OP & P

Since Wednesday, May 28, Griffin came home from his procedure tired and sleepy. There was a slight bump in the road prior to the procedure. Do you want to hear about this 'bump'? Should I be ambiguous about the incident or should I be specific and use names? But what is the point of bringing up the past? The most important part of the day was bringing Griffin back home. I should just say that the person that failed to follow Operational Policy & Procedure will never fail again.
On Thursday evening Griffin developed a fever, rapid respiratory rate, and difficulty breathing. Griffin's temperature was high enough to qualify for a visit to Children's Memorial Hospital. After numerous blood tests, chest x-rays, and physical examinations, Griffin was diagnosed with pneumonia. He was given intravenous antibiotics and sent home. The doctors say he developed pneumonia due to being intubated for his procedure and/or possibly because his activity level is at a minimum. This reason is the proper condition for allowing fluid to collect in his lungs. Griffin's medications make him tired and he tends to lay down most of the day. If he has to travel he sits in his stroller. Since being diagnosed with pneumonia, Griffin's siblings have been sent to stay with grandparents until Griffin is no longer contagious.
Today Jon and Gretchen are waiting for results from the bone marrow biopsy. Three different tests are performed on the bone marrow. One test is a visual test. The second test is a flow cytometry test that is used to measure the amount of DNA in cells, specifically it is used to to determine how well a cancer may respond to a particular therapy. The third test is called MRD or minimum residual disease. This latest technology is a highly sophisticated tool that looks for any remaining cancer cells, even single cancer cells. Ideally the results that Jon and Gretchen are waiting to hear is an MRD value of 0. This would be suggestive that the cancer is responding to the chemotherapy and it also means Griffin has a higher chance for survival.
This Thursday is the second phase of Griffin's chemotherapy. The consolidation phase. This phase kills the rest of the leukemic cells left. Every Thursday this month Griffin will have a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and spinal tap. The weekend has been rough and coping with Griffin's illness has been hard. Gretchen and Jon have started to read the blogs of other families who also have a child with Leukemia. Reading the blogs offers support and then also can be heart wrenching when reading about the children who lose the battle for life. Jon and Gretchen thank everyone for the many gifts, food, cards and emails with words of encouragement and support. Please continue to pray for Griffin and his family. Check back for the update on the MRD value and more pictures being sent from Gretchen and Jon.