Today marks the 2-year
anniversary from the day Grant was originally diagnosed. I can't believe it has
been two years. In many ways it seems like only yesterday that he as a healthy
2 year-old boy, and here we are so close to him turning 5.
Last night, Dr. Dreyer texted David - "FISH
NEGATIVE!!!!" Hurrah!!! He called her to see what that meant. They
looked at 500 cells (normally they only look at 200). Of those 200 cells, none of them showed any DNA fingerprints of
cancer. So, now we have one test that looked at 200,000 cells and found 100
cancer cells, and another test that looked at 500 cells, and did not see any
cancer. We are so hopeful.
Now we have to wait for the test on Friday.
The rest results we are expecting on Friday (PCR) looks at 100,000 or more
cells to see if he has any Philadelphia Chromosome (PH+) present. (You can
assume if there is any Philadelphia Chromosome present, then there is cancer.
Typically, you would not have Philadelphia Chromosome without it being the DNA
marker for the cancer cell. So, No Philadelphia = No Cancer. Some Philadelphia
(PH+) = Some Cancer.) Dr. Dreyer is fully expecting it to show something, but
not in super high ranges. Historically, Grant's PCR shows less than .01%
presence of Philadelphia Chromosome. I pray to God it shows the same or 0. If
it does, we are likely to test him for PH+ gene mutations and then switch him
to the newer drug Disatinib. Again, Disatinib can get rid of most gene
mutations and is thought to be a better class of drug than the Gleevec he
is currently on.
So, in summary - good news yesterday. The real test that
everyone relies so heavy on will be back on Friday. PLEASE keep the prayers
coming. I truly believe things will work out in our favor because of all the
prayers you are sending up and the grace of God. Let’s pray for the PCR results
to be the same as usual or even better!!
I am the proud mom and Claire and Grant. I am so blessed to have them in my life!
