Andrew was diagnosed with Erythroid (M6) Acute Myeloid Leukemia on November 4th, 2010 when he was almost 5 months old. Andrew is currently in remission from his cancer, after finishing his 5 rounds of chemotherapy. He is a healthy, happy toddler.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

We have an ANC!

It's been a week since they sent us home, and we're still here! It's great being home, and I'm so glad they didn't make us wait until he had an ANC(absolute neutrophil count), because we would still be in that little room at Primary's... They had scheduled an LP (lumbar puncture) and a bone marrow aspirate for today, but since he had no ANC on Monday and a pithy ANC of 100 today, they have bumped the surgeries until next Thursday. This means that we'll be admitted at the earliest on the 20th of December for his second round of chemo.

I know it sounds crazy, but I really wanted to have his surgeries today for two reasons--one, that prognosis is better when chemo regimens are spaced closer together, and secondly, because I really really really want to know if he's in remission. If he's in remission, it is unlikely he'll need a bone marrow transplant and all the complications that come along with it. We'll be hoping and praying that's the case.

In the meantime, we've felt a bit hypocritical by telling sick people and little kids to keep their distance while Stew and I have both gotten a pretty nasty cold. Andrew seems just fine, though. Stew has a whole heck of a lot of schoolwork to catch up on (2 finals and a huge paper), and even though we've been sick, we're just so happy to be home.

5 comments:

  1. I am excited to see an update on Andrew! We miss you here in ICS, but we're so happy you're home enjoying that time (even though you were sick). Don't feel hypocritical AT ALL. You are totally allowed to put a sign on the door saying sick visitors are not allowed, even if you're sick yourself. I hope you get feeling better.

    I can't believe his ANC is 100 today. I hope it comes up soon. The waiting time is so hard. It's so frustrating to wait for results and procedures. Good luck! We're praying for our little cancer friends.

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  2. There's no place like home!! Glad to hear that you are enjoying your time together at home--even though you're both sick! Things definitely aren't the same up here without you, but we are so happy you got to "break out."

    Andrew still looks so happy and content. What a cute little guy! I got to visit for a minute with Lizzie's Aunt Anita the other night. I told her how glad we are that we have gotten to know your family, We pray for you every day and we're hoping for great results from your bone marrow aspirate.
    --Marie, Frost, & Rachel

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  3. i love these top o the head shots! some of my favorites of all babies are these!
    apparently he has found his feet. lily just did the other day-they are such characters huh?

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  4. He looks so cute and happy. Is there anything you guys need for the surgery. I'm coming up on Thursday to pick up my sister from the airport is there anything you need, I can do. Let me know.

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  5. :) So glad you're home. We got home on the 8th and it almost feels like the last couple weeks were just a really bad nightmare, until I see the bruises and holes on Charlotte from the IVs and PICC and subclavian central lines. It's so surreal living in the hospital like that. The fact that you have been there so much longer than we were is mind boggling. I hope you can enjoy the next week in your own space.

    Do something Christmassy!

    *H*

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