MRD Negative
John J. Hagen
May 18th, 2012 - Consolidation Day 2
The most beautiful news was delivered this morning, MRD NEGATIVE! That means there are no signs of Leukemia in John’s body.
Thank you St. Jude. Thank you Dr. Pui, Miss Martha May, Miss Justine, Miss Amy, A Clinic, Medicine Room and inpatient nurse! You all are miracle workers.
Thanks be to GOD. Thank you all so much for faithfully praying for John. The love, support and prayers have held Rich, John, Isabella & I up for the last 53 days. We love and appreciate all of you!
What’s next? A 2 3/4 year treatment protocol to make sure that the Leukemia does not come back. We began phase 2 (Continuation) of the protocol yesterday. This phase is 8 weeks long. He will receive 4 “high” dose Methotrexate chemotherapy treatments, 1 HDMTX treatment every 14 days. He will need to be inpatient (at St. Jude) for all treatments. In addition he will take 6MP a daily chemotherapy pill. John will be able to spend some time at home in between these treatments. If counts permit he may be able to sneak in some visits with friends :) Then, on to Phase 3 (continuation), 2 1/2 years of weekly chemotherapy treatments, daily chemotherapy (6MP) plus the dreaded steroids. The first 30 weeks of Continuation phase are going to be rough (we do the Induction phase over 2 times plus other aggressive treatments). We’ll need to be in Memphis for a large part of the initial part of phase 3. Whatever it takes! We’ll provide more details as things unfold.
We are bringing John home next week for a short visit. We can’t wait to reunite our family!
John Hagen you inspire me! UNSTOPPABLE DETERMINATION!
Love,
Kathy
Reader Comments (12)
Wonderful news. What an amazing family you all are, such an inspiration. John has put up such a brave fight. Unstoppable Determination was a very accurate phrase to pick. We are proud of you all, we have missed you and can't wait to see you.
We love you.
The Cahills
What wonderful news! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! John, Kathy and Rich, I know what a relief this is for all of you. John - God is holding you in his arms and he has amazing plans for you. Stay strong. Love and prayers always, Andrea (John Ford's Mom)
Mrs. Harrigan told us the great news today. We were excited to hear that. In school we wear our Unstoppable Determination shirts.
Now I have your website. I can write to you.
Last week we did the concert in school. We messed up on the first piece "Windsong." I think the Trombones were late in entering the piece. Eventually we got back on track. The next day we went to Carowinds to perform there. There were judges that gave a rating of poor, fair, good, excellent, and superior. We got Superior. We were very happy. We just had time to do 1 ride with Jonathan, Daniel V, and my dad. We did the Gold Rush. Have you been to Carowinds? Do you like rollercoasters? My Mom was so scared she didn't go with us.
I think you are very brave.
Rafael
What amazing news!!! Great job John!! We knew you could do it, keep up the good work and we will see you back home soon. Wishing you love and strength, The Davis Family
We are all smiles here! Great news! Thanks be to God!
The Shultzes
Great news we have been praying for you and your whole family. Keep that indominable spirit strong. Barney sends you a big sloppy kiss and says he hopes you get well soon so you can play with him.
Praise God! Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you. I am here and ready to help in anyway. xxoo Cynthia
Amazing news! We are all overjoyed! Way to go John!
God has heard and answered everyone's prayers!!! We will continue to pray for John's good health :-) I am so happy for The Hagen Family!! God Bless
Hi John!!!
Yayyyy...What an amazing news!!!
I do not know you but I've met through this website that your parents write. Believe me when I tell you how many times I have had desires to mourn reading your story and updates. But Mother's Day could not help myself and cried and cried for the beautiful letter your mom wrote to you and your sister. Remember that the greatest pain of a mother is seeing a child suffer. I have 2 ... Sebastian, he's 9 and plays tennis at Blakeney Swim & Racquet Club. Through the club we know what happened to you. And Adriana, she's 10 months. So you can imagine the pain your mom feels I did mine too. We are Catholic and attended St. Matthews. And I always pray for you, for your health and your family. Want to know something? I’m 45 yrs. old and only had Sebastian. I was desperate to have another baby. I prayed to God and the Virgin Mary over and over again. I did it with faith, devotion, love ... They listened to me or maybe they did not wanted to hear me anymore. Maybe they went crazy because of me. After a year, God and the Virgin Mary blessed me with the arrival of our beloved Adriana.
I pray for you in the same way and will continue to do ... Prayer, faith and above all love ... move mountains.
I hope to meet you sometime when you're back. I imagine that many of your friends are waiting for you. I read that there are some shirts that were made in honor of you and your "Unstoppable Determination". I want one... but I do not know where or how to get it.
Ahhh! And I forgot to tell you ... my English is a disaster ... so please promise me you'll forgive me all mistakes OK!!!....
I love you "Google translate" ... =)
So John ... please do not stop. Still fighting that we will continue praying for you here.
Go…go…go… You can do it!!!!
“Que Dios y la Virgen María te bendigan siempre”
that means "God and the Virgin Mary bless you always”
Glory, Randy, Sebastian & Adriana Santiago
Blakeney Swim & TennisRacquet Club Members
John,
So glad you are home. I bet you will sleep so well in your own bed. Keep up that unstoppable determination!
The Ventura Family
This is awesome news. I know you still have a long road ahead of you, but you have so much support from your family and community. Clearly the scariest part is behind you! Best of luck. Enjoy your time at home.