Packing up...

and getting ready for the 3rd round of Consolidation Therapy.

Last week Mommy had her appointment with Dr. Loren. We were kind of expecting that she'd be at HUP this week getting her chemo. But, the doctor wanted to give her one more week to make sure that her blood marrow was producing the blood cells well enough on her own.

After the last round of chemo it took a little bit longer for her bone marrow to get working and get her counts back up. Actually, the day before her visit with the doctor last Wednesday, she needed a blood and platelet transfusion. So, while her blood tests looked good when she visited Dr. Loren, it was likely a result of the transfusions she got... not completely from the bone marrow at work.

Dr. Loren decided to postpone the treatment date to give time for us to see the blood counts at good levels -- without the need for transfusions. On Monday, the blood work showed that her platelets and white blood count are at acceptable levels for her to get her next round of chemo. Her bone marrow is working. Yay!

Mommy is expected to be admitted on Friday and will go through the exact same treatment the last 2 rounds of her consolidation therapy.

The doctor mentioned to us that the "slowness" of her counts to get back up after this round of chemo could be because the bone marrow is getting more tired. While Mommy is slightly over-60, her treatment is the one typically used for the under-60 patient. The doctor said, "It could be that the bone marrow just knows that it's over-60."

• Please pray that this 3rd round of treatment will go well AND that she will recover well afterwards.
• Pray that while the bone marrow gets knocked down by the chemo, that it will be able to get working again afterwards and able to produce all the healthy blood cells my mom needs to live a healthy, normal life!
• Pray for God's continued wisdom to be with us, the doctors and the nurses at each stage of her treatment.
• Pray that we will continue to experience and share the strength, restoration, love, peace and hope in Christ.

As always, we are so grateful for your love and prayers!

Daddy waits for the elevators outside of Dr. Loren's office on 15th floor of Penn Tower.