Official Diagnosis and Treatment Plan...

After getting the bone marrow results back our team of doctors shared with us that Cooper without a doubt has Leukemia.

For those of you with medical background or knowledge the official type is "SR B-ALL" which stands for "standard risk b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia." Thankfully the cancer has not reached his spinal fluid or his blood stream yet (THANK YOU JESUS!!) but it's about 80% in his bone marrow.

As I've learned through this experience so far, nothing ends up happening as planned. We had planned on a couple days of rest but once they told us the results, they jumped on getting his chemo started right away. It felt like another whip lash and I am also grateful we can say day one is DONE and only 911 more days to go. (Yes I've done the math, have my calendar out and ready to start knocking this out!).

You may have already figured it out. His treatment plan is for 2 1/2 years. There are 6 phases he will need to get through before he can get his port out and be considered cancer free! The road ahead feels daunting and we will have to come back down to Children's at Anschutz twice a week for the foreseeable future.

During those visits, he will have lots of bloodwork taken, chemo, spinal taps and more bone marrow aspirations. Hearing of what we will need to do I asked the question, "How many times during this journey will he have to be put to sleep?" Not sure I should've asked that question as what I received was a sad, concerned look and the answer was, "way more than you even want to know." :(

Both David and I feel a little relieved just knowing the actual facts and having a plan to heal our boy.

In the midst of our worst nightmare I've been so dang grateful for David and how he has shown up raw, real, supportive, encouraging, understanding and fighting for the best care for our son. Currently, as I am writing this, I am in the hotel room across the street. The first time I've left the hospital. Just had my first shower in 5 days and a little quiet time to process and breathe. And it's because he forced me to... okay okay, not forced but "highly encouraged." I think I needed this time more than I even realized. He knew I needed it though.

I am not suprised one bit that it was David's hand that Cooper requested to hold during his first offical round of chemo. That was the most scared I have seen Cooper yet through this experience. He needed his dad's strength to let him know he will make it through it, that he is not alone and that's it's okay to be scared. To witness that, was a beautiful gift in a terrifying moment.

I felt like in that moment God was doing the same thing for me. He gently was whispering to my heart, "Brittany, just hold onto my hand. I got you, it will be my strength to get you through this, you are not alone, I am right here."

Please keep praying big bold prayers for our Cooper!