We are in full on “Yea God” mode around here. We went to Barnes in STL for our bone marrow transplant consultation fully prepared for what this next step in the journey would look like. We did research and found that it would typically mean she would have to stay in STL for around 100 days which would be hard on her, the kids, etc. But, we were matter of fact that if that’s what it took for her to get well, then we were all in.
Well, we got up at 0 dark 30 and headed down for our 8 am lab work. At 9 we met the doc. 5 min into the conversation I made reference to her siblings and matching bone marrow and the doc looked at us and said, “Oh, you don’t need a transplant. I am fully confident that if you come down here for your 4 chemo consolidations (4 stays, 4 days each spread over 2 months) then at the end of the 2 months you will close the door of this chapter of your life and be cured.” (Mouths dropped open) And then he said, for emphasis, “I’m not talking about remission, I mean CURED!” At that point I started peppering him with questions. And every response was wonderful. Bottom-line: this doc specializes in AML, not just leukemia, but H’s particular type. All he’s done for 20 years is research, speak, write, and teach about, and treat people with, AML! Now, he did say that he won’t be completely sure until he gets the results of the latest genetics testing on the bone marrow biopsy we did in his office later that day, but, barring something that he’s not expecting, he is saying that the transplant is highly unnecessary right now and fully expects the final courses of chemo to cure H. AMAZING!! So, next Thurs eve H will head to STL to start her 1st round of consolidation first thing Fri. God is good!
Keep praying that nothing will show up in this last biopsy and that H will tolerate this next round better than the 1st. 🙂 We are full of gratitude!
PS – my wife is sweet, but VERY weird on Demerol.