Fuller than a Tick

Day 27 of 1,278

I know, we've mentioned this this a number of times already, but Carson, aka 'roid boy, hasn't exactly been great to be around. It's just that the change in his behavior has been so dramatic...and it keeps getting worse! How can a fun loving, energetic boy turn into Dr. Evil so quickly? The boy is mean...especially these past few days. (Francesca, be glad you are in Texas and don't have to suffer this!)

And its not just been his behavior. He looks so different, too. If the police were to stop us, they'd probably think we were hiding contraband in his cheeks. No joke...they are that huge! Not even the stay-puff marshmallow man can top this! And it's not just his cheeks. All of his shirts are skin tight...they barely cover his stomach. In addition to all the medical expenses, are we now going to need a whole new wardrobe? Hopefully not.

The end appears to be in sight...at least for this. Tomorrow is the last day of steroids!! We are already doing the happy dance around the living room! (Yeah, we may be celebrating a tad bit early, but right now we don't care.)

In the food world they call him the Terminator. Follow Carson as he goes to the doctor, gets good news, then heads to the place of his dreams - Joe's Pizza - to demolish the lunch buffet.

For lunch today we headed to Joe's Pizza. Carson has been talking...no...PLEADING to go there for the past week. Today he got his wish. His blood work came back with a green light to be around other people, so we headed out for a change. Carson spent an hour grazing the lunch buffet. Think we are exaggerating about how much he can eat? Check out the video above and watch the people come and go at the tables in the background.

In medical news, we had an appointment this morning for blood work at the clinic. Everything was good. No...everything was EXCELLENT. No transfusions were needed.

We go to the hospital on Monday for bone marrow and spinal fluid tests. One of the tests with the bone marrow is called the Minimum Risidual Disease test (MRD). This will be the last test used to determine the next treatment protocol. Pray that the MRD test comes back less than 0.1%. This will put Carson squarly in the Rapid Early Responder bracket.

Even with an MRD less than 0.1%, Carson will still be in the intermediate to high risk category. This is the best we can hope for. We know we will not be in the "Low" category because of his super high white blood cell count at diagnosis. And there is only one more category more severe, and that is for cases that are not in remission.

Above all, keep praying for Carson's excellent response to the medication. The doctors continue to be amazed...and we aim to please.

Thanks for the comments and emails...and keep them coming. They are a great encouragement!

Go Carson!!

Paul.