Day 15

Today is a very important day... day 15.

We have completed two weeks of chemotherapy and the bone marrow biopsy taken today (results will not be available till Monday) will tell us if we are using the right agents in the right amounts. Jacob's first biopsy on the 16th showed that over 85% of all cells being produced in the marrow were leukemia cells. By the 23 of May that number was down to 15% and the magic number we are looking for from today is <5%. If we are under the magic 5% then we will continue with the set course, complete two more weeks of the induction phase and then move on into consolidation. If we are over 5% then they will ramp up the chemotherapy for the remainder of the induction phase and until remission.

Over all, Jacob is doing really well. We are so happy that

**We interrupt this blog posting with new info**

Dr Odom just called, the pathologist stayed late and is reporting a leukemia count of less then 5% from Jacob's bone marrow today!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

...Talk about good news to send you into the weekend! If I have not said it before, let me say it now, "We have the best medical team EVER!" They treat Jacob as if he is one of theirs and they make this sucky journey seem survivable.

Jake is making his way through this induction phase with only minor side effects to the chemo. We are having some fatigue and tiredness as a result of the meds, but most days he still manages to take a walk, engage with the family, build with legos. He is hungry all the time. The families bringing us meals have been the best blessing and you keep the family morale really high. Jacob usually asks who's bringing what during the latter part of his breakfast and then dreams and fantasizes about it off and on during the day. The same steroid that makes him hungry also gives him mood swings so surgery days where he has to wait to eat can be a bit dicey. Fortunately, once we get to the clinic they have cup of noodles and oodles of other foods and snacks. This is essential to get back into Jacobs good graces.

Speaking of the hunger - it is back. We are off to Sonic for a lil ice cream treat! Mmmmmmmmmmmm