April 16, 2019

Dear Ones, Following the bone marrow biopsy yesterday, Dr. Bhave and her team returned today to review the success of the treatment plan so far and to let us know the plan for moving forward. The plan is to completely eradicate 100% of the leukemia cells and then further down the road onto stem cell/bone marrow transplant later in the spring/summer.

The news was good, but not all we wanted it to be. Because 10%ish of the leukemia cells remain, MM will need 2 more rounds of chemo tomorrow and Friday. The earliest she will be able to leave in-patient from Wake Forest Baptist Health will be 5/16. Ron came to see her tonight (and to see me) and said it is hard to be patient, but that is just what we need to be. It will take time to win this battle...and she will! She is actually doing very well and each day she finds ways to make the staff belly laugh! Really! You know her and know how absolutely hysterical she can be...the staff are also beguiled by her sweetness and drawn to come by and be with her and check on her. It is who she is and they love her!

Kevin and I are working out our schedules to be with her. This is a bittersweet time. Bitter because of the stupid disease she is fighting and sweet because we are together:):):) As she says, she is in the fight of her life and we are in it with her. All of us! Keep sending cards and messages on Facebook. Humor is our best friend and when she isn't resting and they aren't messing with her medically, we are reading your notes, messages, jokes and well wishes! Please send as often as you can through any method...CaringBridge, Facebook, texts and email at mtwowood@gmail.com. Other news is that I was not a match-grrrrr!!!! I really wanted to be, BUT, the great news is that there are 4 10 out fo 10 matches in the donor bank. So, when she is ready, there are donor matches waiting for her!!! Keep us all in your prayers. Love, Love, Love, Meg