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?