Well, we’ve made it through 2 months already!! In one way, I feel like we Easton’s diagnosis was a lifetime ago, but then when I realize that we’ve already made it through 2 months, I feel like we’ll find a way to make the rest of the time fly by.
I thought I’d hop on really quickly to give a fast update today. Luckily, there isn’t a lot to update.
After the first 28 days of treatment (induction), they do another bone marrow test to test how much leukemia they still find in the marrow. The goal at the end of that 28 days is to come back clear. If it’s below a certain percentage (I can’t remember the exact number, but it’s only a few percentage numbers), then you are considered in remission. Treatment still continues aggressively for several months, and then less aggressively for a few years, because the cancer can hide and if you stop treatment before it is completely gone, it will return.
Well, Easton’s results came back clear! So he is in remission, which is a huge relief. He is still considered average risk, so treatment will continue how it was mapped out at the beginning for us. But knowing that the treatment is working is such a relief and has made all of this a lot easier to handle. We have about another 6 months of weekly (sometimes every other week) treatments, followed by about 3 years of monthly treatments. So the road is still long, but we are so happy that the prognosis is so good.
He started the second round of treatment and has been doing well with it. We are lucky that his counts haven’t dropped, and the chemo doesn’t seem to affect him too much. He’s getting back a lot of the strength that he lost in his legs after a month of steroids during the first round, and overall, he’s doing great. He did have a fever last weekend that landed us in the emergency room twice. They take fevers seriously, and if you have one, you have to go into the hospital for antibiotics. So we spent several hours there on Friday night and Sunday night. Luckily, we were able to go home both times. But he’s doing so much better this week, and we are crossing our fingers that we don’t have a repeat.
We did end up shaving his head a few weeks back, mostly because we were tired of finding hair everywhere. There would be a layer in the bathtub every night after his bath, and his bed was covered in it. I was vacuuming like a crazy person. Plus he had some bald spots and it was pretty patchy, so we both decided it needed to go. I was afraid he was going to be super self-conscious, but he has handled it pretty well. He has a new Spiderman hat that he loves, which I know has made it all a lot easier.
I want to thank you all again for all of the prayers and happy thoughts and well wishes. We have felt all of them, and am so grateful for all of the people that are behind us!
Lamento profundamente no haber leído tus correos completos y no haberme enterado
de la salud de tu hijito. Estoy alegre por ese pronóstico favorable de su condición.
En adelante estaré pendiente de la salud de él, y estaran en mis oraciones.
Bendiciones.
03.26.2016 So very sorry about your son’s blood condition. We will keep your family in our prayers. Once during a difficult time I was told God only sends us what he knows that we can handle. I replied, “I think there are days when he thinks too of me!” I imagine you must feel like that too? Peace be with you.
He’s so handsome and his eyes are beautiful.We’ll keep praying for his cure. Be strong!
congrats on such a good report. My grandson who is 16 also went thru same treatment for leukemia over a year ago in Jan…prognosis excellent now. Lots of hope for Easton!
I’m glad to hear the good news. He is such a cutie!
God bless Easton and your whole family. We are all rejoicing with you in the great news! Thank you for the update – I have been holding you all in my prayers. What a cutie pie he is! Happy Easter!
Rezo por todos ustedes. Mi comunión de hoy la ofrezco por la salud de Easton.
I’ve seen many people without hair, so far this is the most handsome of them all. Kisses and prayers.
Such great news!!!!!! Love his sweet face!
Prayers not only for Easton, but also Mom and Dad, family and all those blessed to know Easton and share in the gift of his friendship! God is good and prayers are his medicine! I will add Easton’s name on my Church’s prayer list on Easter Sunday and with prayer’s strength, and determination he will get 100% well! May God bless you all as I and many pray for you!
Prayers not only for Easton, but also Mom and Dad, family and all those blessed to know Easton and share in the gift of his friendship! God is good and prayers are his medicine! I will add Easton’s name on my Church’s prayer list on Easter Sunday and with prayer’s strength, and determination he will get 100% well! May God bless you all as I and many pray for you!
Praying for Easton and your family and loved ones. Thank you for the update with awesome news of remission!
Praying for Easton.
So glad to hear that the course of treatment is going well. Sending you all prayers for strength and healing.
Such good news Deborah. Sending you and your family prayers for a complete recovery.
I stumbled onto this after following a recipe link here. I just wanted to offer prayers and encouragement as we had friends who walked through something similar with their 3yo daughter. It wasn’t easy, but there were also good and funny moments as God held them close. They are done! She is healthy, so is their family and they are able to look forward most of the time. May it be so for you and yours.
I’m so glad you gave us an update and things seem to be getting better for all of you. I’ll continue to lift you up in prayers for healing and strength. Love to you all!!
Hi Deborah,
I just stumbled upon your blog as I was searching for a tilapia recipe and I feel like the GOOD Lord sent me to you for a reason! As I was scrolling down to read viewer comments on your recipe, I saw further down the most beautiful bald-headed little boy….other than MY beautiful bald-headed boy, Reece, who was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL) in 2004 at the age of 2. I can’t believe it’s been almost 12 years, as it seems like yesterday our world was turned upside down by this terrible disease! I wanted to write, however, to offer encouragement, as our son today is a happy, healthy, athletic…even handsome WITH HAIR…almost 14 year old! It was a lonnnnng road, with plenty of ups and downs through those 3 years, 2 months, but we made it and most importantly, HE MADE IT! GOD IS SO GOOD. I won’t go on and on (as I could), but if you need someone to talk to (it was crucial for me to talk to someone who had actually walk the same path as us- we had AMAZING support from family and friends, but one TRULY doesn’t understand unless they’ve been through it firsthand), please feel free to email me at holbrookjenn25@gmail.com. Lastly, here is a video I put together at the end of Reece’s treatment that reflects his journey: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AO85aLs4hTg
God bless you all!
He has a gorgeous little head! I have been praying for him AND you. So happy to hear a good report.
May God heal your son as soon as possible in Jesus name. Amen
I hope your family is doing well! <3
Little Easton has an angel at his side! This picture of him is adorable and you must be so proud. I pray that he continues to be strong, happy and healthier than ever.
Blessings to your family.
Thinking of you and your family during this time. It’s important to share these stories – childhood cancer is the LEAST funded and people need to see how many it truly effects.
Always praying for a full recovery<3
Hi! Just wanted to say that I am praying for your little boy and your family. May God grant him a very quick and speedy recovery and give your family the strength to get through this.
Thinking of you and sending you positive thoughts. My sister and mother have cancer and I know what a blow it can be to come face to face with a diagnosis like this. Can you believe the interminable waiting for results from testing?! Sometimes I think cancer is 85% waiting for results. You and your family will get through this stronger and richer for having endured it but when you’re right in the middle…it’s just plain scary and exhausting. Smile whenever you can. It will help.
Praying for Easton and the rest of the family. <3