Day 37 Admission-----BMB Results
Dear friends and family,
I'm sorry for the lateness of this post...I've just arrived home after spending the day w/ Bob. We met w/ Dr. Luger this morning, and I wish with all my heart that I had good news to share, but the results are not encouraging. The leukemia remains unchanged after this round of high dose chemo. Bobs' marrow is almost completely cellular, meaning that all they can see is leukemic cells or blasts. Needless to say this is very discouraging, and means that this is a very aggressive form of leukemia and unresponsive to the traditional treatment. We discussed different options...another combo of chemo agents, but that have less proven effectiveness than what he's already received...there may be a clinical trial that Bob might be a candidate for, but these different options are all going to depend on what his white count does now. Even though it is rising...today it was 2.4...there are no normal white cells, neutrophils being the most important to fight infection. Dr.Luger said that the chemo most likely destroyed any "good" white cells, but did not touch the leukemia. So at this point, we are waiting to see over the next few days exactly what happens w/ the WBC's. It may continue to go very high, and the leukemia actually starts to crowd out the red cells and platelets, so there is a risk of bleeding. Obviously there is still a great risk of infection also, if the white cells are abnormal.
Bob continues to be a brick...whether he is holding it together for me, or himself, or probably both...he is my rock. He says one day at a time, and reminded me of the dire situation our dearest friend Deb found herself in. She was given terrible news, was all set to go through w/ a very dangerous, nearly experimental, stem cell transplant and 2 days before the procedure was found to be in remission. Miracles can happen...we pray for one now. In the meantime, we endeavor to live every moment the best we can. Bob received a card from our good friend Anita Russo which he has pinned on his bulletin board. It says..."Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift"...Eleanor Roosevelt
With so much love and thanks for your steadfast support,
Bob and Mo
posted by mo @ 5/04/2006 09:57:00 PM
4 Comments:
once again our dear friend deb is giving to us isn't she? i look back on a few days where we all had heavy hearts in hearing such news, and deb has shown us AND the wizards at hup that hope springs eternally. i am hoping from you tone mo, that there are some options on the table, if anyone is a candidate, it seems like our 'rock' is up for the task. you are both in my thoughts and good intentions. bob, give mo a kiss for me and mo, plant a big one on bob in return on my behalf. i will find out if you didn't! xoxo kathi
mo, you contiually amaze me as i read your blogs, you find words to match your feelings and that is a rare gift. i will speak for myself and say that after i read your communication, i am....leveled. so, please know that the quiet that you hear on our end is more a result of being awestruck by the grace and courage that you and bob share with us nightly. xoxoxo again. see, that's what i'm gifted with - x's and o's! kathi
Hey Mo and Bob, im with Kathi..so sorry the bone marrow didn't give you the results we all wanted!!it sort of makes me think of a fish bowl,, you know when you start to get ready to feed them, and all the fishes come together and wait,, can;'t help but wonder if with the pervious attempts at the biopsy if all the leukemic cells rushed to that spot!...Wow Mo,, you talk about Bob being a "rock" which i believe he certainly is also, but Mo, you too!! Not only once, but twice you have gone through this same scene.. talk about deja vu! YOu are a pretty strong woman!
Well, we learned with deb that prayers can work, will continue with those,and im with bob,, one day at a time!!I'll never give up hope and prayers that there will be another miracle here!! Hang in there guys!!love to both of you,,mdf
Dr Mazzola
I can't begin to tell you how much we miss you. I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
We are heading back to Florida May 22 but this time we are taking our Mother's with us, both are in their 80's. Kind of a belated Mother's Day gift.
But we wanted you know we are thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
Sherry & Don Gerhart
Post a Comment
<< Home