Bishop J. Jon Bruno has announced that his doctors have declared his acute monocytic leukemia is in full remission, and that they hope for a complete recovery.
Bruno made the announcement May 24 in a letter sent to the diocesan community (full text is here).
“My physician team has indicated I may fully recover and believe it is because of the quick assessment and diagnosis at Good Samaritan Hospital and the treatment and care I have received at the City of Hope,” Bruno wrote. “They also say, and I believe without a doubt, that this miraculous type of recovery has only been possible because of the outpouring of prayer from our faith communities.”
He will undergo several more rounds of chemotherapy in coming weeks. Each series of treatments will be followed by a period of rest and recovery, he wrote, some of which will be spent at the hospital and some at his home. Because of the nature of the treatment, which destroys infection-fighting white blood cells, he must spend most of that time in protective isolation.
“As I write this letter, my physician is telling me I am in complete remission and the treatment plan … is being done to ensure there will not be a recurrence of my cancer,” Bruno wrote.
“I long to be in your midst and give thanks to each of you for every prayer, every tear, vigil, healing service, card, email, guestbook entry on Caring Bridge, drawing, cartoon, picture, and encouraging word,” he said, asking for continued prayers of healing and thanksgiving.
Members of the diocesan community and friends may send messages to the bishop on the Caring Bridge website. Cards and letters may be sent to the Cathedral Center at 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif., 90026.