A Good Day!

Yes, you read that right - today has been a good day!

We thank God for:

1. Ava's leg pain & neck pain - they are GONE as of this morning! Just gone. The docs were beginning to worry that Ava might have had a leg fracture or something, with the pain she was experiencing and reluctance to move. But the pain is all gone! Hallelujah!
2. The X-ray she had this morning of the neck/chest area also revealed that the mass on a gland that was pressing on her airway is also GONE!
3. Her WBC is down to 0.4K today, continuing its downward trend.
4. Ava has been afebrile for over 24 hours.
5. Ava had a stitch at her PICC line insertion that looked irritated. It is all healed up this morning and looking great!
6. Ava also had a sore at the corner of her mouth that had ripped open from opening it wide. That is also healed and looking great!
7. Gwen's skin is also looking much better today!

Given that Ava pretty much has no immune system, the healing of her sores is simply a work of God, and we thank Him that her pain has just up and disappeared. Thank you all for your prayers - God hears the prayers of His people.

Repeat blood cultures have been drawn, not sure when results will return. If they show no bacteria, Ava is cleared for discharge, barring any other unforeseen circumstances. Not sure if it's possible to be today, or if it may be tomorrow or the day after.

Prayer requests:

1. Ava's blasts remain at 34% today (same as yesterday). These numbers need to go down.
2. Pray for Ava to find a match. The decision hasn't been made to go for a BMT just yet, but they are planning for it.
3. Continue to pray for wisdom regarding Ava's treatment. When Ava's induction period is over, (which is when this first round of chemo is "finished" in terms of effectiveness), the plan now is to start ALL treatment. They will know when induction is over when Ava's numbers start to rebound/go back up.
4. Pray for discharge home soon (and to actually be able to spend weeks there)!

A note about being a bone marrow donor:
I have heard from a couple people who were previously contacted as an initial match for someone. They were contacted to go through more testing/paperwork to find out if they were a good match. Both expressed how they didn't realize the urgency of the matter, that these patients are really looking to find a match quick! Especially since some of these patients have a small window of time (e.g. remission) when BMT is optimal, it is imperative that you keep your contact info up to date and respond as soon as possible.

Also, if you have any hesitations, please think hard about becoming a bone marrow donor. It is a commitment to join the registry. While you have the prerogative to decline donation when you are contacted, it is devastating to the hopes of the family to have a donor back out. Please join the registry! But please only join if you are willing to follow through to the end. Thanks!

Let us rejoice together for this good day! We may not know what the future holds, but let us fully appreciate and thank God for the many blessings we share with the Lee family this day, and continue praying for more!