CR2

Over the last few weeks, Erica has had 7 spinal taps, the 5th and 6th spinal taps were both negative for leukemia cells in the spinal fluid (we are waiting on the official results of the 7th, but preliminary results show neg.) which means that we can officially call it remission. This is also known as CR2(complete remission 2).

Also during these past few weeks, we have been counting down the days,
desperately wanting this cycle of steroids to be over! As of today, we have
11 more days! This is a new steroid for Erica and it is brutal, besides all of
the behavioral effects, Erica has gained 2 pounds in the last two weeks and
it is all in her belly. This has come on so fast that she has regressed in her
ability to walk and even crawl . . . she is just so uncomfortable that it is hard
tomove!  So, at this time, she just prefers to be carried and hugged . . .
whichwe can do.

We met with the Radiology Oncologist on November 2nd. While we had been
warned that it would be a tough discussion (and it was) . . . it was also a
plan and it was also more information which helped to fill in the blanks
between now and the time of transplant. Erica will undergo 8 days of
radiation, totaling 12treatments. Four of the days are once daily cranial
radiation and four of the days are "double days", in which she will undergo
total body irradiation (TBI)twice per day. This is a better treatment for
Erica because "hyperfractionated radiation therapy" has less long term
adverse effects. The other bit of unexpected news was that, because Erica
quickly returned to remission, she will not need to have spinal radiation.
This is great because the issue of stunted bone growth is almost nil.

We are still able to do this "induction" period at home, going in twice per
week for chemo/appointments/etc. We should get the new chemo schedule
for the next phase, "consolidation" next week. I am not sure if any of that
treatment will need to be done "in-house" (pro term for in-patient hospitalization)
(and yes, we are "pros"). We'll continue to keep you posted and you continue to
pray!!!

Thanks again for all of your love and support! We are forever grateful!