Hmmm.... How do I do this without coming right out and telling you? So I will. Here goes...
John's cancer is not back. And he doesn't need a second bone marrow transplant. Yes, that's right. He is cancer free!
Let me tell you what happened. Yesterday at the appointment with his hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Claxton, John was told that the last test he had been given had resulted in a false positive.
Dr. Claxton came in the room all beaming positive, and excited. John and I were confused, and then he announced the news. John almost fell out of his chair. We were both in shock. We were happy, ecstatic, but in shock, LOL. It's like going from death to life.
Anyway, what happened was this. When the first test (a bone marrow biopsy) was taken three weeks ago, John was given a drug called Neupogen to stimulate white blood cells to keep his immune system up, right before the test. This effected the test and produced a false positive.
Dr. Claxton is positive it is a false positive and that the bone marrow cancer is not back. There is a reason for this. There were two other tests done at the same time as the biopsy. One was something called a Mixed Chimerism test. In that test it was determined how much of John's cells were his, and how much were cells he got from his donor (during the transplant). The test showed John is 100% donor!
The next test was taken to see how much chromosomal damage John had. When he had the bone marrow cancer before his bone marrow transplant, he had major chromosomal damage, which indicated severe bone marrow cancer. When he had this final test taken three weeks ago, a sample was sent to the MAYO Clinic. It was determined by them that John NO LONGER has chromosomal damage! Thus, no bone marrow cancer!
So they are sure the cancer is gone!
John does still have the Hemolytic Anemia, which he does require red blood cell transfusions for, but we will take that one day at a time. What the treatment will be, whether chemo or spleenectomy, we will see. Right now we are just rejoicing over the fact that the cancer is gone. He also only has 25 - 30% kidney function, but he can live on that for now.
So God is good. And you all are too. Thank you for your prayers. And thank you for everything.
I told you you would shout, LOL!
Love you all, Krissy :)
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