Travis Update 2/10/02
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| "Philadephia Negative!" Travis Update 2/10/02 |
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| Dear everyone, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| FANTASTIC news - got a voicemail from the hospital on Friday evening (I've been out of town for an NMDP board meeting) declaring that the results from Travis' BCR ABL re-test came out NEGATIVE!�� I don't know any other details, just this most important wonderful news. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| This means, the re-test did not detect presence of the Philadelphia Chromosome. YAHOO! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thank you, thank you, Lynette, for calling with this news so we could know the results as soon as possible. I knew immediately from the tone in your voice that you were passing along good news.� (-: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| And thank you, everyone at CHW for getting the results back so quickly.� We appreciate this more than you can imagine.� 21 days of uncertainty was feeling like an eternity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was just stunned listening to the voicemail message. SO relieved, so grateful and positively joyous at this news.� And I was halfway across the country! All I wanted to do was to squeeze those boys with all my heart.� When I called Joe back at home, I could hear the great relief in his voice, as well, although the boys were right there, so he couldn't make a huge deal out of it at the time.� And when I told the boys that all Travis' tests came out with good results, they basically said "Great!" and the proceeded to move into a vivid description of their fast food dinner.� Didn't skip a beat!�� Kids - God love 'em!� Actually, I think more's been going on with Travis than just his casual response.� We'll have a cuddle chat tonight. Regardless, I know he feels relieved each time we get tests results back with good news. Even this time, when he didn't truly know the stakes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| I didn't have my laptop with me or phone numbers, so I apologize for the delay in getting the word out - just got back home today.�� Strange how this scare is now behind us, though the residual exhaustion from fighting off the fear remains.� Over this last 2 weeks, many parents told me of their various scare (or actual setback) experiences - and how they, too, felt right back in the "war zone" with just the words of a test result on their children.�� This journey goes on and on... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| So here we are, celebrating our own Olympic victory - cancer-free after all.� Thank you for keeping Travis and our family in your hearts and prayers.� It's made all the difference in the world to us.�� We pray that Travis remains cancer free forever more - and that the scary days are behind us. If not, maybe there will be some lesson in how we deal with this roller coaster swoop again if "the monster" rears its ugly head any time in the future.� Though I'd prefer to not test that out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| On another note, on the eye stuff, Travis' retinas showed no macular swelling (no problems) - so we don't know what's causing the eyesight challenges.� The latest recommendation is that Travis' cataract doctor is having him wear an eye patch over his good eye for an hour each day (ohhhh, Travis REALLY doesn't like this) to try to strengthen the weaker eye.� Insignificant in the scheme of things, but a real nuisance to a 9 year-old. Thank you very much - I'll take an eye patch over cancer fears any day. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thank you for the prayers, everyone.� You can imagine that our hugs are extra strong with these kids tonight.� As I got home from the red-eye flight before sunup this am - I hugged them and hugged them - while they slept peacefully.�� WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.�� (-: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Love, hugs, hope, gratitude and RELIEF, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melanie | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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