Timothy's, so the engraftment has gone as planned.  There are no cancer cells present at this point, so the final rounds of chemo and radiation accomplished their purpose.  Michael is making all three kinds of blood cells on his own now without any aid of transfusion or medication, so his recovery is going quite well.

What an encouraging day (Day 46)!  After hearing the biopsy report, we continued with his regular weekly clinic visit.  Michael looked good enough to them that they are going to allow him to wait two weeks until his next appointment.  Another bit of great news!

The only problem that Michael has been facing lately is a sudden, nagging stomach pain and nausea.  He finds that even though he wants to eat, he is so overcome with the pain/nausea at mealtimes that he can hardly eat enough to get his required medications down.  He's been discouraged, concerned, and quite weak and tired as a result of hardly eating for most of a week.  He did lose some weight.  The doctors today seemed unsurprised by this problem and gave me some ideas to trick his brain and stomach into accepting more food and to help him gain his weight back.  He's been doing so well that we were a bit surprised to finally run into a hurdle in his recovery; we'll continue to count our many blessings, though, and happily tackle this problem.

We spent the rest of the day in physical and occupational therapy.  While Michael has no specific problems, they'd like to see him regularly to help him regain the strength that he has obviously lost over the last months.

Thanks to all of you who have asked so faithfully about the results and patiently waited with us.  We appreciate your support.  He will have another biopsy after Day 100, and we will pray that the results will be the same.  One step at a time . . .