Xander Update

Here is the latest update from Ricki Lea....

Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:33 PM CST

I first want to say thank you for praying for us this week, Xander did really well!

The doctor called today and informed me really quick that the news was "not bad"! We learned that Xander's MIBG was negative, meaning that there was no lighting up, there was nothing detected. This is very good news!!! Xander's bone marrow has changed a little bit: In April 2008 the left side was 0nd the right side was less than 1Now the left side showed 5nd the right side showed 2-3We know that when a bone marrow biopsy is done they are only able to "test" from the sample that they get, therefore it is not 100ccurate. The doctors feel that this change is not significant enough to change Xander's treatment. They feel that it is the best thing for Xander to be on right now. Although it may not be a "cure" it is keeping the cancer stable. Doug and I are fine with keeping the treatment the same for now. We will retest Xander's bone marrow in January and then go from there.

Of course I cried at this news and had to explain to Xander why I was crying!! It is not the worst news we could have received by far. Doug and I know that we could have been told a lot worse today. But it still takes some time to digest. More than anything we wanted to hear "no cancer" today.

My heart is truly thankful for the news we received. With all of my heart I know that God will deliver us from this somehow and someway! At times it seems like Xander will be on treatment forever and we will never live "normal" lives. I told Xander today that we will keep praying, keep trusting, and keep taking the medicine. He seemed to be fine with that. He was more concerned about EATING, he is always starving after school. Talk about living for today!!!


Have a Happy Thanksgiving, I know we will.
Thank you for praying faithfully.
love
Ricki Lea