We had another great clinic visit today! Alex's counts were where they expected them to be, AND the doctors have contacted surgery to remove his Hickman line! In a few weeks, he will have those pesky tubes removed from his body, and another potential source of infection will be removed from the equation.
The doctors gave us a taper schedule for Alex's Tacrolimus, and said that as soon as the Hickman is out, and he is on the next taper down (starting next week), he can GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!
Wow, just wow - this is amazing news. Alex is excited and nervous about re-entry into school, as are his parents. This road has been so tough, and the isolation so hard, that the thought that we may be coming to the end of this treatment is surreal.
We were still on a "high" from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society "Mini Light the Night Walk" that was so generously put together for Alex the night before (pictures, and a separate post to follow tomorrow). So, this news was just the icing on the cake!
My heart is so full right now - my hope for a full recovery for our amazing warrior has not been this high in quite a while. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is getting brighter!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Great Progress - Day +119
We had a great visit at the clinic today. Alex's results from his bone marrow aspiration and blood draws all show no evidence of leukemic cells, and over 98% donor cells!!!
This is tremendous - it is fantastic! Alex has made it past 100 days without having to be hospitalized. He has made it past day 100 without needing an antibody transfusion. Both of those things are almost a given with transplant patients.
Alex is strong. His energy level is great. He is eating normally. Now, if I can only get him to drink more (ugh).
The doctors are very happy with his progress, and are even talking about taking out his Hickman line in a few weeks! The benefits of having it (easy blood draws and iv hookup), are reducing compared to the risk of leaving it in (point of possible infection). Alex was such a trooper about getting poked in the arm for blood draws after he completed his lymphoma treatment. I know he would do just fine this time too. Plus, the phlebotomists at Doerenbecher are amazing and so quick; they make things as painless as possible.
The doctors are continuing to reduce his Tacrolimus level (the anti-rejection medication), and consequently, we are able to start reducing the number of magnesium horse pills taken each day as well! His Septra (preventative for a specific pneumonia strain) will continue on the weekends until 3 months after we stop the Tacrolimus. The Acyclovir (preventative anti-viral) will continue until one year post tarnasplant.
If Alex tolerates this reduction in his Tacrolimus level and continues on the path he is on right now, he may be able to go back to school in March! He has been doing really well with his tutor here at the house. While I know the transition back to the classroom will be emotionally difficult (shyness); his academic skills will place him on track with his peers.
His hair is really growing back quickly, and any puffiness left from treatment is gone. He continues to grow taller by the minute, and I am just stunned that we will be celebrating his seventh birthday in April.
I know Alex is going to make a full recovery, and with few long term side effects. He is an amazing Warrior, and I am so proud of him!
This is tremendous - it is fantastic! Alex has made it past 100 days without having to be hospitalized. He has made it past day 100 without needing an antibody transfusion. Both of those things are almost a given with transplant patients.
Alex is strong. His energy level is great. He is eating normally. Now, if I can only get him to drink more (ugh).
The doctors are very happy with his progress, and are even talking about taking out his Hickman line in a few weeks! The benefits of having it (easy blood draws and iv hookup), are reducing compared to the risk of leaving it in (point of possible infection). Alex was such a trooper about getting poked in the arm for blood draws after he completed his lymphoma treatment. I know he would do just fine this time too. Plus, the phlebotomists at Doerenbecher are amazing and so quick; they make things as painless as possible.
The doctors are continuing to reduce his Tacrolimus level (the anti-rejection medication), and consequently, we are able to start reducing the number of magnesium horse pills taken each day as well! His Septra (preventative for a specific pneumonia strain) will continue on the weekends until 3 months after we stop the Tacrolimus. The Acyclovir (preventative anti-viral) will continue until one year post tarnasplant.
If Alex tolerates this reduction in his Tacrolimus level and continues on the path he is on right now, he may be able to go back to school in March! He has been doing really well with his tutor here at the house. While I know the transition back to the classroom will be emotionally difficult (shyness); his academic skills will place him on track with his peers.
His hair is really growing back quickly, and any puffiness left from treatment is gone. He continues to grow taller by the minute, and I am just stunned that we will be celebrating his seventh birthday in April.
I know Alex is going to make a full recovery, and with few long term side effects. He is an amazing Warrior, and I am so proud of him!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
