40 per cent clear

it was a day at the hospital yesterday - no more home time. Her next lumbar punch was scheduled and they gave her the sedative but seemed to have forgot about the lumbar punch itself so at least she slept well.

good news is that so far the results of all the tests from the biopsies and lumbar punches have come back clear. There were 2 tests from the bone marrow biopsy (1 come back clear, another still to come) and 2 tests from the spinal fluid (1 clear, 1 to come) and the bone sample is still to come back. This was sort of expected as she wasnt showing any symptoms that the disease was in her blood system

In Shanean's ward this time was a 19 year old girl named Jocelyn. Shanean had met her before during the first round of treatment in October 2009 so they could catch up and compare notes. Jocelyn was diagnosed the same time as Shanean, but unfortunately the treatment wouldnt work for her - where as Shanean was getting clear scans, Jocelyn's disease kept growing and growing. They still gave her a bone marrow transplant despite not being in the clear, but unfortunately it didnt work and Jocelyn died last night from complications from the transplant and the disease spreading into her bones and lungs

Its strange how individuals respond so differently to treatment for the the exact same disease. Put in perspective it seems Shanean is one of the lucky ones

After the next lumbar punch Shanean has a couple of days before the next set of chemo, so she is hoping she can come home in between. In theory she could be discharged, but they wont do that because she would lose her bed - so she can spend the day at home but would have to go back in the evening