August 8, 2006
Update # 49
Good Evening,
We tried to change the font and the line break but this web mail would not let us do that so sorry how this prints out when I'm on Jeff's laptop at CG.
Speaking of computers -- Jeff was not happy last night when he decided to get on to IM and found he was blocked. They did some checking today and discovered that SSM blocked all their facilities as of 8-7 from IM. That's fine for their employees but patients are now cut off from the world.
Jeff had a pint of platelets early Monday morning before the bone marrow biopsy around Noon. Blood work showed Jeff's kidneys are working better but his magnesium and calcium are a little low so they are giving him pills for that.
Well, we did NOT get perfect news late this afternoon but encouraging news. Jeff is not in remission but is considered borderline. He did respond well to chemo and in fact could continue to have the chemo working these next two weeks. Dr. Gauvain plans to do another bone marrow biopsy in 2 weeks and see if Jeff responds even more. (She did comment that a remission in this first chemo induction is unusual and that most do need a 2nd chemo induction.)
They are pleased that Jeff is doing well -- especially no fevers. So we sit and wait for 2 more weeks. We hope his infection fighting numbers begin to rise again during this time.
The sometimes cough still bothered one of the doctors so he ordered a CT Scan for yesterday. It showed a spot in the left lung. They feel it is a fungus so they started Jeff on an anti-fungal medication. This one is different from the one he took for a couple of days the end of July and will not send him into chills like that first one did.
Jeff's appetite has picked up these last couple of days. They are glad since his weight began dropping more quickly over the weekend.
CG has heard from Barnes that Jeff has common antigens so that will help in finding a donor match. Oh, little Josh found out today that his dad is an exact match -- very rare for that to happen so all of us in the unit are thrilled for them.
The Gestlands visit from Tulsa on Sunday and Monday was most enjoyable -- especially the Ted Drewes run!!! We liked the Pookers stopping by also on Sunday. Lloyd, Ramona and I taught in Kansas in 1976 and can't remember when we were last altogether. The visits from church members are greatly appreciated since they are our helpers these next few months.
We knew this road was going to be tougher than the Hodgkin's but we are encouraged when the doctors are smiling about test results. Your prayers are what helps us the most. We just can't thank you enough but do give thanks to God for each of you being in our lives.
love,
Marcia