This Christmas, Callen and Olivia got a telescope. We hoped it would, quite literally, open up the Universe to them. They devoured the accompanying books on planets, stars and constellations while Jim painstakingly assembled the scope and set the viewfinder on its first lucky target. After nightfall, we gathered outside to gaze and wish upon our first stars. We marveled at the great expanse of our world and entertained questions of space travel and life on other plants.

The next morning Callen shoved a pebble into the lens, eclipsing our view.

The year 2014 will see four eclipses– the first having taken place earlier this week. They are an awesome phenomenon whereby a heavenly body is totally darkened.

But only briefly.

Last evening we received a call from Callen’s oncologist. It was well after office hours when the phone rang - which for two physicians was the indicator that this would neither be an easy nor quick conversation. We knew the words before he spoke them.

The goal of induction chemotherapy is to cause remission – no measurable evidence of disease. Callen’s spinal fluid continues to be negative for malignant cells. His bone marrow, once nearly completely replaced by cancer cells, has responded beautifully. But he continues to have measurable disease of 0.04%. The threshold for declaration of induction success is 0.01% or less. Because he has demonstrated response to treatment, he is not deemed an induction failure, but rather a “slow responder”. His long-term prognosis is essentially unchanged, and cure remains an attainable goal.

What this means for Callen is that he has received his assignment to the “high risk” leukemia protocol. The particulars of the treatment are not pertinent at this moment, and will not even be discussed in detail with us until tomorrow. What we do know is that his will be the most intense protocol, particularly in these next few months. This means more and different chemotherapies than anticipated in order to get him to that remission, and to keep him there. It also means punishing side effects that will need to be palliated.

The journey ahead is a long and difficult one. There are no shortcuts to be had, no E-Z Passes given out for this road less traveled. There is nothing that Jim and I would not sacrifice to change this for our son. He will endure much in the coming months, and we will be by his side. We will stay strong for him and because of him. His is an unyielding strength and spirit. Callen’s light, love and our faith, shine on.