News on the Diagnosis:
The doctors completed Griffin's second bone marrow biopsy and though the official analysis is not yet in, the doctor's said from what the see so far, they are hopeful that Griffin does have Pre-B ALL which is the "better" Leukemia to have. The treatment for this will be about six months of intense chemotherapy which will have lots of bad effects among which are:
-loss of hair on head, eyebrows, eyelashes
-brain bleeds
-swollen face
-sickness
The good news is that this Leukemia is *HIGHLY SURVIVABLE*.
(taken from http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Looking-Towards-More-Effective--Leukemia-Treatment--2861-1/)
"Eighty percent of the time childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is curable with chemotherapy. The bad news is doctors are not sure why it doesn’t work for the other 20 percent of patients. Now, new research finds it could be because of a small number of genes that are resistant to drugs used to treat the disease."
News on Griffin:
Griffin woke up with sores on his lips and in his mouth. This could be related to the small dose of chemotherapy that the doctors gave him last night. He is recovering from the second bone marrow biopsy operation. Mommy and Griffin watched Blues Clues, Griffin's favorite and he was responding to Mommy's questions:
Who is that?
Notebook
What is that?
Clue
Questions from Family and Friends
Here are Gretchen's answers to questions from family and friends...
How long will you be in the hospital?
We will definitely be here until the end of the week, May 2. After today's analysis of the bone marrow, we will know more about the chemotherapy strategy. The results could dictate that we go back and forth from home to do the treatments. Or this could dictate that we stay here for 5 days of intense therapy and can leave and stay at home for some interval and return and keep doing these rounds. We will find out this evening.
Can we send you flowers?
I believe the hospital is not allowing flowers at this time.
Is there anything we can do?
At this point we cannot request help until we know what our situation will be like. I love to hear the comments. It lifts me up. Very touching.
Are you going to test the other kids for Leukemia?
We are going to get our arms around Griffin's Leukemia then we will circle back to the others.
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13 comments:
Gretchen and Jon, I am so sorry to hear this :( I am keeping my finger crossed that this is the least harmful type of Leukemia. Griffin will make through this and have a long life ahead of him. Please let me know through Jenny if there is anything I can help with. - Coral
Gretch and Jon, may He give you strength at this time. Know that He hears your prayers and our prayers for Griffin's recovery.
We support you!
Uncle Mario and Tita Tess
Gretchen and Jon,
My name is Kim and I am one of Nelson's friends, you probably don't know me. I live in California now, but I used to work at CMH and was the Nurse Case Manager on 4W (Hem/Onc) floor on and off for the last 5 years. I just wanted to offer my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. The Oncology staff at CMH are great. The nurses on 4W are the best( I think, in the whole hospital) and so smart...so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and let them know what you're thinking. I have no doubt that you guys are in good hands. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
All of you are in my thoughts and prayers,
Kim
Gretchen and Jon, I just wanted to let you know our thoughts are with Griffin and the rest of the family. Let us know if there is anything we can do, like bring you food while you are at the hospital. - Wayne and Kaman
Gretchen and Jon, Griffin and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ella, Brock and Taylor said a special prayer for Griffin tonight. Please let me know if there is anything that we can do for you. -Erika
Gretchen and Jon, Your family are in our constant thoughts and prayers. This is Anne Easter (maiden name Kang), Simon's sister. Simon also sends his prayers from Korea. Please let us know if there is anything we can do, we just moved to Evanston so we're neighbors. Anything at all, food, playing w/ the kids... We also now have a little one, Noah who is now 16 mos and loves to play w/ other kids, esp. those older than him!
Gretchen and Jon,
We are praying for Griffin and your family. Please let me know what I can do --- watch the kids, go grocery shopping, clean the house, ANYTHING --- don't hesitate to ask. Jonathan would love to be their "human" punching bag again :P
Joe, Michelle, Jonathan, and Tyler
We offer prayers with love to Griffin and your family. Don't hesitate to give us a call if there's anything at all we could do -
Fides, Jun, Randy & Brian
Gretchen & Jon,
I'm Sharon's sister, she called me yesterday before Griffin's second biopsy.
I just wanted to let you know that there are more prayers out there. My husband Wayne & our two boys will be praying for Griffin and all or you!
Gretchen and Jon, Please know that we are praying and thinking of you all. Know that you both are very strong loving people and that will definitely help Griffin get through this. Please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do for your family.
Love & Prayers, Joe, Christine & Haley
Hi Gretchen and Jon
You have been in our thoughts and prayers and continue to be.
Let us know if we can help.
Hang in there sending you big(((HUGS)))
God is listening to all our prayers.
Love
Rowena,Rodney and Sidney
Gretchen and Jon,
We finally found the website and placed it on our favorites list so that we can keep in touch as you go through this difficult time. I know Griffin will do well,(he's the tough guy)although it won't be an easy road. I know that we have said this many times but please don't hesitate to call for anything day or night-you are family. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.-The Ceviker Family
my lovely baby boy griffin,
when you're feeling better again,the earth will sing,the clouds will dance,the flowers will sway to the rhythm of all...
and the world will be in perfect harmony.
so hurry and get well soon...i'm waiting for you and i love you my baby.
nellie
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