define that big "R" word please!

Josiah  had a long but good treatment day today.  He went to the clinic for a blood draw and check-up, then to the hospital for a spinal tap with chemo, then back to the clinic for a blood transfusion because his hemoglobin (red blood cells) was too low.  

It has been brought to my attention that there is some confusion about the term "remission" that I used in my previous blog.  According to the National Cancer Institute, remission is "a decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer.  In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.  In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer may still be in the body."

I'm not sure about all the technicalities, but I do know that during the first phase of treatment, the goal was to "force him into remission" and that was successful.  Assuming the best, he will continue weekly treatments for several more months before the frequency of appointments decreases.