Alright, here's the news.

Sorry that took so long...we were getting from one part of the hospital to the next and Mark was saying goodbye to the kids. He will now not see them for at least 30 days....

Here's the scoop.

We were told this morning by BLOOD test results that Mark has CMML which was the 70% prognosis from Friday. This evening however, our oncologist, Dr. Caton came to see us and said "I have great news!". Turns out the Blood MARROW test showed NOT CMML but AML which is Acute Myelomoncytic leukemia. The doctor was VERY happy about this. He said this is MUCH better than the former as it could be completely curable through chemo. Here's what we're looking at:

Mark has AML M4. There are 3 different possibilities of strain....

1. Normal or Neutral - 25-30% chance of blasting it and curing it the first try.
2. Inversion 16 - 50-60% chance of blasting it and curing it on the first try.
3. Advers Chromosone - 5-10% chance of blasting it and curing it on the first try.

Now you know why the urgent prayer request for Inversion 16!!!!

The treatment is the same starting out no matter which of these strands Mark has. It is at follows.

The next two days will be prepping. They are running more tests on him to see which one of these we're facing. They will be inserting a chest cathedar for insertion of the chemo meds. they are doing some heart tests (mugascan) to make sure it's pumping the way it should etc. On day three they are starting AGGRESSIVE chemo. For 7 days he will receive meds. Then for 7 MORE days will be a resting period. On day 14 they will do another bone marrow test to see if that did it. (see above stats!!). If that test comes back normal they will watch him for an additional 14 days here in the hospital and then test his blood with a CBC (complete blood count). If those come back normal....OUR BOY IS IN REMISSION!!!!!! Now you see why the stats from above are crucial and to pray for Inversion 16. That 50-60% looks AWESOME to us!!!

We also learned tonight that what we THOUGHT he had...the CMML....only has an average of 8 months survival!!! WOW if we had known that we woulda been FREAKING OUT, so praise GOD in keeping that info from us until we knew it was different!

Now...IF for some reason the first blast doesn't do it. We will go again. Another round of the above. If THAT doesn't do it, then we are back to square one and looking for the donor for the Blood marrow transplant. BUT...WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THERE!!! We are gonna knock this puppy out, first go! RIGHT? RIGHT!

So get those prayers out there you guys! We love you SO MUCH!! And by the way. Mark saw the kids briefly tonight for the last time for 30 days. It was super hard for him. They will be with my mom and will have a normal schedule, but if anyone wants to call and chat with them, i'm sure they'd LOVE it!!! :)

THanks all for everything and we love you!!!!!

ALSO...Mark wants to thank you all for the prayers for the 30% chance it wasn't the CMML. Guess what guys? We beat the odds!! You did it and we are SO blessed to have you all in our circle!!! Keep it up!!!