Test Day

To no one's surprise our Hero continues to be baffled by the seemingly arbitrary times in which people refuse to allow him to eat. Yesterday he was on food lockdown in preparation for his treatment and tests and made no secret of the fact that it did not please him and it was not fair. Can't blame him. Although a majority of the morning was spent wearing a hunger induced scowl, it was briefly lifted when Aunt Kristi came for a visit with the new "Lego Star Wars" game for the Xbox. Boys and their toys.

It was off to the hospital at noon for the days events, starting with the labs. Everyone agrees it's great to be accessed in order to prevent the 'poking' and 'touching.' Joe, establishing his personal space, shared a new request with many of the folks who needed to work with him, "You need to ask me if you touch my body." Indeed they do JoJo. Let it be noted that Joe's rule may be that you need to ask before touching him, Mom and everyone else's rule is that you had better be thoroughly sanitized (and that includes chairs, tables, door handles, handrails, etc. Not only does this illness not stand a chance, germs' days are numbered as well. Team Taylor is ridding the world of germs - one handi-wipe at a time.

As for the tests, thanks to the transfusion, our Hero's hematocrit levels were up to 34.1. Everyone had hoped that the transfusion would bring his attitude and energy back to 'ol' Joe' levels, but it hasn't quite gotten there... yet. He is definitely engaging more with his toys and video games (you know, the important stuff) but he gets worn out easily. His ANC levels continue to be low at 1071 but not dangerously low. The doc, however, did state (with a smile on her face) that she was pleased to see Joseph's marrow was beginning to create new red blood cells.

The visit with Dr. Thompson wen well too as they continue to educate the family more and more on Joe's type of leukemia - ALL as well as more about the clinical study that they are a part of - which will include some genetic testing due in next week. The study uses the same medicines but just more of them - depending upon with 'arm' of the study you are randomized into. Team Taylor also learned that the genetic test and specifically the chromosome results are very important, explaining that extra or duplicate chromosomes are a VERY good thing. It's optimal to have 55 chromosomes and children that show rapid remission by Day 28 and 55 chromosomes have a 95%+ cure rate and permanent remission. Bring on the chromosomes and the rapid remission!!!

After the doc it was off to curtain #4 to get Joe his Vinicristine treatment and then wait for the sedation for the bone marrow draw. Mom wonders whether they will make the mistake of putting our verbose Hero in a curtained room again after he was not shy about voicing his displeasure with the speed at which things were moving... not to mention that he still had not eaten... which quite obviously "wasn't fair because he works harder than anyone else." Again, you can't argue with the guy. So in an effort to reassure him, Mom confirmed that she will make sure his fry portion from Burgermaster was bigger this time. Done and done JoJo. After all the tests and sedation and treatment, our hungry Hero shrugged off the recovery room and drunkenly walked out of the hospital under his own power. Nothing can keep this guy from his fries.

Mom and Dad were ready for some real wine and were able to celebrate Sandy's 60th birthday while Aunt Tina stepped in and provided Joe some entertainent (i.e. his cousins.) A special thanks goes out to Ericka and Maui for taking some of the kids out a movie and dinner to allow the excitement at a managable level for Joe after a long day.

The weekend should be a relaxing one that will include a little trip up to Cle Elum to check out the progress on the cabin and then back home for some R and R after a busy but productive and overall pretty positive week.

OK class, we all have our homework now - prayers and positive thoughts for great test results, plenty of chromosomes, no germs and not having to go back to the hospital until November 16th for a measly port poke and a vinicristine treatment. Dismissed!