Finally, some encouraging news in our journey with this aggressive disease. Bill is recovering nicely from the surgery. He is still in a lot of pain when movement is involved, but it can be controlled by pain killers. He is eating well and can sleep at any moment, except when Tennessee basketball is on the TV, of course.
The good news is the chemotherapy is still controlling the bad white cells in his blood. The white cell count is staying low (500), and he hasn’t needed any packed red cells or platelet transfusions for several days. (That means the blasts aren’t taking over). These counts aren’t normal by any means, but a body can survive. The doctors also feel the clinical trial drug is helping control the cancer. Amen.
The transplant team at the University of Chicago Hospital has a different course of action for bone marrow transplants. With a manageable amount of blasts in the bone marrow, they will still do a transplant. The doctors administer a small amount of chemo, then a clinical trial drug that lowers counts in preparation for a transplant. (A different drug from the present clinical trial drug). When the transplant donor has contributed his marrow, the actual transplant preparations for Bill (high doses of chemo and radiation) will begin.
Loyola Medical Center, our previous hospital, likes the bone marrow to be “clean” and that means fewer than 5% blasts and your bone marrow in remission. UofC will accept up to 10% blasts depending on other factors. 2 ½ weeks ago, Bill’s bone marrow was 85% blasts.
Monday, March 17th, Bill will have his 9th bone marrow biopsy. It takes about 2 days for the results. Future action depends on these results. In fact, everything depends on the results.
We pray that the Lord places his healing hands on Bill. Amen
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10 comments:
GOOD NEWS!! What a novel event! Eating (you know the Food Nazi like to hear that), watching sports (is he zoning when he does?) and a course of action that is within his reach! WONDERFUL!! He's got to be an old pro at the biopsy thing. One more step on the road to good health. God leads us on life's path - it is our choice to follow. Obviously, Bill likes playing "Follow the Leader" - and it is paying off.
We will be praying on Monday, as we do everyday, and wait with baited breath for the results! Positive thoughts for positive results.
What a wonderful time to begin the rest of your life during the Easter season. God does work in mysterious ways.
Love, prayers, and good health,
Gail
I second the "GOOD NEWS' ! I'm happy to know that the new medicine seems to be helping. Every day is a new hurdle, Bill. Remember, I told you that you're like the Little Engine That Could.....
you ARE going to prove me right!!
Love, Karen
"GOOD NEWS"!!! Just what you needed to hear. Keep eating it makes the Food Nazi very happy.
We will keep praying that on Monday our positive thoughts will bring positive results.. Maybe we should become the "O' Hubers" on that day and have some Irish luck!
Thinking of you often and praying just as often
Love,
Paula
Ha, I like the idea of you becoming "O'Hubers" and getting some of that Irish luck! Of course, you don't need luck; you have wonderful doctors and nurses (including Nurse Nancy!) and faith to help you find the road to recovery. :)
Glad to hear that the surgery went well and that you are able to eat again. Best of luck on Monday; I know there's a four leaf clover with your name on it out there (okay, so a little luck never hurt anyone!).
Love,
Janet and John
You've had some busy days to say the least. The closer we get to a transplant the better. May the results bring us good news. We will anxiously be awaiting those results. Modern medicine is amazing and how everybody does things a little differently...so much information. We ofcourse will be praying for you minute by minute.
Lots of Love and Prayers,
E.b.
What a relief to read the past couple of blogs. I know that the last couple of weeks have been incredibly difficult, but it feels like we are on the way up. Good news about the results from the clinical trials and WOW incredible news about the possibility of a bone marrow transplant, that has been the hope all along.
Monday, March 17th is a great day. I know that St. Patrick and the luck of the Irish will be with you. We are sending all of our Irish blood to help you on Monday and we have a bunch of it between the two of us.
I am so glad that Bill is able to enjoy some basketball, because I know like many of our partners it is keeping them busy and out of trouble. Enjoy and may Tenn win.
Our prayers are with you on Monday.
Love , Joe and Suzanne
We will be praying for good results for you tomorrow. Hang in there. Lynn and Lake
Hopefully the bone marrow biopsy went well today. This is very good news in Bill's favor so keep up the good work. Also, "Happy Birthday" to Nancy today. Maybe the results from the biopsy will be a wonderful gift for your birthday a couple of days from now. Hang in there and keep us all posted. I will always remember that I have a friend who shares her birthday with St. Patrick's Day.
Love to all,
Mary Jo
Holy week seems like a perfect week for the good news from Bill's surgery and recovery. We are still praying for God to continue his healing power on Bill.
Janet and George
Happy belated birthday, Nancy!!!
Love,
Janet and John
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