We got the phone calls from both our doctor in Fort Wayne and the doctor at IU Med Center. The results of Jim's lumbar puncture show that he does have blasts in his spinal fluid. The first order of business is to get his spinal fluid cleared. Jim will need to have lumbar punctures twice a week until the spinal fluid is clear. This will begin tomorrow. They will draw some spinal fluid off and send it to be tested each time they do a lumbar puncture. They will replace it with chemotherapy to treat the leukemia. Once the spinal fluid is clear, they will treat it two more times to "seal the deal" and make sure they have it all. The doctors think this could take 2 to 2 1/2 weeks to accomplish. I asked if she felt confident they could get rid of the leukemia in the spinal fluid, and while she said there were no guarantees, she did say that she was fairly confident that this could be done.
While that is being done, she will contact the University of Michigan to make arrangements for the bone marrow transplant to be done there. The doctor said she wasn't able to connect with the contact person at U of M, but that she would continue to work on that. I asked if there was any chance that U of M would not accept us, and she assurred me that wasn't the case. They just need to make the contact.
So that's the plan. Jim and I are understandably nervous and have shed our tears, but we are ready to put one foot in front of the other and begin. Here is how you can pray:
- Pray that Jim would be able to tolerate the lumbar puncture procedures well and be protected from the headaches and nausea that often occur.
- Pray that the chemotherapy would be effective and that the spinal fluid would clear quickly.
- Pray that I would be able to arrange for child care and organize my home and provide a guide to whomever may come to help me with our children.
- Pray that our family would experience that peace that only God can give. This is an incredibly hard and scary road that we are on. Pray especially for our children as both Jim and I will be away from them for a while.
- Pray that Jim would be completely healed of this disease.
- Pray that God would receive the glory no matter what the outcome.
Thank you once again for all your love and care and support. Please continue to uplift us in prayer.
4 comments:
Well.....HERE WE GO!!!! We are praying diligently for you guys in all things!! Jim, hang tough and we are praying for minimal side effects. We are also praying for your brother that he stay healthy and that the transplant take place ASAP.
Marilyn, if there is anything that we can do to help, please let us know. We are praying for you also to stay strong and healthy as this is a tough battle for BOTH of you!!
We love you-
The Albertson's
Jim & Marilyn, We are agreeing with you in prayer. Natalie
On it! (meaning I am praying)
We are praying at the Best house! We know this is a rough road ahead but we also know who is in control. May God grant you all peace beyond understanding and strength like David to fight the lions head on and come out victorious! Take care of yourselves!
Terry and Tracy
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