Derek is doing so well it is almost too good to be true. For those interested in his CBC numbers from yesterday, here they are. WBC=2.7, ANC=1800, Hgb=10.7, Plts=172. He received two chemo drugs yesterday but has had no side effects from them at all so far, not even nausea. We have not had to give him any anti-nausea meds this time. His appetite has not decreased at all this round, and he is eating like a very hungry horse. He even asked for seconds on cooked cabbage today. (Now before all you moms start wishing you could put your kids on chemo just so they would eat their vegies, let me tell you there are probably much better ways to accomplish that goal.) The pain in his legs only lasted that one night, which was plenty long, but it did end. It is a side effect of one of the chemo drugs and seems to hit him the worst about a week after treatment. So next week about this time, it may be back, and it has gotten progressively worse each time. He did not have a bone marrow test yesterday as I had expected. It is scheduled for this coming Monday along with another spinal tap.
After those tests and a CT scan this week, they will decide what the next six months’ treatment protocol will be, and we will be finished with phase one of treatment called Induction.
Has it been a month already? In some ways it seems like an eternity, and in other ways, the time has flown. For now, the important thing is that Derek is responding well to treatment, and for that we are so thankful. God has been with us so far, and we know He will remain. Thank you all for your prayers.
