THIS JUST IN TODAY...EMMET UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday morning,

"Made the turn" is the phrase we heard yesterday on Emmet's situation. It is what we have been hoping for. He continues in good spirits and is wanting to do a little work out in the physical therapy department this morning. We anticipate him coming home Friday afternoon. Elizabeth arrives that evening and we are both so excited to see her.

Here is what I think I currently know.
Emmet has been diagnosed with Acute Graft vs. Host Disease. As scary as that sounds, it is better than Chronic GvHD. This is being considered a "one and only episode" and a mild case at that. After 9 days in the hospital it is amazing what some others go through. Emmet did have to go to a second tear of drugs because he was not responding to the steroids. As good as they can make him feel, they were not fixing the problem, and he can only be on them for so long.

Emmet has also agreed to a double blind study, (double meaning neither he nor the doctor will know if he is getting a placebo or not). The study adds an enhancement to the second tear medication. Two thirds of those in the study will have it, one third will have the placebo. This study was highly recommended by our doctor. The downside to it is the time commitment. Emmet will be at Anderson for about 4 hours twice a week. We feel so fortunate to be handy to such a great cancer center, and advancement in all things cancer need to be explored, so he agreed.

They inserted a vein catheter in his arm to ease some of the ordeal of infusions. It will remain in about 6 weeks. He is used to having one at his collar bone area and thinks this will be better. At least this way he doesn't have to be poked each time they want blood or to give medication. He did spend about 4 days on clear liquids and can now start adding new but soft foods. There is just so much bullion and jello he can handle. It will be so good to be home. For me to, although I do not spend the night at the hospital. Neither one of us seems to sleep very well and this way we can flip around as we like with out disturbing the other.

Once again you have all carried us through a tough time. We are so grateful.
Love, Jennie


More pictures from the Saturday lunch in the mountains

As always click to make them bigger and check out the post after this
for more.