Day 109
I sent this message out to a number of close, and a few new, friends as an update on John and his leukemia progress. I share it for what more it might add, if you are following along. One or two have their own similar family reasons to share in the ups and downs of dealing with diseases like his, and I appreciate all the thoughts and encouraging words each has shared.
John progressed well after his initial chemotherapy, but was hospitalized for several weeks after the second, as a result of an infection and other reactions to the treatment. He has recovered slowly since then, but has been able to be here at home for a couple of weeks now.
John has agreed to participate in a clinical trial at the Fred Hutchinson Center in Seattle and we will be leaving for there soon. If you don’t know, this center basically invented (actually reinvented) bone marrow transplants and is the leading place in the world for what is still a work in progress. The trial will use radioactive monoclonal antibodies (I can tell you more about that than you want to know if you ever have trouble sleeping) in lieu of more traditional massive doses of chemotherapy and total body radiation prior to his transplant. John has three matched marrow donors identified and we are hopeful that we can move quickly into the process. All in all, all this is encouraging news.
Debbie will be commuting between here and Seattle during our stay, which we hope will be 4 to 6 months. I will let you know how to reach us, once I figure that out myself.
Several weeks ago, John started a “live journal” online about his progress. It is mostly directed to his friends, but you might find it entertaining.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/johnvscancer (The hair in the picture is not really his!)
Since he doesn’t talk much about the disease, I followed suit and you can find more boring updates at
http://randycadenhead.blogspot.com
Thanks for your thoughts, care and encouragement, all of which means a great deal.
John progressed well after his initial chemotherapy, but was hospitalized for several weeks after the second, as a result of an infection and other reactions to the treatment. He has recovered slowly since then, but has been able to be here at home for a couple of weeks now.
John has agreed to participate in a clinical trial at the Fred Hutchinson Center in Seattle and we will be leaving for there soon. If you don’t know, this center basically invented (actually reinvented) bone marrow transplants and is the leading place in the world for what is still a work in progress. The trial will use radioactive monoclonal antibodies (I can tell you more about that than you want to know if you ever have trouble sleeping) in lieu of more traditional massive doses of chemotherapy and total body radiation prior to his transplant. John has three matched marrow donors identified and we are hopeful that we can move quickly into the process. All in all, all this is encouraging news.
Debbie will be commuting between here and Seattle during our stay, which we hope will be 4 to 6 months. I will let you know how to reach us, once I figure that out myself.
Several weeks ago, John started a “live journal” online about his progress. It is mostly directed to his friends, but you might find it entertaining.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/johnvscancer (The hair in the picture is not really his!)
Since he doesn’t talk much about the disease, I followed suit and you can find more boring updates at
http://randycadenhead.blogspot.com
Thanks for your thoughts, care and encouragement, all of which means a great deal.
