Wednesday 7/20/11

From Jon's Mom using Anne's very cool computer :)

Today was a good day! We received lots of encouraging news.  Dr. Rosenburg, the National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch Chief, told Jon today, "Our goal is to get rid of this completely...you will be getting the most effective treatment...this is the best chance the world has ever seen..."  That is just wanted what we wanted to hear!

Jon will be having surgery tomorrow to rectify the fluid issue in his lungs and get a tissue sample for Jon's potential therapy.  He will have a 5-7 day recovery and begin his treatments in about 4 weeks.  It's called Cell Transfer Therapy and was developed here at NIH.  According to Dr. Rosenburg, "it's the best treatment available today."  Very simply, it involves generating cells from Jon's own cells to grow up and put back in his body to fight the cancer.

Jon's been walking today, eating more, and he even took a "shower."  He has an amazing "drill sergeant" nurse named Michelle that we just love.  She keeps Jon up and moving.  We are confident in his doctors and feel that he is getting wonderful care here.

His surgery is at 9am tomorrow...please keep him in your prayers.  We will try to give you an update tomorrow afternoon to let you know that he's out of surgery and recovering!  Thank you all again for all your prayers, encouraging words, support, and many acts of kindness.  We are so grateful!