Hello dear friends...
Today was a big day. Mom had an appointment at 2pm today where she found out the results of her latest bone marrow biopsy. And the results were......NO LEUKEMIA in her bone marrow. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA...HALLELUJAH!
So, in summary of all that the doctor said, mom's Intermediate Risk Leukemia is in remission. The chemotherapy cleaned out her marrow and there is absolutely NO leukemia to be found. WHOO!
Even with all of this great news there are, however, a few complications on the road ahead. They are still concerned about her liver. Even though her bilirubin counts continue to decrease, they are worried that her liver would not be able to handle another dosage of chemo. The doctors are annoyed that they cannot figure out the cause of her liver malfunction (the liver specialists think that it was just a response to all the drugs she was on...but they're not for certain). So, for the next couple weeks they will continue monitoring her as they have been since she's been home.
So, what are the next steps for the sweet Pammy Sue? Well, they are hoping to start consolidation chemotherapy in two weeks. What's that, you ask? Consolidation chemo is the second phase of chemotherapy (the first was Induction Chemo). The goal of this phase is to destroy any remaining leukemia cells that might have re-surfaced since her initial treatment. They will give her fairly high doses of chemo for 3-4 cycles. This time it will probably be done in an out-patient setting. So she will go in for her chemo treatment and then get to come home to recuperate.
There is a 50-60% risk of relapse for mom's type of AML. If she were to get a bone marrow transplant, her risk of relapse would decrease to 20%. So this is obviously the best option. However, one thing we all learned for the first time is that there is a 20-30% risk that the patient will die due to complications from the transplant. We're not going there.
We are hoping that mom's liver withstands this next round of chemo so that they can proceed towards a bone marrow transplant. The type of transplant she will receive is called an Allogeneic transplant. This replaces the abnormal cells in her bone marrow with healthy blood-forming cells from my Aunt Cindy. An Allogeneic transplant has a higher risk of serious side effects than consolidaiton chemo; however, the risk of relapse is lower. If all goes well, she will be receiving my Aunt Cindy's bone marrow in approximately 8 weeks.
So, that's all we know for now. Mom looks absolutely amazing and she says that she feels practically normal. If I can get her permission I will post a cute pic of her new stylin' wig!
Bless you all for your sweet care and abounding love!
Lindsay
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
So, I guess the proper response to this post is...Praise the Lord, but keep praying! :) Will do! We want to come see you soon, but figured we shouldn't bring our colds to your house, so will wait a little longer. Love to you all!
I'm so happy to hear that your mom is healing!! Yeah for Pam! Thanks for your sweet updates Beall. Praying for your guys...
Wow - what great news! We continue to pray and Pam - you look so great in the Easter picture - bright sparkly beautiful eyes showing that bright sparkly beautiful spirit! Our best wishes and prayers continue. Larry and June Ann
Happy to hear the news! Looking forward to seeing this "styl'n wig" pic. ;)
We'll keep praying!
Again - Thanks so much for letting us know how things are going. We will keep those healing and wisdom for the doctor prayers going. So glad you can be home Pam - think of you everyday!
Love,
Jean
Praise the Lord for good news. Still praying for complete recovery!
My Dear Pam,
Wowee... I have just read your latest BLOG and what joyous news. God has answered our prayers. You are a miracle... to have you bounce back like this is all about the healing taking place in your body with God as the healer. How wonderful for you to be home with your family! There is no better place for you right now. Stay focused, eat well, sleep soundly, and take each day as it comes. The Lord will be right beside you along your journey. May the Lord bless you and keep you and lift his face to shine upon you and give you peace.
We love you so, Phyl and Coby
Wow, praise Jesus! I got a little choked up from the last two posts, but since I'm in public I'd better buck up. I do have to say, I'm not surprised at this report of our God's faithfulness!
God is so good!!! Aunt Pam we love you so much and are so excited to hear the word remission. Hope to see you soon, Jens and I are missing our weekend visits with you. We will be praying for the continually healing of your liver, and body as a whole.
Love,
Jens and Rosie
Praise Him, Praise Him, all the little children, God is good; God is good. I'm not quite sure why that little song came to mind, but there you have it. I am, as everyone is, THRILLED to see how you are progressing towards complete healing! Blessings & love, Pam, to you and your beautiful family, again and again and again!!
-marianne
Yippee....Praise God for the great news. We will continue to pray for complete healing of your liver. I think about you all the time. My sweet Nicholas (4 years old) listens to his Wee Sing cd in his room everyday. What a joy it is to see your music cd's spread from one child to the next. When you are feeling up to it, I would love to come visit and give you a hug.
Always thinking about you and praying for you up in WA.
love and blessings,
Shana Jabusch
so can we get that wig photo up asap? Mama Beall don't hold out on us. xoxo
Hooray, for Pammy! Although there are certainly obstacles ahead, it sounds like you are well on her way! Good work, Pam, way to tell those cancer cells who's boss! I will keep praying for you all.
Another great entry, Beall, good work.
Love,
Beth
Just home from Puerta Vallarta and read the fantastic news!! Thank you, Jesus! I'll keep on praying.
Love, Carole P
Hallelieua! I've been praying for you every day...guess I'm pretty good at it, huh? So glad you get to be home. Thanks, Lindsey, for your articulate explanations - they are very understandable!
Love & hugs to you, Pam.
Susy Riches
God Bless you as you continue to find strength in Him. We lift you up in prayer almost every day here at the church. Though I haven't met you, I am blessed by your beautiful testimony. We wil continue to lift you up and your family...
It is me, Leah from Alberton, MT. I am sorry that I've not contacted you before now. Actually, when Sally was talking about what you are going through, as once in a while she briefly did, she never said "Pam". She only refered to you as "my sister in law". I never allowed it to click that it could be YOU! That being said, You are in our prayers for the things you are going through.
Please, Pam continue to look forward to getting to Alberton so that we can take another fine river trip - your choice!
Not quite ready yet - as it did snow today and more predicted for tomorrow (I've got to contact someone to find out what happened to June).
Here's me giving a hug to you and your family - yes, even Ron!
Love,
Leah D.
Post a Comment