Just a quick post to remind myself I need to expand on this later since Im still trying to sort out  what this day means for us.  Joaquin had his last spinal chemotherapy yesterday.  His labs look good and his spinal fluid came back clean of blasts. Even though Joaquin achieved remission almost 3 years ago shortly after induction, this is the true "test" to see if his body can function normally without the help of chemotherapy which represses his body's propensity to make cancer cells.  I hear the next year will be rough.  Today we are trying to rejoice in the idea that he is cancer free on this day and leave it at that.  We have hope!

This is the one and ONLY picture that I have of Joaquin bald.  I'm only posting it now because I've barely learned to look at it and not feel like my heart is being ripped out. I don't think he even noticed, much.

Joaquin's chart as of December.  Doubles as a doorstop.  Only 9 more chemos to go!!
September 2012-end date

2011 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave from Jennifer von Elling on Vimeo.

I did it!! Check me out at about 2:05.  Yeah so, they didn't show my interview because I was rambling like an idiot.  However, I have evidence here that I actually did travel to Washington DC to shave my head in the name of pediatric cancer research.


I also went to Capitol Hill and got the opportunity to meet with legislative reps in an effort to draw more awareness:  Kids get cancer too.  We need new medicines that are more effective in fighting cancer with less toxic side effects.

The best part was spending a few days with mommas like me that have a fire lit under them to do ANYTHING that can potentially help find a cure.  I remember reading something a man shaving for St. Baldricks once said:  "If me shaving my head, raises the $1 for THE petri dish that finds the cure for cancer, then it's the least I can do". <3