More Good News for BK

One thing I didn't mention in my previous post regarding Brooklyn's remission was her Mass Residual Disease or MRD. The MRD is basically a test where they take Brooklyn's bone marrow and look at it under a really, really strong microscope to see if there is even the smallest fraction of a percentage of disease left. All of Brooklyn's test results looked good except we wouldn't find out about the MRD until days later. Well today I got the call from our case manager that Brooklyn's bone marrow came back MRD negative, meaning zero cancer remains in Brooklyn's body. This is a great thing on many levels. First off, it means that she is at a lower risk level for relapse. Additionally, that lower risk level qualifies her for a study which will put her on a less chemotherapy, meaning less side effects in the short and long term.

So far, Brooklyn has been off of her meds for a total of six days. Honestly, I noticed a difference after less than 24 hours. She was smiling more and just seemed overall happier. After about three days we noticed her stomach was going down. Her face is still round and chubby, but her normal clothes are fitting her again. Her appetite is almost completely back to that of a two year olds. She no longer clamors for food morning, noon and night. Her walking has improved, although she still needs help standing up to do so.  I have noticed a definite tremor developing in her hands, we think its from the weekly Vincristine treatments, which she will no longer be recieving.

The best thing of all? Brooklyn is laughing and playing again

Really, I've never heard her giggle as much as she has this week. She laughs at everything. It's an amazing sound to hear in a house that has been virtually silent for over a month.

Tomorrow, she heads in the Children's where we will get her plan for phase two, Consolidation.  She will still be on a chemotherapy regimen, but it won't be nearly as aggressive as the first phase was.  I'm growing anxious for the next six months to be over so that we can move into maintenance and she can be a normal kid again.