We're Number ONE!

We got some great news today! Spectacular, actually. Remember that number from Friday's biopsy that we wanted to be low? How about ONE PERCENT! Yes, our Georgia Girl has amazed us all yet again as the percentage of leukemia cells in her bone marrow dropped - more like plummeted - from 60 to 1, with one week of treatment. Incredible!

What this means in the immediate future is that Georgia will not have another bone marrow biopsy until the all-important Day 29, when we want that percentage number to be a big fat ZERO. That same day, her bone marrow will also be tested for Minimal Residual Disease - leukemia cells that somehow avoided detection in the biopsies. The results of these two tests will show if she is a Rapid or Slow Early Responder, which determines the next phase of her treatment.

So while we are thrilled beyond measure with today's results, we know, and were reminded by Dr. Neff, that this is just the first positive step in a long journey. While "getting rid" of the present leukemia cells is paramount, keeping them gone takes up the majority of the treatment plan. So keep those prayers, healing thoughts, and good vibrations coming because we can feel them and see them making a huge difference in Georgia's progress!

What else can you do? Well, I'm glad you asked because Georgia has been chosen to be the Honored Hero of our new friend Will's Team in Training - a fundraising effort in conjunction with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Will is riding in a 100 mile bike race from Austin to Shiner, TX in May, and he and his wife, Dianna, wanted to honor Georgia by participating and raising funds in her name. If you feel so inspired, click on Will's picture in the sidebar to the right, and it will take you to his Team in Training page, where you can learn about Will and make a donation to help fight ALL and other blood cancers. You're not only helping Georgia get better, but you're helping her help other kids get better, too - and she is just as determined about that as she is about her own recovery. Go Georgia! Go Will! Go DONATE! : )