Right on Track

The results are in from our Hero's "Day 28 tests that were run last week. Here are the details for you in easy, USA Today bullet point format:

• Bone marrow tests indicated less than 1% or no remaining leukemia cells. A result that has been echoed by his spinals. NICE!
• The MRD (centrifuge like machine that spins the cells) came back negative when tested for the illness. YES!
• Blood work all looks good Hematocrit remains solid at 30.9, platelet count at 149, WBC at 5.5 and his ANC remains good at 2585 (well above the 500 that is the risk area.) HOORAY!

Bottom line - our Hero is right where they want him to be at this point in his treatment. He continues to attack his treatment with courage and determination and his hard work along with all the prayers have been getting rewarded with his rapid response, limited side effects and the means by which to handle the side effects and and/or when they do arise. Still a lot of work to be done but Team Taylor is very thankful and wants to keep it rolling!

This week marked the start of the "Consolidation" phase of Joe's treatment and it kicked off with a Spinal Methotrexate sedation that was done yesterday. As we've all come to learn, sedation treatments = fasting which usually = an angry, hungry JoJo. But luckily Team Taylor is starting to see some of the benefits of the decrease in steroids and the hunger wasn't quite as bad as it has been in the past. Mainly what was seen was Joseph was a bit sad he had to go back again - because "he feels better." Although a little tough to understand, it's an explanation and "side effect" that is gladly explained. But Joe is getting used to it too and although still not a big fan of it and let's people know he'd really rather be home giggling, playing Xbox on his beanbag, he does understand he needs to let people do their job. What a guy!

After a few weeks of intensive research, lots of guidance (thanks to all who helped with this,) emotional charged discussions and tons of prayer - Team Taylor has reached consensus on the roughest decision they've ever had to reach - Joe will be entering the study. All have been assured that at no point will Joe ever receive less than the current standard treatment plan but he may at times be receiving more as the goal of the study is to explore\prove the the increasing of the treatment can more quickly narrow the gap of recovery and increase the cure rate while reducing the recurrence rate. (Which currently sits at 85% cure and 15% recurrence.) So in many ways, JoJo will not only be beating the illness for us, he'll be beating it for everyone's children and their children's children. Wow, ummm, what did YOU do today? Hero may be getting to be too small a word here.

As far as the study goes, Joe will be in "Intensified Consolidation" which begins today and then for the "Interim Maintenance" and "Delayed Intensification" he will return to the standard protocol. Team Taylor thinks this was a great draw for Joe. He will be admitted today for a treatment while being hydrated, then flushed and released early tonight. He will return another four times for daily "IV pushes." This goes on and on for a 57 day span.

Team Taylor wants to take a breath and just wanted to thank everyone... for everything...

Now, on to phase two so keep the prayers and good thoughts for a healthy Joe and no side effects. Stay Tuned!