Can I Get a Thousand!

Dr. Mitchell said if Erika's neutrophil count reaches at least 500, then during the duration of the induction phase (the phase she is currently in) she can spend the rest of her time at home with the use of home care. This Tuesday morning, her neutrophil count went from 300 to 1000. Tuesday afternoon Erika was released from the hospital. On Wednesday, home care nurses came to the house to show us how to inject certain medications through the skin and also through the central line. Erika is advised to stay home and to only leave the house when necessary with her mask on. Sorry, she can't drive down to visit.

Paid actress to represent home care nurses. Don't know about the old folks in the back. Why are they standing there? They need to sit down and relax.

This coming Tuesday, February the 5th, Erika will have her 3rd bone marrow biopsy, 4th spinal tap, and another MRI of her brain done. This day will be the last day of the Induction phase of chemotherapy. On Friday, February 8th, Erika will be admitted back into LDS Hospital to begin her 2nd phase of chemo called Consolidation. There are three parts of Consolidation, 1A, 1B, and 1C. If her bone marrow biopsy shows a high ratio of leukemia cells, they will start her on 1C, which is very aggressive (bone marrow biopsies weekly, two spinal taps weekly, and very high doses of chemo). Otherwise, if she is in remission (no evidence of leukemia or trace amounts of it) then she will begin with 1A and gradually go towards 1C, without the weekly bone marrow biopsy. Consolidation phase overall is aggressive. Yet, I fear not that her youth and body will overcome this phase. For now, we will enjoy our time at home like there is no tomorrow and party like a rock star...with her mask on.