Grace's FINAL Spinal Tap!

Though we're a bit behind, Grace had her FINAL spinal tap on Friday, September 10. It was a big day. She had chemo-receiving Vincristine, a spinal tap to receive her Inthrathecal Methotrexate (a chemotherapy directly injected into her spinal column to break through the blood/brain barrier and protect her brain from getting Cancer), and another bone marrow aspirate. The bone marrow test was done to ensure that no more Cancer has returned. As many know, Grace was hospitalized over the fourth of July because of a virus. That virus caused her to have a new condition known as ITP (Immuno Thrombocytopenia Purpura), which causes spontaneous bleeding, insane bruising and petichiae (little blood spots on her skin). Her doctor decided to do another bone marrow test just to make sure there were no other culprits in terms of her ITP, but thankfully all is well and she is Cancer free! We can hardly believe it, but next month she officially ends her two and a half year course of chemotherapy for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. On October 8, we are going to be singing all new praises as she has her last hospital therapy and then on October 16 she will take her last dose of home chemotherapy. It's hard to believe that day is just around the corner. I'm not even sure how to feel about it, quite honestly. It's just hard to believe. One thing is for sure-we're looking forward to watching Grace play like a child should play. And though two years of Chemotherapy has in many ways robbed her of childishness, it has replaces those little fancies with much bigger abilities. Grace is stronger than our whole 30 years of experience combined. I guess she proved Robert Frost right in his sentiment that "The best way out is always through!" Cancer fears you, Grace!