After waiting anxiously the last few days for Rachel's results on her last bone marrow aspiration, we got good news. The doctor said that there is no evidence of malignancy in her marrow...and that her marrow looks healthy! Hooray! Basically, this means that the oral chemo that she has been taking at home for a week before coming back to the hospital did it's job targeting the gene in her cancer cells that tends to be resistant to treatment.
We will continue her IV chemo through Friday and then resume the oral chemo here in the hospital while we wait for her white counts to come back up. Even though Rach has been pretty miserable on the current chemo, she was very excited about today's good news! Every cloud has a silver lining, eh?
We feel so blessed with recent support from our family, friends and the community. During difficult times in our lives we look around and see so many who are spreading sunshine! Today Rachel received a package from a family whose 5 year old daughter just got diagnosed with leukemia. She opened it and found pictures of this darling girl, words of encouragement, pictures she'd drawn, and lots of fun surprises for Rachel! Since Rachel's packages lately consist of syringes and medical supplies, you can imagine how exciting it was to receive something like this....and it was from someone she doesn't even know! Thanks to this amazing family and so many others of you who have quietly been rendering acts of service these past few months. We will be forever grateful!
Tonight there is one mom who will be sleeping just a little better...
--Marie
Hooray!! It was good to see you guys today.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I'm tearful in a very happy and fantastic way!! What wonderful news. We're sending lots of love and hugs your way! This is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteYay! I am so happy :) Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThat is great news!! Yeah!!! I hope you both get a good rest tonight--you deserve it! Thanks for sharing the good news Marie. Love you both!
ReplyDeleteOh I was so excited to see a new post and especially to hear the great news. I have been checking everyday for the update. I am so happy!! Tomorrow we will be thinking of you Rachel -- we play Mt View and the Lehi team is wearing orange ribbons in their hair and thinking of you and how awesome you are (and possibly how much easier it will be to play Mt. View without you on their team!) I will still rather see you slam it to the floor even if it was on our side of the floor. Hang in there! Love Ya
ReplyDeleteSuch great news...what we have been praying for...that the medicine would find the right cells and kick their butts!! Ha Ha...love that counsel to "pray specifically for what you need"!! Love you!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you. We pray for you all always. Stay tough and eat. Love you
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing! We will keep praying for more to come your way.
ReplyDeletePrayers are answered. We've been celebrating since we found out about the oral chemo's success. So glad you got good news this time! Love to all!
ReplyDeleteElder Tom Walsh--serving in South Africa writes: "I'm sorry to hear about Rachel Steele. Some people in this life are just so good and the only trials God can give them are trials of health. I'll be praying for her."
ReplyDeleteWe are all praying for you Rachel.
Vic, Mindy, Andrew, and Tom Walsh
YEAH!!!! Great news guys. You guys are amazing parents, and Rachel is an amazing young woman. You all are in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteLove, Momma G
Rachel it was so great to see you last week at the Mtn. View/Orem volleyball game. Can't wait to see you next year out on the court doing some damage. I also enjoyed our chat at Tanner's baseball game last week. You are amazing and an inspiration to us all. What great news! Tia checks every day to see if there are updates and fills us in on what's happening. We are praying for you every day and know that prayers are answered!
ReplyDeleteHang in there and remember to stay "Steele Strong".
Dale and Caren Martinez
Thank heavens, The news is great. I am so thankful are prayers were heard. Stay strong we are praying for you.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME NEWS!! Go Rach!!!! Whitney prays for Rachel every family prayer -- now we have Zane doing it too. The other night he said..."Who's Rachel anyway?!" Good times!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing news! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! This is such great news!!! Congrats Rachel!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic news!!! I thank those scientists who helped you in a new way with new meds!! Prayers answered. I'm so glad to hear the silver linings; thanks for keeping us updated. You are an inspiration for so many of us, and now are even touching the lives of strangers with your attitude of gratitude and optimism. The little things do count. It's great to be a part of such a large cheerleading team. Go Orange! Go Steelestrong!
ReplyDeleteRachel;
ReplyDeleteYou don't know who I am but I wanted to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me. I came upon your blog while reading another friend of mine's who has cancer; I read your entire blog in one sitting. Hearing your story and the amazing support you have is truly amazing! I felt like I needed to let you know that your story has made me want to become a better person, it has changed my life. Thank you so much for your strength and I wish you luck in all your future endeavors.