Test Results

I’ll begin this post with the same wording that Dr. Miller began his discussion with us earlier: Its good news, with qualifiers.

It looks as though she has entered remission!! To be considered remission her blast count has to be between 2% and 5%. She’s at 4%. We’re still waiting on the results that tell us for sure if they’re looking at cancer cells (with CD34 markers) or just immature neutrophils. Her ANC (absolute neutrophil count) has been zero for week and weeks. Today her numbers reflected an ANC of 0.1, or 100. Since all of her blasts or neutrophils are newly established they’re hard to differentiate from the cancer blasts. So when that test comes back they’ll be sure that what they’re saying is true. In a week or two the results from another bone marrow biopsy will make them really, really sure. By then the currently immature neutrophils will be established and mature, making it easier to tell the good from the bad. But ultimately it’s good news either way.

Once her ANC reaches 0.5 (most likely by the end of next week) she’ll be able to come home for a while. In the meantime, even just a small number of neutrophils will better give her system the strength it needs to fight off the infections and ailments that have caused her so much grief for the last month. At that point her body will be much better prepared to handle the onslaught of bad that the bone marrow transplant process will provide.  

It’s not a cure, but it’s a huge step in the right direction. Also, with each chemotherapy or induction given, the chances for a full recovery are drastically reduced. To have reached this point now, rather than after another chemo session or two, bodes well on her prospects for the future and potential cure.

Based on the results from the second biopsy, I wasn’t exactly expecting bad news today, but was bracing for it. Her blast count went from 70% to 46%, a drop of only 24%. And though they tweaked the recipe and dosage on the second time around, the way her body handled the first round, it didn’t seem likely that another 42% drop was plausible.

Hallelujah!!! It’s so wonderful to give you good news! God bless the wonderful minds at the U of M Medical Center. Thank all of you for the prayers, positive thoughts, notions, and actions. All of that coupled with her determination to get well again, I believe, makes all the difference in the world.

Despite the imminent battle ahead, the future is looking brighter than it has for quite a while.

Thanks for following along with us!

-Zach