REMISSION...most likely

The preliminary results of Alex's bone marrow biopsy are in - again, these are the "preliminary" results, so further study could change things. However, Alex's oncology team is quite confident in these results.

Alex is in REMISSION, with only 3-4% leukemic cells in his marrow. Anything under 5% is considered remission. So, if the further testing increases the leukemic cell concentration to over 5%, we would not be in remission, and would do a secondary "induction" phase.

BUT, since we are in remission as of the tests we have right now, we are moving forward with the next phase, "consolidation". This is EXACTLY the same as the lymphoma treatment, so we have seen it all before. The only difference is that there is a chance Alex could have his PEG Asparaginase through an IV instead of as two simultaneous shots in his legs.

So, no chemo the rest of this week, as we let his ANC rise to 750 - it was only 66 today. We will continue with "consolidation" while Alex's marrow/cord blood options are investigated further. Once we have narrowed down the field, we will meet with the transplant team, and start figuring out the transplant schedule. Most likely, mid-August to September.

Alex hasn't eaten anything all day, and has slept most of the day away...after 16 days of not leaving this room, I would try and sleep as much as I could too.

Also, the doctors ordered a chest x-ray tomorrow morning, which means, hopefully they will put Alex's chest tube on seal again, and then if his lung stays inflated, they will pull it out tomorrow. At this point though, I'll believe it when I see it...