The Latest

So very sorry to have been so silent here on the blog. Greg, Joy and James returned home late Sunday night with the knowledge that it would be safe to wait on a transfusion until Monday's scheduled time. This meant getting home after 11pm on Sunday and being gone from the house before 7am Monday, making it a long day with the transfusion and the clinic appointment at MDA. They did not return home til after 4:30 on Monday. I decided not to add my phone call to their already lengthy day. It was not until Tuesday that I spoke with them and that they received a call from MDA to let them know of a tiny change in the plan of action. At James' next appointment which was moved from Friday to Thursday, he will have to have another BMA. This past Friday, they got enough marrow to tell that there was only 5% blast cells there, but not enough to do a broader spectrum analysis and actually declare that he is in "remission". The results of that BMA won't be in until Monday the 30th.

1. So at the top of our prayer list is that on Monday we hear the word Remission.
2. Another huge request is that they are able to get enough marrow to make the determination.


3. In addition to those things, please pray for James as he has to fast from midnight Wednesday until the procedure is over on Thursday. Pray they get into their appointment on time with no delays. He has an early appointment time scheduled, it is just a matter of how things are moving along.
4. And continue to pray fervently against fever or infection.

Whether or not James is able to be considered in remission will determine the course of the treatment from this point. The induction phase of treatment is currently planned to last 30 days, but if I understand clearly, could be extended if he is not found to be in remission. They have been able to identify the subtype of James A.L.L. as B cell, which is the most common subtype. (a good thing as far as treatment is concerned)

Today was a better day in their home as all of the medicine has gotten down rather uneventfully since that bad night Saturday. (thank you for praying) It is a good thing that is going better since they have added a few more oral meds to administer at home. One is an antibiotic he will remain on for the duration of his treatment, and one is for acid reflux. Joy also routinely saw her OB-GYN and everything seems to be going along fine for her and Adrianne. Pray for a continued healthy, and full term pregnancy. As always, we are indebted to you for your persistent visits with the Father on their behalf! Prayer is a very powerful thing! Praise Him for the little answers along the way, and please keep petitioning Him as well!