A Glance at What's Next

Well, we are back home (actually went home Tuesday). The doctor thinks Mark caught a virus that ran its course, they never actually identified anything particular. We basically hung out at the hospital for 3 days watching Turner Classis Movies and waiting to go home. Mark feels perfectly fine now and has not had any problems since leaving the hospital. We went to the doctor today for his weekly blood levels check and everything looks great. We don't have to return again until Tuesday, so we are taking a couple days to hang out while Brodie visits Grandma Crawford.

The doctor did give us a quick overview of Mark's upcoming treatment. Basically, Mark finishes his ATRA on Friday June 24th. A few days later they will do a bone marrow biopsy to Mark is in remission. That result will take a couple of days. Once the remission is confirmed, Mark will begin the consolidation phase of his treatment. The pharmacists overview basically told us that Mark will get another round of 2 chemo medicines over about 2 weeks, then he will take a week off. After the week off, Mark will start getting arsenic 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Once he finishes the arsenic, he will begin the maintanence phase. The maintanence phase means Mark will take ATRA for 2 weeks, every 3 months over 2 years.

We are pretty excited to have at least an idea what is in store for us next with Mark's treatment. Thankfully, I am out of work until the first of August, so I will be able to take Mark to his chemo treatments and possibly the first week of arsenic. My current prayer is for help getting him to his daily appointments for arsenic. The pharmacist said the treatment can be all outpatient as long as Mark stays well AND we are able to get him to every appointment. Once I have a detailed schedule, I will start figuring out a schedule and know for sure what dates I will need help getting Mark to appointments.

Continue to pray for Mark's health and avoiding any further infections. Also, pray for continued comfort and strength as we continue this adventure and take further steps towards Mark's being cured of cancer.

With a thankful heart,
Amanda