What is Induction Chemotherapy?

Wednesday February 1, 2012 (Chemo Day 15)

Induction Chemotherapy:
Carl was started on induction chemotherapy. The goal of induction therapy is to bring the disease into remission. Remission is when the patient's blood counts return to normal and bone marrow samples show no sign of disease. Induction therapy is usually very intense and lasts about one month. After induction chemotherapy, the next step most likely will be transplant. Remission is a term that doctors frequently use with patients and it refers to the response of the cancer to the therapy. Complete  remission means that the cancer has completely disappeared with the treatment. Remission does not mean that the patient is cured. Blast cells are baby cells that prevent adult cells from doing what they are suppose to do. The way that this is tested is through a Bone Marrow screening. Carl had his second bone marrow on Tuesday. Today we were informed that there is NO blast cells in his bone marrow. What this means is that the chemotherapy is working and there currently is not bad cells in his blood not allowing his good cells to work. Now his good cells are going to work on developing still. He is also continuing his chemotherapy. He will continue to get bone marrow tests done to continue to monitor the blast cells....

So Again.... in case you missed it before...


CARL HAS ZERO BLAST CELLS IN HIS BLOOD... THIS IS THE SHOWING THAT THE CHEMO IS WORKING AND HIS BODY IS WORKING ON DEVELOPING THE GOOD CELLS!!!!


WAHOO!!!!

As soon as we got this news, Carl crawled into bed and took a long nap. I think that he is releaved from the great news and was able to finally sleep. Tonight we went for a walk around the hospital and are headed to bed a little early... Not a busy night so we should be able to get some sleep. Tomorrow Big Carl, Pam, Grandma P and Aunt Marlene are headed up to see Carl.