Phase 4, Here We Come!

Our boy made counts today!  We were warned that he might have a few delays before we were able to progress to Phase 4, but this was definitely not the case for Fionn.  His ANC today was actually above 1200 -- plenty of room to spare.  Way to go, little buddy!  Similarly, his platelets and hemoglobin looked divine.  He is in great shape to begin the last stage of treatment before we enter The Promised Land (a.k.a. Maintenance) which will last until October 2017.

Phase 4 is called Delayed Intensification.  Doesn't that sound lovely?  Just kidding.  I hate the name of it.  It sounds scary and awful.  And, from what our doctors tell us, it can be.  In comparison to the last two phases of treatment, this phase will be much harder.  So far, we have been so lucky.  Fionn seems to feel great all the time.  Great energy, great appetite.  He has been our same mischievous Fionny.  Our little spitfire. 

During this next phase, Fionn will be given every chemo med in their arsenal.  Although he has received all of these chemo meds before, he will now be given them in different combinations.  He will also resume the dreaded oral steroids this week, but at least it's only for 7 days at a time.  In terms of side effects to the meds, Fionn might feel like he has the flu a lot of the time.  He might feel nauseous.  He will most certainly lose his hair again.  He will experience neutropenia (low ANC) and probably some fevers too.  At the end of this phase, Fionn will have radiation on his brain.  I shudder every time I think about it.  Radiation on my little boy's brain.  How can any parent feel comfortable with that?  I have talked to Fionn's doctors so many times about this.  Really?  Does he have to have it?  Is there any way around it?  The answer is always the same.  "No, Casey.  No.  He has to have it."  You see, leukemia cells like to "hide" in the brain (and in the spine which is why Fionn has had a zillion spinal infusions of chemo).  So, as much as I hate the idea of the radiation, it will happen.  Obviously, it is preferable to leukemia cells in my boy's brain. 

Fionn just returned to the room after his spinal tap.  All is well.  I'll update more later this week.