Making plans, booking flights

Today, I learned two very exciting and wonderful pieces of news.  First, that Phoebe's chimerism is 100% donor cells, and second that we are going to go home soon.  Phoebe's doctors gave us the okay to call the St. Jude travel office and organize flights out of Memphis.  We are currently booked on a morning flight, leaving Memphis on May 8th.  I am so excited. 

Seeing looks of pride, excitement and joy on the faces of Phoebe's doctors warms my heart and fills me with so much hope and happiness.  Hope for a future without this leukemia that has plagued us for so long.  Today our doctor told me that Phoebe's risk of relapse is really no bigger now than it would be if she were a year out from transplant, he also said that he thinks they have given her a very real chance at a cure.  She is doing so well, he said, as I knocked just a few times on the wooden door.  Only time will tell, but hearing these words spoken by a doctor who sees many things and treats many children who are high risk like
Phoebe, was simply wonderful.  And yes, they have given Phoebe a very real chance at a cure and a future.  And because this is true, they have given our family so much. 

Phoebe is doing very well and today she showed off some of her new skills.  She walked a few steps right into her doctors arms and even let him hold her.  She knows good people when she sees them. Now that she is more mobile she also took my hands and led me towards the door of the clinic.  She knows that we got good news today and was in a rush to leave and be on her way home. 

Today is day + 147, the future is bright, and we are packing our bags and preparing for our return HOME. 

 

Phoebe enjoying time in a canoe at the Target House.