Getting stronger and stronger...

Our Hero continued his great week, going out and mixing with the masses a bit more. Well, OK, not quite the 'masses' but he is getting out of the house a lot more for things other than treatment and such. Included in that was Christmas at the Taylor's which, Joe like any other boy or girl, loved. That is until it was over... but then was quickly reminded he'd get to do it all over again at Yiayia and Papa's on Christmas Eve.

JoJo remains active - playing and running around. His appetite is still a bit small but the doctors say that is very normal for this part of his treatment. For those that know Joe, there is little fear that that appetite of his will return. :) Although his blood work numbers were a bit flat (28.9 Hematocrit and an ANC of 864) the doc reassured Team Taylor that this is good in two ways, the blood work indicates the effect that the treatment is having and it no longer measures how good he's feeling, that can now be indicated by Joseph's behavior, mood, activity level, etc.. All these things indicate the treatment continues to be effective and our Hero is feeling better because the cancer is no longer present, which reduces pain, lets your body work with you as opposed to against you and allows him much more energy. Oh, and getting of 'The Juice' (steroids) helped alleviate many of the symptomatic side effects as well. But even with all that caution remains the better part of valor in order to ensure Joe doesn't catch any bugs or anything.

The plan going forward will kick back off on New Year's Day (rather than the 28th of December due to the hospital being all booked up.) These treatments will make his levels go down, so this time off will be important to allow him to build up his strength for the next battle. It'll be a schedule of January 2nd - January 5th and then three days off and then back on for another four days of treatment January 9th through the 12th. Then JoJo will be all done with Consolidation and it will be on to the Interim Maintenance which should be more manageable with a lessening of medication and a more standard approach in the study. The phase after that is Delayed Intensification (which is much like Consolidation) but Team Taylor is ready!

All are looking forward to Christmas, being around family and being happy - all of which takes on renewed meaning for Team Taylor this year. All the best to all the family and friends and extended team members of Team Taylor, have a very happy holiday and remember Joe in your thoughts and prayers. Stay tuned...