Remission!
On Wednesday afternoon, while Luca was receiving his third round of treatment at Sloan, Dr. Shukla sent an email to Dr. Steinherz with the final, cytogenic-level results from last week's bone marrow test. Upon receiving the email, Dr. Steinherz ran from his office, burst into Luca's room, and gave Manal and Auntie Didi the news: Luca is officially in remission. Then he gave Manal a big hug. After a long grueling battle with rapidly spreading Leukemia and the first two rounds of chemotherapy, Luca does not have any cancer cells in his body.
We feel immensely blessed. Remission was by no means a given, and we truly believe that we wouldn't have gotten here without all of your love and prayers. We can't even begin to adequately show our gratitude. And, of course, we're enormously proud of Luca for his strength, strong will, and refusal to give up.
The plan moving forward is the same. Because AML is such an aggressive form of Leukemia, Luca will continue to receive treatment in order to maintain his remission. We'll be in and out of the hospital, where we've made so many new friends, for months to come. For now we though, we'll celebrate this giant step towards a cure. Way to go Luca!
What wonderful news !! My son & I have been praying for Baby Luca everynight. We are so thankful to hear he is in remission. God Bless !!
Posted by: Laurie Murray | June 03, 2008 at 09:20 PM
I'm so happy to read the good news!! What a beautiful and tough-spirited little boy you guys have! I've regularly been keeping up with your blog and have been moved on so many occasions by reading it. I feel SO happy for you guys that Luca's condition has immensely improved and pray that it will continue to do so.
Best,
Sayera
Posted by: Sayera Qasim | May 25, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Steve told me about your wonderful news! Your son's strength and determination are an inspiration - what an amazing little guy he is. Our prayers are with all of you - certainly getting some really positive news is the best news you can hear. Take care.
Posted by: Ginny and Bob Welcher | May 22, 2008 at 07:40 PM
What fantastic news! Congratulations to you, the medical team and of course, Luca! I hope 'remission' and 'cured' are the only words you have to hear from now on.
xoxo,
rosemarie
Posted by: rosemarie levy | May 22, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Every day is a gift! We are so happy for your family. You are incredible, your blog is inspiring and Luca is gorgeous in every picture (as is his mommy!) Our prayers follow you. Love Meghan & D - Balls
Posted by: Meghan Delehanty | May 21, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Remission is the greatest word in the English Language. Fantastic, wonderful news. The little man is a fighter.
Bless you guys,
Dan, Jessie, Maggie and Lila
Posted by: Dan Keating | May 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
hip, hip - hooray!! i am so, so happy! congratulations and hey luca...way to go man!
Posted by: Shannon Comer | May 20, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Great NEWS guys.
Posted by: daniel hurlburt | May 20, 2008 at 10:37 PM
YAY LUCA!!!!!!! We are so happy and thankful to God that you have turned the corner and can get back to the business of being a baby!!!! Love the Keatings
Posted by: Jess, Dan, Maggie and Lila Keating | May 20, 2008 at 11:23 AM
oh my!!!
this is so fantastic!! i could not be happier for the three of you.
i canNOT wait to meet you LUCA!!!
love you,
iloire
xo
Posted by: Iloire | May 19, 2008 at 09:39 PM
YAHOO!!! All of us at The Children's School are thrilled about this news!
Posted by: Steve Quester | May 19, 2008 at 06:22 AM
So great to hear! Can't wait to see you again and meet Luca. Such a beautiful baby.
Posted by: Jack and Sarah Lee O'Brien | May 18, 2008 at 01:46 PM
This morning I woke up not feeling very well and stressing about finals...then I saw this amazing news and it made my day a million times better!!! (and my moms too, since I called her at 7am! :P) Baby Luca, we knew you were strong from the beginning...God truly does have a plan for you.
Keep fighting and soon you will be the perfectly healthy little boy you were meant to be!
xoxo
Posted by: Jessica Jiries | May 16, 2008 at 10:50 PM
way to go buddy!glad to hear the good news. hoping to see you all soon.
love,
steve + matt
Posted by: steve w and matt b | May 16, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Manal, Greg, and Luca - Hooray! This is truly the best news. You've all fought so tirelessly and I can't imagine how hard this has been. You'll all continue to be in our prayers.
Beth, Brian, and Griffin
Posted by: Beth Gibson | May 16, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I am so excited that I can't even think straight!!!! What great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you all! I wish I was there to give Luca tons of hugs and kisses. What a good little boy he is!
Love you all!
Adelle, Erik, and Mila
Posted by: Adelle, Erik, and Mila | May 16, 2008 at 09:49 AM
We are so glad to hear this great news!!!! Best wishes from NC!
Posted by: Denise Jackson | May 16, 2008 at 09:40 AM
WOOHOOO!! This is fantastic!! We are so happy and proud of you all! You have worked so hard and are finally getting rewarded for it! We love you!
xoxo,
Marisa, Pete, and Otis
Posted by: Marisa | May 16, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Greg, Manal, and the little fighter Luca,
Remission! Finally here! It was such good news to hear that Luca is in remission. I know it brought a smile to my face, I could imagine how happy and proud you guys are: and well deserving of this wonderful moment. Luca and you guys are warriors and it's such an accomplishment. All the time, effort, and most of all love you guys have put in, you have recieved a gift from above. I'm so proud of you Greg, Manal, and Luca, you guys never gave up and look at how far you have come. Our prayers are going to continue to be with you in the future. You are always in our thoughts. Can't wait to see you guys again!
Love: James, Jim, Patty, Jennifer, & Janelle
Posted by: james | May 16, 2008 at 08:46 AM
I think we are all still grinning from ear to ear at hearing the good news (and will probably continue to do so!). I can't imagine how you guys feel. I can't tell you how many times yesterday I wanted to break into the dance and sing "go luca, it's your birthday!!!" Have a great weekend-I hope Luca's feeling good. Nice t-shirt!!
Posted by: Karen and Mark Henry | May 16, 2008 at 07:36 AM
YEAH!!!! YEAH!!!! YEAH!!!! YEAH!!!! This is the best news ever!! I can't wait till June 13th when we all come together to celebrate.-This is a perfect way to end your week. - I have a game that night, but I am going after to support my team for baby Luca. Keep up the GREAT fight. Love you always.
Love always to the three of you,
Nikky
Posted by: Michelle Cimino | May 16, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Greg and Manal
This is certainly the beginning of a miracle that we are sure will continue until God has restored Luca to perfect health. It has been a privilage to witness your strength, determination, unfailing love and Luca's strong will to survive. It is evident that God has had his hand upon Luca and those that serve to help him through his healing process. I believe Luca's miracle has extended beyond his physical healing. We all have gained a better appreciateion of the gift of love and life, and all have been drawn closer to God as we've prayed for his intervention in healing Luca. We continue to pray each day as your journey continues, because we know with God all things are possible. Keep Going Strong Luca, God Has A Plan For You, No Doubt.
Love and Prayers
Uncle Jim and Aunt Patty
Posted by: Uncle Jim and Aunt Patty | May 15, 2008 at 10:54 PM
We are so thrilled to hear the news!!!!! Thank you God.
Posted by: Rania & Chris Patsos | May 15, 2008 at 10:19 PM
What wonderful news!!
I will make sure to share it with the rest of the family.
You have always been in all our thoughts and prayers.
Hugs and kisses to the three of you!!!
Love,
Lauri, Kara and Mikey
Posted by: Lauri, Kara and Michael | May 15, 2008 at 09:27 PM
This is the best news ever, ever.. YEAH!!!
All of us are reading this and so excited and thrilled. I can't wait until we all come together on June 13th and celebrate and share this heartwarming story with everyone. Keep up the good fight Baby Luca, you are the strongest, bravest, and most precious baby ever. Greg and Manal, as always you'll continue to all be in our thoughts and prayers. You have no idea what a huge inspiration you all are.
Love, Hugs and Kisses,
Michelle, Alex, and the kids
Posted by: Michelle Cimino | May 15, 2008 at 09:12 PM