REMISSION

Today we found out that Brendan’s leukaemia is in remission. His marrow showed a normal blast cell count of 1%. His marrow continues to show signs of Myelodysplasia. This is what was expected.

Brendan will begin his transplant conditioning on Monday. He will receive 6 rounds of total body radiation over 3 days which includes a general anaesthetic each time. This will be followed by 4 days of chemo, a day of rest and his transplant on the Tuesday after Easter. We then have a long wait for the cells to engraft in the marrow space before we start seeing signs of marrow recovery.

We are very pleased that our 'living in limbo-land' is over. Brendan is very well and back to his usual chatty self. He is getting on with some school work and enjoying getting out of his hospital room. Today we went back to Coogee Beach. We had fish and chips by the beach and then got Brendan to have a paddle in the sea. He was initially very reluctant to go into the water but by the time he had finished he was wet and sandy from head to toe.

The news that Brendan is in remission is fantastic but what lies ahead takes all the joy out of his recovery. There are no guarantees that his cancer will not return in the future. There is no guarantee that the cells will engraft. The list of horrible side effects and problems Brendan may suffer seem to be endless. 35% of children who undergo a transplant do not survive. It is almost certain Brendan will lose up to 20 IQ points and be sterile due to the total body radiation.

Brendan does have some very promising signs going into transplant. He is well, in remission and has a good weight. He understands much of what is being said about his illness and is very comfortable discussing what is going to happen to him. He is happy as long as no one is trying to put a tube down his nose or stabbing him with a needle.

We are going to spend the weekend trying to get out and about. We need to stay close to the hospital because Brendan's doctors are withdrawing him off his steroids and he may have a reaction. We're going to try and enjoy Brendan's last few days of freedom. On Monday he becomes isolated in his room for about 2 months. His visitors will be restricted and no children other than Kieran and Tara will be able to visit. There is a phone and an intercom in his room so that he can talk to people through his rooms windows.

For now, the news is positive and when this is all over there is a good chance that Brendan will be cured.

Love to everyone

Anna