First hurdle cleared

Yesterday marked the end of the first hurdle of treatment. Catherine's first block of chemotherapy is now complete and she has had the bone marrow test to determine how much disease is left. She has recovered well after this test although she is still quite tired from the general anaesthetic. We will not know the results for a few days, probably October 2nd when we next see our consultant.

The bone marrow test will look at the MRD (Minimal Residual Disease). The smaller the number of leukaemia cells they find at this point, the less likely the disease will return after treatment. Ideally we need Catherine to be MRD negative, which means that the leukaemia cells have fallen below 1 in every 10,000 marrow cells.

Catherine is now on the second block of chemotherapy which is designed to prevent any remaining leukaemia cells from entering the CNS (Central Nervous System). Past leukaemia research found that whilst most children were MRD negative after the first phase of treatment, if they did no further treatment the leukaemia would come back in the Central Nervous System (in the spinal fluid and the fluid surrounding the brain). Catherine has already had some chemotherapy to stop this from happening and now will receive a further block of chemotherapy.

This part of the chemotherapy includes an oral chemotherapy 'medicine' called Mercaptopurine which we can give her at home. She will also receive chemotherapy into the spinal fluid through weekly lumbar punches which are given under general anaesthetic. She has had this chemotherapy every time she has had a bone marrow test so we are not unduly worried. This part of her treatment will go on for the next three weeks.

Words cannot express how delighted we are that we can now start to reduce her steroids. The steroids will be reduced over the next week and the side effects of the treatment should also gradually diminish. Catherine will take a number of weeks to lose the weight she has gained, but her moods should become more balanced soon. Even though we have experienced flashes of the old Catherine we know and love - the odd giggle and mischievous look - it has been hard to see the temporary personality changes and experience the sleep deprivation.

Please continue to pray that she remains infection-free. Her immune system will still be very low due to the chemotherapy drugs. Please also continue to pray that the side effects remain minimal and that she adjusts well to this phase of treatment.

We really have reached an important milestone. For those who have been praying, please be assured that it is unusual for a child not to have experienced an infection by this stage in treatment. Catherine has NOT experienced an infection, and for this we are grateful. She has therefore come through this difficult time relatively well. Thanks to God!