REMISSION!

Vlad is officially in remission!

We were at Conlon's this morning and got the good news. He said there had been no increase in blasts, which means it looks like he's in remission.

But it's not the end of the chemo. He's going back for four months of "consolidation" therapy, Part 2 of his chemo treatment. I am not familiar with this version of the consolidation, where he goes for 5.5 days of chemo in the hospital, then goes home for three weeks, and repeats this three more times. He would be taking a higher dose of the Ara-C than before, "like a booster," Conlon said, to knock out any more leukemia. During his three weeks of recuperation at home, he'll need to go in for transfusions. Also if he develops a fever, he'll have to check back in to the hospital.

So mid-August, with a little luck and a lot of prayers, this chapter may be over. Yes!

We took some Russian candy to the nurses while we were in the neighborhood. They are so amazing. They were thrilled about the remission. And crying. One was ribbing Vlad about the Rockets' horrible performance last night. Ah. We'll seem them Thursday. We ran into Dr. Mallick in the elevator, who was also happy to hear the news.

Must get back to work now. Vlad's making stuffed peppers for tonight. We've invited some people over to celebrate.