17th Day of Induction: 11/11/12

Last Thursday Jesse had his spinal tap & chemo injection.  The results came back with leukemia still in his spinal fluid, not higher but still 1%.  Hopefully, on Monday the results will be 0%.  They will continue to repeat this procedure until the results are negative-0% two times in a row.

Current leukemia levels in the:  peripheral blood 0%, spinal fluid 1%, bone marrow ?

November 23rd (28th Day of Induction) is the projected bone marrow biopsy. 

For the last week Jesse has remained in his bed very weak and unable to keep food down.  He is suffering from severe heartburn/chest and abdominal pain which are due to low white blood cells and a condition called Esophagitis.  The esophagus is a muscular tube leading from the back of the throat into the stomach.  Esophagitis is an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus.  The doctors think Jesse’s inner lining (mucosa) of the tube is extremely irritated with possible ulcers.  He will continue to be given nutrition and medications through his IV as we wait for his white blood cell count and platelets to recover.

Jesse’s poor body has now endured 6 rounds of chemotherapy since December 2011.  He has suffered from neurological damage, managed to relearn basic physical activities like talking and self hygiene and he has overcome many limitations like maneuvering a wheelchair or even walking with a walker.  He has been in and out of Remission several times which is physically and mentally challenging… Jesse is now quite exhausted. 

Scott and I have been watching Jesse, hour by hour, day by day, and see how much he is suffering.  We do not know what Jesse’s future holds but we are trusting in the Lord’s plan.  Jesse is afraid but we are reassuring him that no matter what happens, this is not the end of the story!  Heaven is for real…

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4