Update on our Monday...

Here's a little about our day at the hospital...

Steph, Levi, and I arrived at Riley this morning around 8:30. There was some confusion on where we were actually supposed to be (we found out later that there was a surgery team waiting for us to show up at the downtown Riley campus at 10:30 am even though we were really supposed to be at the North campus at 1:30 for the surgery).

After arriving, we talked to the doctor and found out that he had done some more research over the weekend to find out what type of leukemia Levi has. When he called last Friday, he was pretty concerned about the preliminary diagnosis. After more tests were completed, he thinks now that Levi has a subtype of AML leukemia that is not as aggressive as originally thought. They performed some more blood tests, and found that his red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and other blood levels were normalizing. There was a big change for the better over last week's test results. This was great news.

Because the doctor had adjusted what he thinks Levi has, and because his blood tests were much improved, they decided that they did not want to put a central line in Levi. Instead, they decided to just do a bone marrow test, an additional skin biopsy, and a test on his spinal fluid for the sake of being thorough. The doctor says that the type of leukemia that Levi has will sometimes go away on its own. Although this is rare, we are praying for this outcome. He says that if the bone marrow and biopsy tests come back ok, he is not planning on starting chemo. Instead, he wants to watch the leukemia by performing regular blood tests and periodic bone marrow tests to see what it does. In short, there is no harm in waiting to see what happens.

Levi came through surgery just fine. He was a little ouchy after coming out of general anesthesia, but what can you expect - it is a lot for a little guy to go through two of these procedures in one week! He again went several hours (10 to be exact) without being able to nurse. He did so well, we are so proud of him. He just snuggled up and slept through most of the day. He is a tough little guy. Since they didn't put the central line in, we were able to come home tonight. It was so nice to be heading home to see our little girl rather than getting admitted and preparing for a long stay in the hospital! We should know more about the bone marrow biopsy results and additional genetic testing later this week.

We appreciate all of your prayers and support. We have received so many messages, emails, and texts that it is becoming impossible to answer all of them individually. God is teaching us a lot through this experience, especially to persevere, to be bold, to be thankful, and to consider all things joy. We need to remember that it is a privilege to be a part of His bigger plan. We are praying expecting Levi to be healed, and ask that you do the same.

Now, time to get some sleep...

Michael & Stephanie