Day 18 of Lochlan’s battle with Leukemia was bitter sweet. We had an early appointment for bloodwork, and were praying for zero blasts so we could finally come home. And those prayers were answered 🙌 However, the genetic testing of the cancer cells from his bone marrow aspiration came back and unfortunately they reclassified his risk from standard risk (with prognosis of over 90%), to high risk (with prognosis of 70%) 😞. So that means our entire treatment plan changes and instead of a straight and narrow path to the finish line, we have a much bumpier windier road. Instead of two years of treatments we’ll now do three.
They also are suggesting that Lochlan choose to do a newly approved targeted therapy that will hunt down and kill just cancer cells rather than just the traditional chemo. With the new targeted therapy drug it increases the prognosis from 70% to 77%. The only issue with it is that it is a continuous infusion so we’d have to stay within an hour of the hospital for two entire 28 day periods (one in November and one in February). Which means more time separated as a family, and more time away from our home.
It’s definitely nice to be home but with the dark cloud of the new level of risk and prognosis is kind of overshadowing things today. But I will never forget the joy in his voice as we were driving down the driveway and he said “We’re home! We did it, Mom! We did it!” And then the sobs when he saw Mitch on the front step and he wailed “Daaadddddyyyy”.
I was thankful to finally spend time with Luke. We went for a big walk back into our favourite place, and the smells were absolutely incredible. He picked me wild blackberries, raspberries and blueberries and they were therapy in and of themselves.
Tonight I’m still sleeping beside Lochlan (his request), but we’re in his room, in his bed. Thank the Lord. Take each day one little step at a time.
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