REMISSION!

It was right around suppertime, exactly 4 weeks ago, that we were given the news that Jaxon has ALL. 

Around suppertime today, we were told that Jaxon has achieved complete remission!

My facebook post:
Complete. Remission. Achieved!

From Paul:
Bone Marrow results are back ... Zero. Negative. None. Gone. Bye-bye.
In other words, no traces of Leukemia present and we are onto phase two of the process. Can I get an AMEN People!!!

We still have a very long road ahead. The battle has really just begun. The treatment over these past four weeks, the Induction phase, has done as it was designed and expected to do - to eradicate the Leukemia from his cells. We will soon begin the next phase, called Consolidation. We will learn more about it from our Oncology team over the next few days. 

Other really big news of the day is that Jax finally got out some air and other stuff that has been trapped in his lazy gut. Docs have been watching his abdomen closely, as it has been causing him great discomfort and has often looked distended. He went for a third x-ray of his belly today. The scan showed that he had a considerable amount of air, and though it wasn't clearly seen on the scan, it is believed that he has some impacted stool. I'll spare you the details. We know that his bowels are working at a basic level, but he won't be discharged until his poops normalize and the cramping/bloating subsides. He's had some pain again when he pees. They are still working on the theory that there has been some injury to his kidneys. A combination of the dehydration and a suspected stone or crystals. Both the pee and poop issues are expected to resolve on their own. After the results of the x-ray came back late this afternoon, there was talk of him getting an NG tube to alleviate the pressure on his gut. He must have gathered all the details he needed to know about that as shortly after he spent a long and very successful time upon the throne. Who can tell me why all the toilets in this children's hospital are built for adults? So tall and imposing. Horseshoe shaped seat. My boy's little bum and chicken legs just don't do well on such a monstrosity. PZ went and bought a cheap training potty. It sits on the floor beside his bed so we don't have to get him, two supporting adults, and his IV pole into the tiny bathroom with the giant toilet. In the training potty, he can have his feet on the floor and sit comfortably. There was added complexity this evening when docs ordered a urine analysis (to be caught midstream, thank you very much) and a stool sample. They must not be mixed. We rigged up a system on the big toilet, with the removable seat from the training potty.  The nurse was very impressed, and our efforts were "rewarded". He has been returned to NPO (no food or drink by mouth) status, though if he's really hungry or really thirsty, he can have some clear fluids. This is to ensure that the gut continues to awaken and work its magic.

Our sweet nurse Marina just came in to give me the results of the Electrolyte and Metabolite portion of his blood work from this evening. Everything is as it should be, no "flags" to show that any of the levels are out of the normal range. He could still be passing crystals or sediment, but the numbers show that his kidneys are functioning perfectly. 

I don't really want to end this post talking about bodily fluids ...

The cancer is gone. Now, let's keep it that way.

Thank you, Loving Heavenly Father. Our helper, our healer, our hope.