The good news express....

I was worried we hadn't heard from Dr. Griffiths about the biopsy results and e-mailed her this morning between tests.....Her response is posted here in its entirety:

Dear Chip,

I think a copy of the report is worth a thousand words:

DICOMO,PATRICIA E SP# 643JHH MR # 94-83 LOC: 379
SPECIMEN TAKEN: 06/08/2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------FINAL DIAGNOSIS ----------- Pathologist: CHRISTOPHER D. GOCKE, M.D.1) BONE MARROW (BIOPSY): ADEQUATE BIOPSY WITH NOEVIDENCE OF LEUKEMIA. NOTE: The bone marrow biopsy consists large of cortical bone,hemorrhage and fibrin with very scant marrow elements. The accompanying aspirate shows an M:E ratio of approximately 2:1. All normal hematopoietic elements are present and show normal maturation.No dysplasia is noted. Megakaryocytes are identified in usual
numbers. There is no evidence of leukemia. Flow cytometry studies, reported in detail separately, show no phenotypic abnormality.

Enjoy your trip home and come back ready for the transplant. I am sure that I don't need to tell you that I'm overjoyed to be able to tell you this. We can only hope that things will continue to look this good!
Best,
Elizabeth Griffiths.

I e-mailed her back saying, it was worth a thousand words and a bucket full of tears.

We will go into the hospital tomorrow, just to have Trish's PICC line removed. We will head to the airport and back to Florida. Trish will get to be in Florida through the 28th of June. We'll do consents for the transplant on the 29th, she'll have a new central line (Hickmann) placed on July 1,2, or 3rd and pre-transplant chemo will start on July 4th. The actual transplant is slated to happen on July 10th. We're not out of the woods yet...still lots of not so good things that can happen along the way. BUT this is great news! News we had hoped to hear much earlier this year and are very greatful to be hearing it now and thankful for the prayers and support that we have received from so many people. People we know well and people we have never met. Your love and support help us get through each and every day. Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not, not call the house or think twice about visiting Trish while she is home. PLEASE DO call and visit. Trish will likely be tired and have to limit her activity, but she does want to see folks while she is back in Florida. I know she is planning on stopping by the ROCK (have a box of tissues handy).

See you soon.