Jake's Report on 5/12 visit

Here's Jake's report on today's visit at CHOC.

Leukemia Update:

The Bone Marrow Biopsy done on Monday showed that after his first month of cancer treatment (Induction), the measurement of residual cancer cells decreased from 3% to 2.1% (since day 8 of treatment). We would be much happier with a lower number, but it is good to know that there was a decrease so there is definitely progress. His body is responding to the Chemotherapy treatments, just not to the degree that is needed to enter certain treatment phases down the road without risk of relapse. Fortunately, Dempsey's genetic profile is favorable to the treatment he's receiving. These two factors place Dempsey in the "High Risk" treatment plan (not the "Average Risk" we were hoping for, but better than the "Very High Risk"). The doctor instilled in us that there is still a lot of hope for full/complete recovery/cure. Sometimes kids are just "late bloomers" for reaching the lower number, and affectively being in remission.

The next phase of treatment (Consolidation, lasting 2 months) should begin this coming Monday, as long as his blood levels are good. Consolidation treatment is more intense than the previous phase, with many daily visits to the Infusion center and we're likely to see hair loss and other side effects to the chemo.This first round will be a full day at the Out Patient Infusion (OPI) center, including a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal tap) and many hours of hydration to go with the Chemo. There will be a Bone Marrow biopsy at the end of Consolidation, at which point we hope and pray his MRD (Minimal Residual Disease) number is less than 0.01%, at which point Dempsey would move on to the next phase of treatment (Interim Maintenance, which will include some hospital stays). 

Ear/Mastoid Infection:

Some more encouraging news was that the preliminary report from Dempsey's MRI on Tuesday showed continued decrease in the mastoiditis (infection behind ears) with no swelling seen. This is great to know that this serious infection that started us on this journey is continuing it's journey out the door. This report should be fleshed out for us a little more next week with an Infection Disease appointment, and an Ear/Nose/Throat appointment later this month.

Coral and I are still processing this news, the roller coaster of ups and downs, knowing that things are improving but not the "perfect" that we pray for. Dempsey's hanging in there. He's off of steroids for the time being so we're expecting the chimpmunk cheeks and preggers-belly to start fading away.

Since I don't post much here I'll add my words of "thanks" to Coral's and say that we are so blessed to have so much love thrown our way. Thank you all!

Stay tuned for Coral's take….