Beginning Another Type Chemo Treatment

We've been waiting to see if the high powered Chemo administered on November 8th which stays in the body for at least 6 weeks might be effective against my personalized leukemia cells that returned after the 16 weeks of being home leukemia free.

As I believe I had indicated before, this was kinda the last treatment possibility that could bring a 5 year with no further treatment cure.
Unfortunately, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the Mylotag HAD NOT worked.
As with so many cancers, even Acute Leukemia has many different sub-set groups and each individual responds to various treatments differently.
Guess that is why they still call it the "Practice' of medicine.

So we're on to the next plan.
I had been running some high night time temperatures so a trip to the hospital was necessary for antibodic IV's.
In November, it took 12 day stay to get the infection/temp under control but this time the temps went down the 1st day after several IV's.

While in the hospital anyway, it was decided to begin a rather new Chemo that has been successfully applied to similar Acute Leukemia patients after other permanent cure techniques/efforts had not been effective.
It will be a 5 day out patient treatment every 4 weeks to hopefully bring the leukemia into remission while still permitting the body to produce the necessary levels of good White Cells & Platelets. Fortunately I've not experienced any of the very few side effects so far.

It looks like I'll be able to leave the hospital after the 5th treatment on Saturday afternoon and be home for Christmas.
Our son, Steve, is planning on coming in from Alabama for a few days between Christmas and New Years.

Sounds like it will take 2 or 3 rounds (ie 2-3 months) of the treatment to see if this might be the right counter punch and lifetime regiment to 'live with leukemia' rather than ever being really no 'further treatment cured'.

Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers as we experience the roller coaster adventure of Acute Leukemia.

Trust everyone is experiencing a Joyous Christmas Season and looking forward to a Wonderful 2008.
--

After Thanksgiving Update 11-28-07

We're grateful that we were able to attend the pre-Thanksgiving family get together in Fairfield Glade, TN.
We returned the 400 +- miles on Thanksgiving Day.
Several places were open for breakfast along the Interstate but only Cracker Barrel open around noon.

As expected, the blood labs Friday morning at the hospital oncology out patient unit and at the Doctor's office on Tuesday of this week indicated I needed a Platelet infusion.

With my blood counts still super low from the high powered Chemo that was done 4 weeks ago and usually lasts at least 6 weeks, the Oncology Doctor decided yesterday NOT to proceed with round 2 but wait until the numbers come up some.

He'll probably do another Bone Marrow Biopsy to see just how effective round 1 was before deciding what might the next step.

In the meantime, we're thrilled that I've not had the nighttime temperature spikes on the trip nor since returning home.

It is good to be able to be home even with the various trips for blood labs, infusions, etc.

So we're still taking life one day at a time as we experience the roller coaster adventure of Acute Leukemia.

Have a Joyous Christmas Season.

Pre-Thanksgiving Update

We were unable to connect with Tammy & Steve's Families in Gatlinburg area last Friday BUT plan to make Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration Wednesday.

I've been in the hospital since Thursday, Nov. 8th getting daily Platelet and antibodic IV infusions
Temperature still seems to go up to 100.7 or so every night between 9:00 and 11:00 PM.

The Doctors & Nurses cooperated in our getting out of the hospital for the trip to Fairfield Glade, TN tomorrow,Tuesday.
Looking forward to seeing our families as well as my sisters at the pre Thanksgiving gathering at my niece, Vickie & Steve Shuffitts on Wednesday.

We plan to return to Indy on Thanksgiving Day and have blood work and new platelets on Friday.

Trust everyone has a Great Thanksgiving Season

Monday 11-12-07 In St. Vincent Hospital getting IV antibodics

The Oncology Doctor had indicated and prepared us that it is not unusual for patients to develop high fevers indicating infection after the type of Chemo used in this past round.
But, since I hadn't had any severe fever with any of the other Chemo treatments while in the hospital or at home I was hoping that I would continue to avoid it this time too.

But our home thermometer indicated increased number last Tuesday and Wednesday nights. We opted not to contact the Doctor's office or go to the Emergency Room at 11:00 since we were to see the Doctor anyway at 9:00 on Thursday.
He indicated that I should be admitted to the Oncology section of the hospital to begin antibodic IV's, Platelets and 2 units of whole blood transfusion.

They ran all kinds of blood tests, cultures, liver ultrasound and so far nothing seems to come up as the 'culprit'. The weekend Oncologist indicated that 50-75 of the time nothing is indicated as they use a variety of antibodics which ultimately knocks out the low grade infection.

I suspect I'll be here most of the week but we still may be able to join our planned family get together with Steve & Tammy's family (without T.J and Tiffany) in the Gatlinburg area on Friday for 4 nights.
My niece Vickie & Steve Shuffitt have invited the whole clan including my 2 sisters to their home in Fairfield Glade, TN for a one day early Thanksgiving Celebration.

We have to be pretty flexible with so many elements involved but we're hoping that we can make both Gatlinburg and Fairfield Glade.

Trust that you and yours have a Super Thanksgiving and beginning of a Meaningful Christmas Season.

Chemo after Leukemia returned

I was able enter St. Vincent hospital Tuesday afternoon and receive a different high powered Chemo that is hopeful to eliminate the leukemia cells that have returned after the Bone Marrow Transplant.

Although they monitored me in the hospital until Thursday morning, fortunately I did not have any of the normal side effects.

I returned to the Doctor Friday morning for additional lab work and he was very pleased to see the blood numbers dropping drastically which I assume means that the Chemo is working.

My platelet level had dropped so much that I had to return to the Patient Services Dept. for a platelet infusion.

Believe they will be doing blood work on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this next week and I'll see Doctor again on Thursday. Hopefully he will have a better idea of what the 'next step' might be then.

The Oncology Doctor indicated it is not unusual after this Chemo for patients to develop high fevers indicating infection and to contact them to determine whether be an office visit, emergency room or In-patient depending on when occur and severity.
Haven't had any severe fever with any of the other Chemo treatments while in the hospital so here's hoping won't this time either.

Will post later on how things go on this roller coaster acute leukemia adventure.

Thanks for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Disappointing News---Leukemia is BACK

After passing the 90 and 100 day Bone Marrow Transplant markers and 16 weeks of being home it was shocking to learn this morning that Leukemia is BACK.

The Bone Marrow Doctor was anticipating extending me to monthly labs until the abnormal blood results came back yesterday.
He did a Blood Marrow Biopsy to confirm that Leukemia had returned.

I'm currently waiting for a bed to open up later today in the Oncology wing for to see if another 2-3 day round of a different Chemo will put the Leukemia in remission AGAIN.

Things have gone so well that it is certainly disappointing news but hopefully God plans to use this Plan B in the roller coaster adventure with blood cancer.

I'll post again after this Chemo round and we know anything further.

Initial 2 week interval for hospital trips

Today was our 1st Oncology Out Patient hospital visit for blood work and monitoring on the extended 2 week interval.

We're grateful that things seem to be going along as the doctor expected.

My hair has come back sufficiently for Sharon to give me a light trim. :-)

We're continuing to do small projects around the house.

Trust you're enjoying cooler Fall temperatures and colors.

No Leukemia 90 Days after Bone Marrow Transplant

We're grateful for the favorable result of the Bone Marrow Biopsy taken Monday that there is currently NO Leukemia.
They will probably do another Biopsy in another 60 days or so.

It was also good news that the Cells continue to be over 98% from the donor, my sister.

Since the weekly IVIG infusions terminated Monday, I hope to be able to extend the time for trips to the hospital to every 2 weeks and then to a monthly basis.

Thanks for remembering us.
Best wishes to You and Yours.

Wednesday, 9/5/07--Staying the Course

Believe that today is about Day 70 in the count down from the Blood Marrow Transplant date.

The Doctors use Day 90 on their time line to do another Blood Marrow Biopsy and a bench mark to discontinue the weekly IVIG infusions.

Day 100 is significant in the monitoring the possible Graft vs Host rejection syndrome.

So with each passing day, we're grateful that there are no serious complications,

There are still lots of restrictions and pre-cautions.
Seems like they have a reason for me not to be out in large crowds yet or do a lot of the projects I'd like to be doing around the house and yard.

The energy level is still not where I'd like it to be but they say it often takes 6 months to a year for full recovery.
Believe I'm gaining strength and endurance daily. :-)

Monday, 8/27/07--Busy Day at the Hospital

The Doctor's office selected today for the replacement of the exterior hanging Hickman catheter with a semi permanent under the skin Port catheter.

This meant that Sharon and I had to arrive at St. Vincent's Hospital at 6:00 AM this morning for the scheduled 8:00 surgery and then on to the Oncology Out Patient unit for the usual Monday blood work and IVIG infusion.
So I've got both sides of my chest taped up tonight.
The new Port required incisions to place it under the skin which is making me pretty sore right now but 'this too shall pass' in a few days.

I tapered off one of the antii-rejection prescriptions, Cyclosporine, on Saturday.
If the weekly monitoring shows I can continue without it, I expect that some of my blood counts numbers will improve even more.

My hair is taking it sweet ole time coming back in.
I keep explaining that I haven't gone to the Bruce Willis hair style.

Have a Safe and Enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

Monday, 8/20/07--Improvement

As mentioned in the previous post, we were delighted to have our daughter and son-in-love from Florida with us for a few days.
They really helped get some deferred projects completed.
As usual, when you spruce up one area, it brings other areas to your attention so we still have a pretty long 'Honey Do" list.

I'm grateful to be gaining strength daily--ventured out on the bicycle for the 1st time last week for a quick tour of the neighborhood--haven't tried to walk too far or try to jog any yet.

Believe the Doctor is to schedule replacing the exterior hanging Hickman catheter with a semi permanent under the skin Port catheter within the next few weeks.

Thanks for continuining to remember us in your thoughts, prayers and encouragement.

Saturday, 8/11/07--Favorable Percentage of donor T-cells.

More good news this week.
The results of the blood test indicate that 98% of the T-cells are from my sister, Nancy.
They want about 95% from the donor and not more than 5% from me.
Sometimes it takes a little while to achieve that balance.
So I won't need a booster infusion of Nancy's frozen T-cells at this point in time.

We're glad to have our daughter and son-in-love Thom with us for a few days.
We had hoped for some cooler less humid weather to give them a break the heat & humidity of Central Florida.

They said they were coming to work and have they ever. They've been doing so many things that we had not gotten done so far this year. ie. Paint the deck & mailbox, trim the shrubs, wash the windows, etc. etc.

As the dosage is reduced on some of my medications, I seem to be gaining strength and endurance daily :-) .

Have a Great week.

Saturday, 8/4/07--Good News

We were delighted to get a call from the Doctor's office on Wednesday that the results of the Bone Marrow biopsy procedure done on the previous Thursday indicated "No evidence of any Acute Leukemia cells."

That was Super Good News :-)

We're waiting on the blood tests results to indicate what percent of the present blood T-cells are my sister's and what percent remain from my blood prior to the Transplant.
Believe they'd like it to be about 95% from the donor and 5% from me but it may take a little while to achieve that balance.
Results should be available about mid week.

We continue to make a long visit to the Oncology Out Patient unit on Mondays and a shorter time on Thursdays.

Continued Best Wishes to You !!

Friday, 7/27/07--Being Home w/fewer Hospital Trips is Great

Good news in that only one trip each week on Monday is necessary to monitor the blood counts, possible infections, and anti -rejection status.
It is usually at least a half a day to get a IVIG infusion and usually some other blood components to balance out the system.

A quick trip to have the the Hickman catheter flushed and bandage changed seems like a breeze after all the other time we've spent in the Oncology Out Patient Unit.

We're able to reduce the dosage of one of the anti-rejection pills today and will every week until hopefully it can be discontinued on Aug 25th. The Dr. say that my blood pressure, pulse rate, blood numbers will improve as this prescription is tapered.

I've been restricted from eating any fresh fruits and vegetables since the isolation during the Bone Marrow Transplant. So I'm really looking forward to tasting some Indiana home grown tomatoes and lettuce on sandwiches as well as eating salads and bananas again next week.

The first Bone Marrow Biopsy since the Transplant was collected yesterday. We're hopeful that the results (not available until next Thursday or so) will not show any abnormalities or reveal any surprises.

My energy, strength an endurance levels haven't seemed to change much during the week. The Dr says that they would improve as the medications are tapered over the next few weeks.
In the meantime, Sharon & I are taking on only small projects around the house--work a little--rest a long time--work a little--nap a longer time--etc. :-)

Best Wishes To You !!!..
--

Saturday, 7/21/07--Progress Report--Fewer Trips to Out Patient

As posted last week, we were making 2 trips per day including weekends
to the Oncology Out Patient unit for anti CMV viral infection IV's.

It was great to get the Drs.' OK on Monday that I could resume driving
which Sharon welcomed the change of pace for her to have a more normal
schedule.

And, fortunately, the lab results on Wednesday showed the CMV virus
stabilized and the IV's could now be replaced with a very very expensive
daily pill.

I'm now on a one trip per day Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule for
blood results to monitor Anti-Rejection and Anti Virus concerns.
Seems like there is a different blood component each day that requires
an IV to balance out the system.
Magnesium is a frequent required booster that is common with other Blood
Marrow patients too.

I'm probably too impatient and would like to have more energy & endurance.
Compared to my former days as a runner with low pulse rate and blood
pressure my current vitals are super elevated during this period when
I'm taking all the infusions.
The Dr say it is typical during recovery process and they will
ultimately return to normal.

In the meantime, it seems I need a rest or a nap pretty often. :-)
We're just grateful for each day---taking it one day at a time and doing
only the things we have energy to do.

Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers & encouragement.

Saturday, 7/14/07--Bob's Home BUT spends lots of hours in Out Patient

I was surprised last Monday when the Dr. came in at 6:30 AM and said, "I think you should go home today."

I had some reservations feeling I was not really up to the strength level as in my previous 2 releases from the hospital. But the thought of having some freedom and being able to sleep in our own bed without all the nurse interruptions throughout the night said, " OK, let's Do It."

It was nearly 5:00 PM before the final IV's for the day and paper work were completed.

Sharon dropped me by the house and proceeded to the drug store to fill the 6 release prescriptions. (4 of 5 pharmacies did not have one in stock).

I was originally expecting Monday, Wednesday, Friday visits to the Oncology Out Patient for blood tests and any needed in-fusions for about 2 weeks. and then once per week for about 90 days.. On Wednesday, I received 2 units of blood, and a Magnesium IV that took a total of 8 hours.

Then on Thursday, we received a call saying that a dormant Viral Infection had become active (common in Marrow Transplant patients) requiring immediate counter attack with an AM and a PM IV.
We were give the choice of being re-admitted to the hospital OR to come to the Out Patient Unit at 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day including Saturday and Sunday for the one - three weeks to combat the CMV virus.
After 13 weeks so far in the hospital this year, Sharon & I opted to take the multiple treks to the hospital option.

We've just accepted that this will be a full time job for us for several weeks doing the things that come up during the adapting and recovery process.

I've regained my appetite with diminished nausea and I'm feeling stronger every day, :-)

Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers and encouragement.

Friday, 7/06/07--Waiting Period After Bone Marrow Transplant

This has been a week of being in Isolation waiting for the effects of the prior Chemo to have it's final effects, taking IV's to accelerate the production of White Cells and continue taking Anti-Rejection IV's.

We're grateful that things have gone relatively smoothly this week without some of the gruesome side effects that often occur during this period.

My Platelets (Clotting component) have been very low requiring daily infusions. Even though I've had many other Platelets infusions without any reactions, this week the injections caused a Hives reaction. They now give me an pre-Platelet IV mixture that seemed to have solved the Hives problem.
The result is that it makes me pretty sleepy so I've been able to take lots of naps during the day.

I've also required 2 Magnesium IV's to keep some of the blood components in acceptable minimum levels.

If all goes on a typical schedule, my sister's blood marrow should kick in producing increase blood counts by the first of next week

Sharon continues to be able to visit & spend time with me in Isolation but it is more uncomfortable having to wear a mask all the time she is in the room.

Hopefully all will continue to go smoothly/successfully and I'll be able to be home again before July 15th. :-)

We're grateful that so many things have come together to have this much of the adventure behind us and look forward to finishing the regimen and to good days ahead.

Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers and encouragement.

Friday, 6/29/07--Bone Marrow Transplant completed

We're grateful that things went smoothly this week in the harvesting of my Sister's Bone Marrow and the infusion of the Stem Cells to me.

The minimum number of cells for a transplant is 2.0 (some unit in the 1,000's) but they like to have 5 just for the extra numbers. They were able to give me 2.8 on Wednesday and 3.7 on Thursday so I should have a sufficient number for them to take over producing all my future cells.

Since my blood count numbers are low and will continue to drop from the recent Chemo, I'm in Isolation for several days until her Marrow kicks in to raise the numbers and my ability to fight off infections. (Usually 10 days or so but every individual is different)

They will be monitoring me closely for anti-rejections as well as combating any fever, infections, etc.
Hopefully all will continue to go smoothly/successfully and I'll be able to be home again before July 15th. :-)

We're grateful that so many things have come together to have this much of the adventure behind us and look forward to finishing the regimen and to good days ahead.

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement.

Saturday, 6/23/07 Bone Marrow Transplant Process Has Begun

I feel that the Transplant process has now really started with my sister arriving in Indy Friday and with the harvest of initial "T-Cells" that will be frozen and used as possible future booster injections, if needed, to maintain her minimum 95 to 5% ration in my future blood make-up.

It was a pretty grueling day for her primarily due to a back up and delay at the Heart Institute in installing a Fistula cather in her chest The Fistula is similar to the Hickman devise I had installed Monday but with larger diameter ports to handle larger amounts of blood for the dialysis type harvesting to begin on Wednesday.
She will be getting daily injections of Neupogen to increase her production of white cells between now and Wednesday

I entered the Oncology Unit at 7:00 Tuesday AM to begin receiving an IV's to supress/reduce my own Blood Marrow making room for her Transplant materials and to aid in Anti-Rejection.

It was my 1st time that I've experienced EITHER vomiting OR chills from any of the prior dosages of Chemo but encountered BOTH with the initial Campath IV. They were able to get them under control in short order with Demerol and fortunately I've have had no further reactions during the week.

I'm also on a additional Fludara Chemo treatment for 3 more days, Melphalan Chemo for 1 day with rest on Tuesday before the harvesting and transplant scheduled on Wednesday, 6/27. I'll begin taking Cyclosporine, an Anti-Rejection infusion, which will continue in pill form for an extended time even after I get home.

With my blood counts suppressed prior to the Transplant, and the fact it takes the Donor's Bone Marrow several days to rebuild, I'll probably be at the lowest level and will be in Isolation for 10 days or so until the blood counts increase again. (Time varies with each individual and situation).

So they've prepared me there may be some 'rocky road' during the process.

Hopefully all will go smoothly/successfully and I'll be able to be home again before July 15th. :-)

Lots of future out patient monitoring will follow for several weeks after the Transplant.

Thanks for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers

Friday, 6/15/07--Medical exams Preliminarily OK'd to begin Bone Marrow Transplant

This has been a week for my sister and I to have some pretty complete physical exams to make sure each of us can go through our respective Bone Marrow Transplant procedures.

Nancy and her husband, Albert, left Corydon in Southern Indiana at 5:00 AM on Monday for an 8:00 AM appointment at St. Vincent's Oncology Out Patient Unit for extensive blood work and an EKG. They met with another Blood Marrow Doctor at 3:00 PM for a thorough physical.

I met them in the Oncology Out Patient Unit on Monday for the same tests and then had chest, sinus and teeth X-rays. I also had a Muga Heart Scan with a radioactive substance injected into the arm that measures the heart pumping capacity more accurately than a echocardiogram. Apparently some of the Chemo I'll receive prior to receiving the Transplant is more toxic than I've had before and it is necessary to monitor my heart more closely.

Tuesday, I had a Pulmonary breathing test that took almost 2 hours, returned the urine sample that was collected during the previous 24 hours and did the paper work so that I can be automatically checked into the Oncology unit on Tuesday, June 19th at 7:00 AM.

Nancy & I felt pretty confident that we were both in good physical shape and had high hopes that there would be no glitches from any of the medical tests.
However we received a call from Amy, the Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator, on Wednesday afternoon that the EKG results on BOTH of us showed some abnormalities and it looked like the Transplant process would probably have to be delayed until each of us had been seen and cleared by a Cardiologist.

The good news is that Amy was quick and thorough in making arrangements for my sister to be able to see a Cardiologist in New Albany (without having to drive back to Indianapolis for Thursday afternoon)---her 2nd EKG also showed an irregularity.
Fortunately she was able to schedule other heart tests on Friday that indicates that she should be OK to proceed as a Blood Marrow donor.
Amy scheduled a Friday morning appointment with a Cardiologist for me and my 2nd EKG also showed some kind of abnormality. Fortunately they were able to schedule a Stress-Echo exam that confirmed that everything was OK for me to also proceed with the Transplant process.

So as it stands now, I'll begin the process on Monday, June 18th by having a Hickman catheter installed as an out patient. If nothing changes, I'll return to the Oncology Unit at 7:00 AM Tuesday for 8 days of anti-rejection medications and further Chemo preparing for the Transplant on about June 27th or 28th. (Nancy will return to Indy on Friday 6/22/07 to begin getting injections to produce more white cells & blood marrow with harvesting to begin on Wednesday, 6/27/07)

They project another 10-17 days of hospitalization monitoring for possible rejections and for my blood count numbers to return with my sister's new Bone Marrow.

As Paul Harvey might say: "That's the story of Bob's Acute Leukemia treatment up to now" .

Thanks for continuing to pray for my sister, Nancy, Sharon & I as we go through the next procedures.

P.S. After Sharon's garage sale, several trips to Goodwill & lots of extra stuff for the trash service, we do seem to have more shelving space. :-)

Saturday, 6-9-07-Proceeding with Add'l Tests for Bone Marrow Transplant

The results of Tuesday's Bone Marrow Biopsy indicated that I am currently in remission.

I kiddingly asked Dr. Birhiray, the Bone Marrow Specialist, if that meant that I was cured and we could suspend further treatment?
He said I was ''pulling his leg" in that it meant that we could now 'forge ahead' toward a hopeful total cure with a Bone Marrow Transplant with my sister, Nancy who is a near 'perfect match'.

But only after lots of further testing to make sure that the timing and physical condition of both my sister and myself are up to the actual procedure.

We both are meeting at the Hospital Oncology Out Patient facility 8:00 AM on Monday 6-11-07 for further extensive blood testing.
She will be meeting with another Doctor for a complete physical on Monday afternoon before heading back South to her home in Corydon, IN.
I have appointments on Monday for an extensive heart scan and X-rays of my chest, sinus and teeth.

On Tuesday, I have an appointment for an extensive breathing test, hospital papers to complete for a hopeful hospital self admission to the Transplant Unit at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, June 19th. (There is an 8 day period that I'll receive anti-rejection drugs and additional chemo in preparation & prior to receiving my sister's Bone Marrow.

If everything continues to check out OK, my sister will be back in Indy on Friday, June 22nd to begin her preparation for Bone Marrow harvesting with the actual Transplant occurring on Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday June 28
.
They anticipate that I'll be in the hospital for 10-17 days after the Transplant as they daily monitor possible rejections, infections, etc. (a portion of the time in total isolation).
After release from the hospital, monitoring will be done on a diminishing basis as an Out Patient for another 90 days.

We've seen lots of positive things come together to make this next step possible but there's lots of items to all come together for a completely successful Transplant.

Appreciate your keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

P.S. It was great to be home and have Steve's family from Alabama with us during the week of my birthday, our 50th wedding anniversary and Sharon's big garage sale. (got rid of 'lots of our stuff' that should expand our closet space). :-)
--

Tuesday, 5/29/07-Bob's Home (At least for a little while)

My Blood Count Numbers all came back up over the weekend after the 2nd round of Chemo.

Since it appears that I can now be without any Antibiotic IV's etc. the Doctor said I could have a change of scenery and spend some time at home.
That is certainly welcome news after being in the hospital 6 weeks on this trip and 4 weeks on the 1st visit with only 6 days at home in between hospital visits.

The Doctors wanted to wait a week for things to settle down before doing the 3rd Bone Marrow Procedure scheduled for next Tuesday in the Doctor's office.

The test results should be available when we meet with the Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist and his staff at 7:30 AM next Thursday.
The Specialist has an upcoming vacation week but we should be able to set an exact date for the Transplant process to begin.

Hopefully I'll be able to post that date sometime later next week.

I'm guessing that I'll be going back in the hospital on June 18th, for some more Chemo while they're harvesting my sisters Bone Marrow and that the actual Transplant will take place sometime in the June 27th-29th range.
I'll be in the hospital for another 14-21 days after the Transplant while the doctors monitor for possible rejection, etc.
Monitoring will continue as an Out Patient 3 days per week for 2 weeks then 1 day per week for 90 days.But in the meantime,

I'm looking forward to Sharon's cooking, sleeping in our own bed, and being able to be outside some enjoying the late fall-early summer temperatures and sunshine.
My bald head can sure use some tanning rays. :-)

Steve and his family are planning on visiting Kings Island and being with us for a week.
Sharon has been collecting/sorting "our stuff/junk" since last fall and it will be good to have them here to help with the Garage Sale on June 7, 8 & 9th.

It was kinda strange to experience Memorial Day weekend from my 6th floor Oncology room.Trying to get a radio station to keep up with the Indy 500 race was challenging.

Thanks again for all your continued thoughts, prayers and remembrances.

Saturday-5/26-Blood Counts are Improving

Haven't totally rounded the corner yet but the Platelet Count went up on it's own without an IV and the White count increased drastically during the past 24 hours.

Still running some low grade fever and hopefully 'this too shall pass'.

My Hematologist, Dr Oscar Oscarson, will be out ot town next week and I'll have the Bone Marrow Transplant specialist covering for him. Hoping that I and the blood count numbers continue to improve during the weekend. I expect that Dr. Birhiray will do a Bone Marrow Procedure on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

There is a growing thread of thought or option fueled by Dr Birhiray's scheduled vacation that I might be dismissed from the hospital and be able to be home for 3- 4 weeks before the actual Bone Marrow Transplant is done
That decision will be made after the results of the Bone Marrow Procedure are available.

Glad that the count numbers have improved to the point that I can now have fresh fruits and vegetables (Been missing Tossed Salads and Bananas) Think that I'll also be able to get off the Oncology floor and even get outside when the weather cooperates. That will a welcome change of scenery.

Have a Super, Fun and Safe Memorial Day Weekend.

Friday, 5/18/07-Update-Chemo is working

Last week's Chemo is working. Blood numbers are coming down as desired.

Platelet Count seems to drop to the teens every day with a normal range of 150-450. They want this clotting factor above 20 for any possible bleeding so I've been getting a daily Platelet transfusions. White Blood Count is around 0.2 with the normal range 4-10.5 which means my body's infection fighting ability is practically nil.

They tell me that the effect of the Chemo in the body will diminish by mid next week and the numbers should start to increase. That will take approximately 1 week when they will do another Bone Marrow Procedure to see exactly how effective the Chemo was in getting rid of all the bad Leukemia cells. Hopefully then the date for the Bone Marrow Transplant with my younger sister, Nancy, can be scheduled.

The 8th week in the hospital has had it's ups and downs.
Felt great for about 3 days with lots of energy. Was able to walk the hall ways for a total of 50 minutes on Tuesday . :-) and do some other exercises.

Then suddenly fatigue & exhaustion set in on Wednesday. This was accompanied by some chills, fever and erratic pulse rate, and blood pressure. My resting pulse rate is normally around 60 and I was wondering what was happening when the nurse kept reporting that it had climbed into the 90's, then low 100's and finally in the 130's throughout the day and evening while I was resting in bed.

I'm grateful that I haven't lost my appetite (even though I'm losing weight) and I've not experienced any nausea during the process so far.
Hopefully next week's post will be able to report that the numbers are going up and my strength and ability to fight infection is increasing.

Sharon is doing well.She is able to join me for lunch everyday.
When she is home, she is busy sorting some of "our stuff" preparing for a garage sale that Steve's family from Alabama are helping with when they visit for a week the 1st part of June.

Continued Thanks for keeping Sharon and I in your thoughts and prayers.

Saturday, 5/12/07-Update-Final Round Chemo Completed

I’m relieved to have the final round of Chemo completed this morning about 4:30 AM.
This round consisted of Two-3 hour infusions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
So far, things have gone well. Somehow they didn't get the 1st one started until 1:00 PM on Monday which meant the 2nd one started 12 hours later. Kinda made for some interrupted sleep for 3 nights.They do vitals, about 10:30 PM, install a pre chemo IV an hour ahead of the Chemo at midnight, return at 1:00 AM for the Chemo IV, back at 4:30 AM to remove the Chemo IV and draw blood for the daily lab report. Then the Doctor makes his morning rounds sometime between 6:30 and 7:30. Glad I was able to work in some naps during the afternoons. :-)

The Doctors are glad that the blood count numbers have already started to fall and expect them to bottom out in about a week to 10 days before starting to climb again.
This will probably be the period that I’m most susceptible to un-expected infections, Chemo reactions, and just those unique things that seemto happen to specific individuals.

A definite Bone Marrow Transplant date with my sister, Nancy, can’t be predicted until the blood count numbers come back up, and another Blood Marrow Procedure completed to verify the status on any remaining Leukemia cells.

Glad the hospital food menu has a good selection as I’ve now tried about every combination. J
For variety, Sharon has brought in some of my favorite items as “Take Out” several times. (ie: Biscuits & Gravy, Spaghetti, Milk Shakes, etc.)

Continued THANKS for the many expressions of support.

Hope everyone has a Super week.

Monday, 5/7/07-Second Round Chemo to start today

With the irritated esophagus improving , I'm able to resume eating/ drinking pretty well and no longer require IV nourishment.

So the Second Round of Chemo is scheduled to start today.

Believe they will be in Two-3 hour treatments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this week.
Then another week for the Chemo 'to do it's thing' against the remaining Leukemia Cells before the blood count numbers begin to increase in the 3rd week.

Hopefully my body will be able to tolerate the Chemo as well this time as the initial 24/7 treatment with no surprising side effects.

Enjoy the sunny Spring time weather.

Friday, 5/4/07 Update-Sister is Confirmed Transplant Match

It was great news yesterday to get confirmation that my younger sister, Nancy, who lives with her husband, Albert, near Corydon is a perfect match for a Bone Marrow Transplant.There was ONLY a 50 percent chance that either of my sisters would be a sibling match so we and the Doctors are elated for the match and for Nancy's willingness to be a donor.It seems that there is always something new coming along that needs to be resolved before being able to get back toward a hopeful Bone Marrow Transplant time schedule.
One of my un-expected surprises last week was the development of some esophagus irritations that not only kept me from eating but also not able to even sip/drink water without severe chest heart-burn. So I've been on IV nourishment for several days now.
Hopefully my irritated esophagus will be healed and I can be taken off IV feedings over the weekend and the Chemo can start on Monday.The doctors are anxious to begin my next round of Chemo to kill off the balance of the bad Leukemia cells so I can receive the Bone Marrow Transplant.They estimate that it will probably be the end of May or 1st of June before they'll have me through the Chemo, do another Bone Marrow Procedure and have me ready for the actual transplant.Sounds like lots more hospital time before as well as after the transplant. :-(
It hardly seems possible that that we're beginning May with the Mini-Marathon activities scheduled for this weekend.
The Sunny weather looks delightful from my 6th floor vista point in the Oncology Wing of St Vincent hospital.
Sharon & I really appreciate all your prayers, thoughts, e-mails and cards of encouragement. They mean so very much to us.

Shocking News!!!!!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

"Living in the present" has had no more meaning than with the surprising Acute Leukemia diagnosis on March 16, 2007.

It came as a complete surprise after thinking I was in pretty good physical shape doing two 26.2 miles marathons last fall, the Disney Half Marathon in January and was riding 30 miles for 3 hours on Florida Rails to Trails in February while missing the Indy blizzard.

I finished the 24 hour continuous 7 day Chemo treatment about 6:00 Saturday night March 24th.Having lots and lots of transfusions and then Lasik to flush the fluids from the body-----Continuous through out the night with only small segments of sleep.Believe they said I returned the equivalent of 9 coke cans the other night so many trips to the bath room---Guess I just have to "Keep Going The Distance" :-)

Understand they will continue to twink with the transfusions, etc., for the next couple weeks before doing another Bone Marrow Procedure to see how effective the initial Chemo regimen has been and evaluate possible future options.

Sharon and I have perfect peace about the whole situation .
Thanks so much for the many many expressions of encouragement, support, prayers and thoughts from you all.

Continued best wishes to you all.Bob & Sharon Thompson