July 20, 2002
Update # 32
Good Morning,
We hope everyone is having a great summer. Our weather has been hot and dry. The farmers need more than the little rain we have received. We also had a couple days of break from the high heat but it returns today.
Jeff returned home safely from San Diego but ready to move there for the weather! Then it was time to head to Wartburg for registration and the broadcast workshop. A professor actually signed Jeff up for his classes over the phone the week before the workshop. So the morning of the 8th was not as hectic and Jeff didn't have to watch the clock. His workshop began at 1:00 and we then took off for MN. We enjoyed our few days and even took a detour side trip when we saw a sign advertising the "Spam Museum". It opened last September and was set up very well. So look for Austin, MN. We returned to Waverly to pick Jeff up on Friday. He was not ready to leave!!! They had an absolutely marvelous time touring TV and radio stations in Waterloo and doing live shows on Wartburg's TV and radio station. Some of you know my oldest nephew, Brandon, is in a small band. Jeff did one of the radio shows and had Brandon on the telephone line for an interview then played one of the songs from Brandon's band. Both of them were thrilled!!! As of yesterday Jeff has to only wait 7 weeks till he returns to Wartburg. He's ready after he's had his hands on that equipment!!!
Guess it's about time to get to the "update" part of this email. Jeff had all tests on the 15th. I had to call yesterday to get the results. Dr. Chu stated on Monday that the x-ray looked the same, the shell is still there. The CAT Scan and the all important PET Scan show everything is OK. That's what we expected to hear but it's nice to hear it anyway. The CBC showed all levels in the normal range except the white count. It is just barely below the normal level and they had said that it could take 6 months to return to normal. We figure the next CBC will show the white count in the normal range. Dr. Chu is letting Jeff wait until Christmas vacation for the next complete battery of tests.
There was one test that showed a change -- the thyroid test. Jeff has been putting on weight - even more than what he needed to gain back. I thought at first it was the Dairy Queen job but when he watched what he ate and still gained we figured it had to be the thyroid. Dr. Roy had already mentioned that the radiation could affect Jeff's thyroid. The thyroid level was normal at the April testing but shows now that the TSH level is high which means he probably has hypothyroidism and his thyroid is under working. Jeff returns the middle of August for a repeat blood test then Dr. Chu will probably start him on a pill before he heads off to college. No big deal and we've told Jeff that we like these easy side affects. Jeff feels great, looks great and does everything.
This coming Friday, the 26th, Ken's birthday, is when Jeff's unique Hodgkin's journey began. We are extremely pleased and thankful that God has blessed Jeff with this road to recovery. We can't thank you all enough for your prayers and support. Please continue to keep Jeff in your prayers in the years ahead.
I'll email again sometime in August after the next thyroid test and let you know what's happening. Take care.
Love,
Marcia