Second Chances!

It is much more exciting to write a blog entry when you have good news to proclaim! We just received the results of the bone marrow biopsy and there is NO leukemia in her body. Praise the Lord! And to add to the good news, my mom's body has totally engrafted to the transplant ... meaning that the new and improved bone marrow (a.k.a. Aunt Cindy) is producing healthy marrow on its own. Can I get a Hallelujah?!??!?!?! Hallelujah! :)

The doctors told her that on day 60 she would be able to eat out at restaurants and could leave town for short periods of time (before day 60 she wasn't allowed to be more than 30 minutes away from the hospital). So, what did she do? As soon as she turned 60 days old we celebrated by going out to dinner, and then she left me in the dust and took off for the coast! ;) She is currently at the beach with my dad and enjoying every second of this new hope.

And now to get technical for those who like the medical explanation of things... The doctors look at both the lymphoid line (lymphocytes) as well as the mycloid line (neutraphils) when assessing what percentage of the donor is in my mom. She is 100% donor in the mycloid line (which supposedly is the most important because the neutraphils are what fight infection), and she is 46% donor in the lymphoid line (immune function). As long as the neutraphils are 100% donor the lymphocyte percentage will only increase. That's the best explanation I can give - forgive me if this is unclear. If it is, then just disregard this paragraph and walk away knowing that my mom is in REMISSION and FREE FROM LEUKEMIA at this point in time. ;)

It seems unfair that not everyone gets second chances. The reality is that we all (most likely) have one shot at this crazy thing we call life ... and doesn't that make you want to live and love fiercely?! It does for me...

"What's next?", you might ask. Well, she only has to go to clinic at OHSU once a week from here on out until her next bone marrow biopsy on Day 84 (today is day 63). So, until I know more, expect that no news is good news!

Thank you for praying and rejoicing with us through this crazy journey - I hope you are all more than well!

XOXO