October 27, 2001

Update # 12 

Good Morning, 

We've had a pretty good week.  Jeff and I went down to 4N at CG for outpatient on Sunday morning.  We all went Monday afternoon to Costas for outpatient.  They did only a hgb count (8.13) for the blood transfusion the next day.  After we finished chemo we went out to supper for my birthday.  One of our new favorite places (thanks to Rusks and Surbers) is the Macaroni Grill.  Yum!! 

Tuesday afternoon Ken and Jeff went down for outpatient chemo and 2 pints of blood.  Wednesday was the start of this course's Neupogen shots.  Thrush also began so Jeff started Swish N Swallow.  Home health came for their regular visit.  Thursday was just routine.  Friday afternoon Jeff and Ken went down chemo.  They also did a CBC - counts fine for now.  Dr. Chu came in near the end and gave some surprising news -- NO MORE CHEMO!!!!!!!!!  He decided yesterday was the last day of chemo.  He is not going to have Jeff do course 6.  He feels since tests were so good after course 3 and that Jeff has had quite a bit of chemo, he wants to watch the doses.  Sometime the week of November 12th, all tests will be repeated for reference.  Then radiation schedule will be determined and set up.  Chu roughly thinks radiation 5 days a week for 3 to 4 weeks.  Stem cell transplant will be discussed after radiation.   

Jeff went to school most of the week.  Monday and Tuesday were half day school and half day chemo.  Wednesday and Thursday Jeff went all day to school plus stayed after to do some catch up work.  Friday was only a half-day attendance for school due to end of 1st quarter.  That's why Ken went yesterday instead of me.  Jeff has done well for 1st quarter.  He's been in attendance more than not.  He's also completed all work for classes except one -  Tech Lab.   He needs to do a few more activities so he'll stay after school sometime next week to complete them.   

Well, we are into a different phase of Hodgkin's treatment and feel very thankful for the progress that God has granted.  I'll continue the weekly updates but the next couple might be short and boring.  Sounds exciting doesn't it??  Talk to you soon. 

Love to all, 

Marcia