Medical update

Jack continues to respond well to his chemotherapy regimen. The medical staff closely monitors his hemoglobin levels to gauge whether a transfusion might become necessary, as the powerful drugs that kill cancer cells destroy healthy blood cells as well. Early last week, Jack's hemoglobin level was only 198. It jumped to 400 last Thursday and at the beginning of his fourth week of chemo on Monday, it neared 900. Hooray! So far, another blood transfusion has not been necessary.

In other news, Jack appears to be warming up to his weekly appointments at The Valerie Fund Children's Center. Last week he happily accepted the bagel his doctor offered to him (no surprise there, right?!), and the other day, when the Child Life Specialist invited Jack to play, he took her hand, turned, and waved goodbye to Damond without hesitation. That simple event was a major milestone in Jack's treatment, and demonstrates his positive adjustment to the new reality he has found himself in. To know he can enjoy a "play date" at the hospital makes the weekly trips easier for him, and his family, to handle.