I think I am coming to terms with the plan Dr. Finlay and Dr. Etzl have for Asher's treatment. No word directly from Finlay via email (and no answer or call back at his office), but we have talked more with the clinic nurse and Dr. Etzl. Since Asher has (we believe) no visible tumor, two rounds of chemo plus one at the end that "kills everything" is "plenty" before transplant. That is what the doctors discussed and what they believe makes sense. I think it is making sense to me, too.

We have not done radiation to date. I hope to never do radiation. But, since we have not done it, it is still an option.

Transplant is not a once-in-a-lifetime thing. If Asher's tumor / cancer would come back, and another transplant was recommended, if he did not have enough of his own stem cells we could go to other sources. I've already decided we will be keeping / banking our newest baby's cord blood; baby is due in late July 2007. I'll never forget the four times my OB asked if I wanted to bank Aubree's cord blood and how I said no each time and how I wondered why she was asking so much and why she never asked with Asher or Alexa....I'm not sure how much it costs, but add it to the costs we have to save our son's life. Priceless, as far as I am concerned. The money will come from somewhere.

I think I have come to terms with everything....1 1/2 more days before we begin....till then, only one night left of 2006. A year that has brought a lot of pain, a lot of joy, a lot of miracles, and a lot of love. I am filled with tears as I let go of the 2006 pain and begin 2007 with hope.

Happy New Year to everyone reading!