4

Bear with me and my variables for one more post. x is = to almost one and y came in at 1.35, so z is just about 4! We'll take it. I remember 4 was the goal for our first collection back in TX. Back then we doubled it, but this time we just made it.

As for the value of a, that's a little unclear. It depends on what therapy we may try. 4 is enough for basically one or two rescues. One if it is a particularly harsh trial, two if it is something like, lower dose MIBG... If that makes any sense. It puts one or two big treatment options back on the table. Hans did it! It was tough, but he did it. I've been emotional about this - because it is such a big draining ordeal. I think Hans did better than I did! But I'm also emotional about the larger mystery of it all. Here we landed in the lap of this new oncologist with progressing disease. She has rolled up her sleeves and gone to work as if she's been caring for him from day 1. She said that this stem cell harvest might not work, but that she had a good feeling about it. She wanted to try. It is an incredible feeling to have someone stick their neck out there for your boy. I'm wiped out, but am feeling so very good and grateful about it all.

The rest of our weekend by the numbers:
Hans and his dad are sure to select at least 4 Lego kits as a reward for the "4" banked cells.
2 - 3 the number of 'playoff' soccer games Elle has over the next 2 days.
40 - the number of hours we get to enjoy at home before returning to LA for a
3- day 2/3rds dose of ICE. We expect to get discharged Wednesday!

Hans is looking forward to helping Kev cook the turkey. He reminded me the other day, as we are in the middle of stem cell harvest all hooked up in the Day Hospital, "Mom, we need to get the turkey by Saturday. It has to thaw for five days." He actually remembered that from previous years and was planning it out in his head. I told him I would have had to Google that. He and Kev are going to go pick it out today.