Blasted!

Day 18 of treatment. Today they took a sample of bone marrow for testing. A few weeks ago, this is how they determined that Caleb has ALL. A few weeks ago, they found immature white blood cells, called Blasts, in his bone marrow. They began treatment that continues today. Today, they took a sample of bone marrow for testing. This afternoon our doctor came running, yes running, down the hall to tell me good news. Today, they found NO BLASTS in his bone marrow. Hallelujah! This is incredible and wonderful and I can't really find words. Praise God, and thank you for your prayers for this very thing.

What does no blasts mean? It means that the chemo treatments and the steroids that Caleb has been taking since June 24 are doing what they're supposed to do. The meds are reducing the production of blasts. It means that so far, Caleb's leukemia continues to follow a standard path, and we're on the right path of treatment. There are many cases of leukemia where today's test would still indicate the presence of blasts; we recognize what a gift this is for us today. No blasts means we're doing the right thing.

What does no blasts not mean (try that double negative)? We are not done. Because we're doing the right thing, we will continue with this path for our 2 years and 32 days. There are still many more chemo drugs to take, and side effects to control, and fevers to avoid/treat. We will still spend a lot of time here at the hospital, hopefully mostly outpatient, but many days as inpatient as well. It is still a long road.

It is a great relief to know that despite this hard time with Caleb's fever and being hospitalized, the extra pokes he's needed because of extra blood testing because of the fever, and not being home, we are doing the right thing. We are fully reminded that we are in God's hands and he answers prayers.

Right now, it's 10 pm. Caleb is sleeping. I finally figured out that if you hang a blanket over the door just right, you can block the light coming in and still have the door fully closed. It's almost dark and quiet in here. I'm going to sleep soon too. I hope it's a good night for all of us.