Heading back to Vancouver...

Noah went for blood work today and was given the green light to begin treatment on Friday. He needed to have enough white blood cells and specifically a certain kind of white blood cells called neutrophils, the cells that fight infection. I guess they need his blood counts to reach a certain threshold before they go about killing them all with chemo again, so he isn't left with none and open to any infection.
It is really quite amazing what they have figured out, in terms of treatment; we are amazed every time we learn something new to us- we think,"wow, how did they figure that out???" Even the fact that 40 years ago, no one survived Leukemia; there was no treatment at all, but now 90% of kids with A.L.L. are CURED. Cool eh?
Again, I have mixed feelings about all of this: it will be difficult to leave Tom and the girls tomorrow morning, but I am kind of anxious to get this part of our lives going so it will be over faster. (I still can't wrap my mind around 3 years yet....) I think this phase will be the most difficult in terms of time away from our family. This phase is 57 days long with a week break in the middle (which should be sometime in the 2nd week of May) and then 29 more days until it is finished around June 4.
Thank you to all of you who came by, stopped me for a hug at school, church, in the store, at the post office, and who dropped off cards and gifts, etc. We appreciate every one of your thoughts and prayers. We are feeling so thankful for you all, for being so blessed and supported by our community, so thank you very much! Terrace CRC Sunday School even sent a card and a gift! (Thanks, Maria!)
Well, I am not quite finished packing, so I should get going... I will post again on Friday night. ttfn,
Stacey