Well it is official, or at least semi official, Matt is in REMISSION! He will have a bone biopsy April 1st, but the doctor isn’t expecting anything different than a confirmation of remission. The doctor did share that there really isn’t a ration anymore of the ARA-C but that there just isn’t anymore available in the US. So there is none to be had for Matt. Typically AML patients go through anywhere from 2-4 consolidation treatments, so with Matt have had three consolidations and with his young age the AML should be really in remission.
The plan is for the next two years Matt will have quarterly labs to keep a check on everything. Then it will spread out to every four and then six months until he hits year five. After that he will be considered truly healed.
Of course, the pessimist that Matt is, he is still worried that the leukemia will come back quickly and waiting three months will be too long. After some discussion, that that would happen, Matt convinced the doctor to do labs in one month, then two then three months instead of three months. I know Matt just needs reassurance, but hopefully he can let go of his fears and just trust.
I will have to write more at another time as a reflection of just how wonderful God has been and how He was in charge of every little part of this journey. God’s timing was perfect.
If Matt hadn’t been diagnosed in November, but later, there wouldn’t have been enough of the chemo drug. Our understanding is the ARA-C is what works on AML. So any other drug option wouldn’t have had as high of a cure rate.
Our family practice was able to see the rash Matt had and know it was a high possibility of being leukemia. Thankful we referred that day to Dr. Kocs who specializes in blood cancers.
The first few nights in the hospital Matt was blessed with the most wonderful and understanding nurses. They were able to speak frankly with him and help guide him through his fear (and grieving) processes. Matt was blessed though out his treatment with wonderful hospital staff. From the nurses, to the custodians that would reassure me they had Matt in their prayers, to the sweet gentleman who came by daily to scan all the equipment and always asked how Matt was. At each moment when the situation would seem to be at its worst, there was always encouragement.
Our family has been blessed beyond belief by all the small acts of kindness from family and friends, to co-workers, to strangers. There were nights that I could literally feel a calmness and peacefulness surround us in the hospital. I know it was due to the prayers that were never ceasing. We will never be able to thank everyone for that gift.
Some of the verse I have relied on during this are:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Jeremiah 29:11-12 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
James 1:12 – “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
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