The Plan

Hi there, thanks for checking in.  We have had quite a busy last couple weeks so I'm a little behind on updating the blog.  Mom is doing great and all of her counts have recovered so well.  Unfortunately my Grandma (Mary's mom), Grandma Emily, passed away last week.  She lived an incredible life to age 93 and had 8 kids, 32 grandchildren, and 43 (?) great grandchildren!  Mom and Sue took turns visiting her every day and Mom's brothers would visit her as often as they could.  It was definitely a blessing that Mom could be home from the hospital when Grandma Emily got toward the end of her life.  She spent a lot of quality time at the nursing home and supported her mom until the end.  We know now that Grandma Emily is dancing in Heaven with her savior, Jesus!

This week Mom has to begin thinking about her own health again.  She had a bone marrow biopsy last week and a follow up appointment today.  Doctor Jessica was SO happy with how great Mom's biopsy looked!  Yay!  We knew Mom would receive more chemo treatments in the future, even with her still in remission.  Jessica wants to give Mom another full dose of the clinical study chemo (that she had in December) to give Mom's blood more fighting power to prevent future leukemia from showing up.  Jessica wants to do everything she can do to keep the cancer gone for good.  We're thankful that she cares about Mom so much and that she's so knowledgeable to take the extra precautions necessary.

Mom will head back into the hospital on Monday and have 5 days of 24 hour chemo.  Because she is healthy now and has no cancer showing, the chemo will not effect her nearly as bad as it did in December.  Her blood counts will go down again and she will need to be cautious around people for the weeks until her counts recover again.  She will be able to go home on day 6, next Saturday, and remain at home unless she needs infusions or any extra help that they are not anticipating.  She will have home health care come to her house to take her blood and make sure all her vitals are good.

Mom is a little bummed she has to stay in the hospital all next week but trusts that Jessica knows what's best.  She's never been through a full dose of chemo while she's healthy and been sent home, so there are some unknowns there.  Mom has lots of support, prayers, and love coming her way constantly so we know she'll do great through this next step.  If you could, please keep her in your prayers.  We'll update you on how things are going along the way.

Love to you all!