8. Updates !!

Induction is the first 28 days of treatment and it’s fast and it’s furious and the goal is to get the cancer cell count down to almost zero. Then the next phase can begin. Where the beginning is fast, the next part is actually a long game to keep the cancer cells count to stay down, and it’s slow and steady to really annihilate the cancer and stop it from being likely to return. Thankfully many children’s cases have been studied and these protocols are not made out of thin air and the doctors make decisions based on mountains of evidence and success stories.

Before the next phase called consolidation can begin, the cancer cell count needs to be almost-zero. Less than 0.01% of the cells in his bone marrow biopsy! And then he can begin the next phase, while staying on “Plan A”. He had the procedure done on the 27th and we’ve been patiently awaiting the results.

I am absolutely overjoyed to say the news we start 2025 with is that Mercer’s results show less than 0.01% cancerous cells! His body has responded so well to treatment and we get to stay on Plan A and begin consolidation really soon. We’ve gotten the best possible results for this stage of the game and there are many thankful hearts and joyful praises and answered prayers. So much happiness and relief and renewed strength to keep going.

It’s a bit of a “bye-week” for him as his body adjusts to no more steroids and his blood counts begin to recoup a bit on their own. So in this lull we catch our breath and he gets a bit of energy to play and laugh and be silly which is wonderful to see. And likely by the 10th he’ll begin consolidation. Another 28 day treatment block, but this time a different arrangement of meds and three lumbar punctures. The doctors say it’s generally a bit more well-tolerated. No one uses the term “easier” because nothing about any of this is easy haha. As a word nerd, I appreciate all the vocabulary choices and intentionality in speaking and communicating. I’ve tried to be open and honest with my kids about hard things— and it’s great to know all theories professionals here have the same values. We can do hard things 🤍

The big change for him this week was a hairstyle! Early on, we read books about kids with leukemia and cancer and talked about the medicine making his hair fall out. Some kids cut their hair, some kids leave it, some wear hats, some don’t. He decided then that he wanted to cut it when the time came and so when it started to thin this week I wondered if it would be soon. And the moment presented itself last night and he smiled and buzzed it off the top himself! “I love being bald” he keeps saying with a smile. Kids don’t have the hang ups we adults do and it sure helps my mama heart to see him smiling and cheerful— a confident, loving, sweet boy no matter what his hair is.

I’m thrilled to say our little man is doing so well all things considered. The journey is long and winding and the moments of success demand to be shared and remembered and held onto tightly as we keep going. So, so, so unendingly grateful for everyone for loving us through all this. Thank you for sharing in every sorrow and every victory with us! 💕