Coach Chuck Pagano reaches remission

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano's leukemia is in remission. Pagano's doctor, Larry Cripe of the IU Simon Cancer Center, told 24-Hour News 8 that at the moment, Pagano's blood shows no signs of the disease.

“His leukemia is currently in remission," said Dr. Cripe, "which means that when we performed the bone marrow asperative and looked at it under the microscope we see no evidence of leukemia."

But Dr. Cripe says that doesn't mean the coach is out of the woods yet. Dr. Cripe said the coach still has two more rounds of chemotherapy to complete and a round of oral medication as well.

"We know from following thousands of other people if we stop here, the leukemia almost certainly will reoccur at some point," said Dr. Cripe.

Coach Pagano gave an inspiring speech to Colts players after Sunday's win over Miami. In it, the Coach said he's already beat the disease. Dr. Cripe said he talked with Coach Pagano Monday about that speech.

"I mean he's got an incredible way with words. He's a man of few words. But what he says is very inspirational. It speaks to the issue of digging into yourself and doing what you need to do to transcend what happens," said Dr. Cripe.

Dr. Cripe says he expects Coach Pagano to make a full recovery, but says it will be years before they will say he is cured of the disease. Coach Pagano will begin his second round of chemo immediately and will have the third round in about four to six weeks.