Oliver's clinic visit went well this Thursday.  I was unable to attend as I had the stomach flu - it was very difficult not to go but Larry and Oliver seemed to do just fine.  This was the last spinal tap Oliver will receive for a while - we are thankful.  And, we actually get next week off - no clinic visits next week - yay!  No more chemo until 10/29 when we start a new phase - which means different drugs.  Starting new phases can be scary, we never know which side effects Oliver will have but the doctors seem to be able to anticipate and treat most of the effects.  Oliver's counts were down this week (white blood cell and ANC went down significantly; platelets are actually 750 - very high) - these changes are expected and doctors are not concerned, his energy and spirits remain high.  I am going to try to take some new pictures as soon as I can so you all can see what he looks like - his face and belly are no longer inflated from steroids - he looks almost the same, only a lot less hair.