Good News!

Hannah had an appointment today that we thought was going to start Phase 5. This phase should have lasted two months with us going for appointments every ten days (her next appointment being the day after Christmas). Just before she was sedated for her procedure today, her doctor came into our room and told us that they had given us the wrong schedule and that Hannah started Maintenance today. This is wonderful news! Everyone we have met counts down the days to Maintenance. During this time she will only have to go for appointments once a month. She will continue this same schedule until she is done with all of her treatments in about a year and a half. Maintenance doesn't mean that she is through. She will still have regular lumbar punctures, IV chemo, steroids and two oral chemos, but it will be great for her to not have to go to the hospital every week. We were thrilled when her doctor told us this news! I can't tell you how relieved I am that these past few months (especially the last two) are behind us! It finally feels like we have made a big step towards her recovery. For the first time I can see a small light at the end of the tunnel!

Since this was a very special day for us, we decided to celebrate by going to the Georgia Aquarium. (We have never been). Hannah loved it. The dolphin show was her favorite. It felt so strange to have her out in public, around crowds of people. I had to keep telling myself that her counts are up and that her doctor said it was okay to be there.