February 2

SD has begun his third phase of treatment!

After the trouble SD had getting on the 6-MP, we were not counting on wonderful numbers after a week on the full dose. Dr. Kurt told us that his ANC needed to be 750 in order to start Interim Maintenance I yesterday; that sounded like a reachable number, so we remained hopeful. We certainly did not expect his counts to be in the normal range - but they were! This is good news for a few reasons. Apart from the obvious reasons, we are relieved to see them so high at the beginning of this phase because his chemo will be increased with each dose, as long as his counts can support it. Going into this with high numbers gives him a better chance of handling the chemo longer than if they had been low yesterday.

While we were at the clinic, SD not only walked by himself, but also was pushing his own IV stand around!

SD has been doing well taking his meds at home, for the most part. Being in IM means one fewer medication he has to take at home every day, however, which is nice for all of us. The chemo he is receiving in Grand Rapids will be administered approximately every ten days. That gives us another break from traveling next week; SD's next appointment is scheduled for Monday, February 13.