It is sometimes easy to forget that through all the medications, side effects, change of diet, changes in our work arrangements (etc etc etc) there is a very simple outcome which is targeted. A complete removal of cancer cells being produced by Selina's bone marrow.
Today we received the results of her third bone marrow test (the first established she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the second that the initial round of treatment had brought the residual disease down below a key 1% level). The third test has a more aggressive target of less than 0.01% residual disease. Those above become classified 'intermediate risk', those below remain 'low risk'. The wonderful news today is that she is under 0.01%.
This is certainly not the end of the treatment, for it continues for another 2 years. It means she can continue on the protocol the doctors expected/hoped she could be on and not have to repeat cycles to try to eliminate the cells. It is reassuring and significant in terms of her likely long-term cure from cancer.
An answer to prayer, as also has been the absence of uncomfortable side effects so far.
If you are interested in some more detail on the stages, this site is quite helpful.
No comments:
Post a Comment