It is pretty common when someone with cancer completes their chemo regimen, they ring a bell to signify this victory. Cleveland Clinic didn't have one in their outpatient center, but that didn't stop Jill from going out and buying a bell to ring as they shared a celebratory dinner on their back porch!
https://vm.tiktok.com/J828Go3/Jud's sister, Amy, also bought my parents dinner the following night that they picked up from a local Ashland restaurant, Uniontown Brewing Company! Celebrating also included watching a half hour long compilation video put together by Tiffany Roberts. The video included friends, family, and previous/current athletes that sent their well wishes to Jud during his last round of chemo (blinatumomab) before moving on to the maintenance phase. Tiff had sent a different person or family's video every single day of the last round of blinatumomab (28 days), and there were still plenty of surprises and unseen videos added to the compilation video. The community of support that Jud has received has never ceased to amaze our family, and we are all so grateful.
https://youtu.be/nmsHvGIZo0UThis concludes the clinical trial portion of my dad's chemotherapy. He received the amazing results that he is still in REMISSION without any microscopic evidence of leukemia in his bone marrow (MRD negative).
Its amazing to celebrate each milestone along the way with our friends and family's support. Please continue to send your well wishes, thoughts, positive energy, and prayers as Jud enters into the next phase of treating this disease and keeping it away, termed "Maintenance Chemotherapy". Jud will continue to need to take chemotherapy pills, receive chemotherapy in his IV/Port, and undergo a lumbar puncture/spinal tap to receive chemotherapy that is a preventative measure to try to make sure the leukemia wouldn't enter his brain and/or spinal fluid. He will need to continue this regimen every 3 months over the next few years (likely up to 2 1/2 years if things run smoothly). This is a marathon, not a sprint! We'll continue to keep you updated along the way!
