"Not quite ready" ...

Good morning,

A quick update ...

As the doctor predicted, Dane's neutrophyl count was not quite high enough to start the next month of his consolidation treatment. He needed a count of .75 and his was .57 yesterday. His platelets were 490 (normal is 100 - 500), the highest they have been since he was diagnosed. We can visually tell they are good - his lips are super rosy these days! His hemoglobin was also up considerably from last week (a jump from 72 to 87) and it shows in his energy level and attitude. We had to have a serious "adjustment" yesterday, because this mom was at the end of her patience with his demands and not so diligent listening. He woke up much more pleasant this morning - a welcome change. We'll see how long it lasts because in a few minutes it is homework time.

We experienced a story of redemption yesterday, as much to Dane's dismay, the lab tech that botched his finger poke a few weeks ago was assigned to the clinic. She remembered us and Dane definitely remembered her. After a minute or so of panic and tears welling in his eyes, he calmed down for the blood collection. She recalled he counts to three before she starts and this time she waited - thank goodness! He only shed a couple of tears at the initial poke and then he was very composed. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was over.

Although we would have all liked to have kept going yesterday (Dane included), we were anticipating the result we received and thus were emotionally prepared. Although I don't like it

when he gets pokes or medicines, I seem to feel better when I know he's being treated and the leukemia cells destroyed. Having a week or two without any medicines now feels "abnormal" - it's amazing how quickly you adjust to a new norm. We know though that it's in his best interest to wait until the counts are high enough so we will look at this next week as a R&R week.

No other news to report. We now wait until next Tuesday for another blood test and very likely, the beginning of the next round. In the meantime he will be going to school daily and hopefully getting some exercise when the -30 temps disappear.

Take care ... Janie and Dirk