The Test Results Are In

We received the call that all of Jim’s test results are in and all showed normal results. Please join us in the celebration of the words we have been waiting to hear, “You are 100% in remission!” We have been emotionally moved since this phone call with many tears of joy as we begin to share this news. We have shared many hugs and feel like our feet still aren’t quite on the ground. And, we are enjoying every second of it!

This is the end of Jim’s treatment protocol. However, he agreed to participate in a clinic trial of the known chemotherapy drug, Decitabine. This clinical trial will study the role that this drug has in preventing relapse in patients with AML who are in remission. Decitabine will be given by IV infusion over 1 hour for five consecutive days, every 6 weeks. Each 6 week period is considered a cycle. Treatment will continue for a total of 8 cycles. We have been told that Jim should be able to receive this treatment and then continue on to work. There shouldn’t be any of the typical chemotherapy side-effects of vomiting, hair loss, lowered blood counts etc. We are looking at this as a maintenance phase of treatment. This phase begins for Jim on Monday, March 23.

We want to thank you again for your interest in following us on this journey. We continue to be overwhelmed by the love and support we have received from so many. There are not adequate words to express our thanks to you for all your prayers. God has been faithful to us every step of the way, and we give the praise and glory to Him for this wonderful outcome. Watch in the next week or so for a final post to this blog as we reflect on this journey and God’s goodness to us.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

The week really went well before Jim went in for his biopsy. He didn't mention anything to me about feeling anxious about the procedure. I think now that he is working, it helps occupy his mind with other things. Right before the procedure, however, Jim called me and said his stomach was in knots. It's just never easy. The doctor gave him some Ativan to help calm him. The procedure was somewhat difficult. The needle bent as they tried to insert it to draw out the bone marrow. The good news is that Jim has strong bones. The bad news was that he had to be poked again. Jim suggested they put handlebars on the bed he was lying on so he could grip something as he braced for the pain. The joke he tells is that it was all good. He "took it lying down!" After the procedure was over, we returned home where he immediately asked for morphine to help ease the pain. We ate a little dinner which did not sit well with Jim. The morphine may have upset his stomach a bit, and he became sick and laid low the rest of the night. Over the last day or so, he only has pain at the incision site when he moves a certain way.

The next step is an appointment on Monday for an EKG, chest x-ray and ultrasound of his heart. This is a follow-up procedure to the chemotherapy treatment to determine if any damage was done to his heart by the chemo. We are hoping for a good result from those tests as Jim has not exhibited any symptoms related to his heart at all. And we continue to wait (patiently) for the results of the bone marrow biopsy.

Thanks again for following us on this journey. We appreciate your love and support.

A Few More Steps in the Right Direction

Jim's first week at work went well. He works only half days now for the month of March which seems to be about right for him. He is tired by the end of the day. Last Friday, when he saw his doctor, he found that most of his blood counts are just below the low end of the normal range. Here's the data: Jim's platelets - 149,000; Normal range is 150,000 to 450,000. They were as low as 3,000 after chemotherapy when spontaneous bruising occurred. Jim's hemoglobin: 9.9; Normal range for men is 14 to 17. Jim's white blood count: 4.4; Normal range is 4.5 to 11. The hemoglobin has been the slowest to rise which is why Jim tends to tire out easily.

At the beginning of each new year, instead of coming up with resolutions that I won't keep, I choose one little word that I want to focus on for the year. This year, I chose the word, "renew." In light of Jim's fight with leukemia, we know things will never be the same normal we had before his diagnosis. During his treatment, we had a "new normal". But this year, we are looking forward to a "new beginning". Here are some of examples of the "new beginning" we are starting to see:

Last Friday, Jim's PIC line was removed. This is the line that has been in for months at a time through which he receives medication, chemotherapy and from which the nurses draw blood. Each day, it was my job to tape plastic over it before Jim could shower. Now he is free of all that!

Another sign of a new beginning is that Jim is presently not on any medication. None! Remember this picture?

This is how my bathroom counter looks now.

Obviously, we are thankful for all the medication that Jim was able to take to treat this illness and also to help him feel more comfortable from the nasty side effects of chemotherapy. But, it is refreshing to have our bathroom clear of all those medications. A new beginning.

The other news we'd like to share with you is that Jim will be undergoing a bone marrow biopsy which is scheduled for this Thursday, March 12 at 2:00. This is the test that will determine is there is any leukemia present in Jim's bone marrow. If not, he will be declared in remission.

We are grateful for all of you who have followed us on this journey and have helped to meet our needs and lifted us up in prayer. Again, I would ask for your prayers as Jim undergoes this biopsy procedure on Thursday. He has had bone marrow biopsies three times before and tells me they are painful even though anesthesia is given. Jim has been very anxious each time he has undergone this procedure. Please pray that Jim would experience a calm and God's peace that passes all understanding as he faces this procedure. Our God is good and we are careful to give Him the praise.

It sometimes takes up to a week before the results of the biopsy are known- always a long week for us. We'll let you know as soon as we know. Thanks again for all your prayers.

It's Off To Work He Goes

It's a milestone day. Jim's doctor has okayed his return to work on a part-time basis, and today was the first day back. What a blessing to get a taste of our usual routine. Jim was greeted with a warm welcome, many hugs and pats on the back. We recognize how blessed we are to have a job to go back to in this tough economy where many of our friends and neighbors are out of work or fearful of losing their jobs. God has been good to us and we welcome this new beginning.