Josie Himmelberg

AML Update

Hello!

Today my doctor confirmed that the results of my second bone marrow biopsy show that the initial round of chemotherapy seems to have wiped out the Leukemia cells in my body.

I am still in the hospital while my neutrophils (bacteria fighting parts of my white blood cells) recover. The doctor is hopeful that I will be able to be discharged from the hospital sometime within the next week or so.

After that, there is still the lengthy outpatient process of returning to the hospital for short scheduled sessions of chemotherapy and an eventual bone marrow transplant – but the initial and most frightening part of this journey seems to be over.

I will not be considered “cured” for several years, but I am grateful my body has responded well to chemotherapy. I am most excited to get outside and breathe some fresh air, and will not be taking any part of life for granted anymore.

Thanks for everyone who has sent me kind messages and comments – and thank you for taking the time to read my post. I appreciate you all!