22 July 2022

 We're going with "cautiously optimistic" to describe the visit from the doctor today. Mom jokes that she'll most likely be home by Christmas, because she was told when she came back in this time that she needed 30 treatments at 5 days on and two off.  So we had calculated that the end of August was a realistic release time. Today, doc said she will be released in about 10 days. She'll have another blood marrow biopsy as an outpatient at some point after she goes home. The trajectory of her results continues to be in the right direction, so when she goes home (possibly by August 1 now) she'll be on and off the oral chemo in a smaller dose. That will be two weeks on, two weeks off, with monthly office visits. 

Your prayers and visits and outpouring of love and support have meant so much to her stay here being tolerable. Thank you for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. 

16 July 2022

 No news is good news, right guys? Pretty much no changes since the last update. 

Mom's had 7 treatments since her return to the hospital. All numbers/blood results/EKGs, etc. are very good. No concerns. One of the weekend doctors gave us different information than we got the other day about this phase of the treatment. We thought this type of maintenance, staying in the hospital for a month at a time, would not be a recurring need. However, this doctor said that the data is constantly evolving, and the latest trials show that two maintenance stays are more the norm. It sucks to be in here for so long, but the alternative sucks more. And it could be much much worse. Mom's just going to do what she needs to do to get this done, whatever it takes. 

12 July 22

 If you're still following along, you know Mom returned to the hospital for the maintenance phase of treatment on July 5th. This will be lower doses of the same treatment she had before, and possibly 5 days on, 2 days off, for three more weeks. This "maintenance" won't be something she'll have to do regularly after this, either.  This is the end of it. Because monitoring her heart is crucial, she has to be in the hospital, because it would be too complicated for her to stay home and go in for treatment every day. She was able to move into the suite that she had last time, so the sewing machine and quilt projects have returned, as well. After all, the projects must go on! 

2nd Out-Patient Visit Update

Mom went to the oncologist's office today, got blood drawn, and had an appointment with him. When he came in with the results, he said, "...perfect CBC...you're fixed..." He later said that if he showed the results to any other doctor and asked them what was wrong with this patient, they would say, "Nothing." Since being taken off all the chemo, those drugs actually continued to work.  So Mom will begin the maintenance phase now (which will be lower doses of the same treatment).  Because monitoring her heart is crucial, she'll be in the hospital for the next treatment. It would be too complicated for her to stay home and go in for treatment every day.

So, Mom returns to the hospital for one month on July 5th for maintenance. It's a good thing he's letting her wait til next week, too, because she's making the dessert for the 4th!

Monday Out-Patient Appointment Update

To recap, Mom had a bone marrow biopsy performed one week ago today, and was released from the hospital to go home. She has definitely been enjoying the unplugged life.

She went to her appointment on Monday to learn the results of the biopsy and to discuss what lies ahead.  One of the tests is called a FISH panel. (FISH probes are for detecting gene mutations typically associated with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.) When she was admitted to the hospital, her count was 200 out of a possible 200. After the 38 days of treatment, she is at 9/200.  That number has to be a zero. 

The plan going forward is to stay home with no treatment for one week, which will take her through this weekend. Then, she will remain at home and restart the Vesanoid (pill chemo). She'll take that for two weeks, then take nothing for 1-2 weeks after that. Within that one to two weeks, she will return to the hospital for 28 more days of the same combination of treatments she was on before, which is Vesanoid and Arsenic Trioxide (drip). The hospital stay couldn't be avoided, unfortunately. This time, she will have the treatments M-F/off Saturdays and Sundays. Another bone marrow biopsy will be performed at the conclusion of that round. Her doctor tried very hard to figure out a way to keep her out of the hospital this time. For her safety, though, he needs her there in order to continually monitor her heart. 

Mom's not thrilled with this news, however, she's grateful there's still an option to get rid of this stuff. She's planning what to pack for her second stay and swears it will be much less than the loads we brought home.  We'll keep you updated on that. Please continue praying and sending your support. 

God is bigger. He is not surprised by this. And He is still good, no matter what. 

 

Home Again!

Mom was discharged this afternoon. After 38 days, she’s home with Lewis, and they are grateful. Naps are in their very near future.  

Mom was told to go home and rest. She’s not taking any medications this weekend, and will go to her oncologist’s office Monday.

As a family, we cannot tell you how much we appreciate your love and support. So much of her healing had to do with her uplifted spirit, and that came from you. She depended on you daily. The care she received at Harris HEB was also outstanding. Though we’ll miss the team, we’re glad to be leaving them.

God has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:3) No matter what happens, He is still good, but we are especially thankful that Mom’s cure was His will for her. We praise Him for what He’s done.

Tuesday, 6/14/22

Well, friends, the time has come!  

Mom's having a bone marrow biopsy done and going home some time Thursday, 6/16/22!

Her oncologist stands by his statement that she is now cured. Her last drip chemo will be Wednesday, and

she'll continue a low dose of chemo at home (in pill form) for an undetermined amount of time. 

Friday, she'll go for her first Oncologist's office visit. 

As you can imagine, she is super eager to get home. Currently, no road trips or anything are being planned. Mom and Lewis are being very cautious, even though the doctor said her only restriction right now is to stay away from sick people. And shouldn't we all stay away from sick people?