June 28 Update

Dear Fods,

There have been some ups and downs since the last post and we thank you for keeping up your diligent watch on Debbie.

Debbie completed the first 28 day course of treatment and we see some positive progress. The outpatient drugs did their job and they knocked her counts "waaaay" down and she bottomed out with a 1K platelet reading! That said, the drugs also knocked out some of the leukemia. While not clean, they are reporting a positive effect on Debbie's bone marrow. We are awaiting more definitive readings in the next days.

The BMB last week was not a good one -- even with MVP Porter at the bat. He could not get a core sample and had to go back in twice to get one. Not a good day.

Debbie was able to go to Holly Seward's daughter's wedding last Friday evening. It was a very nice affair in a wonderful mansion overlooking the Delaware River. She was able to hang out with her nurse buddies and even turned a dance or two -- for which she paid the next day.

We left the wedding and continued East to the shore house and had a very nice weekend at the beach. The temperatures were very nice during the day and cool during the night. One of the best weather weekends at the shore since we have been going down there. Debbie was able to relax on the beach -- sun herself -- and even go to the Outback for dinner on Saturday afternoon.

Jessie and the babies came up for a visit on Monday -- Wednesday and that cheered Debbie up. They were able to go out for ice cream, visit Freddy Hill Farms, and just spend time together. It is always great to see them all and how fast they are growing. One of these days they will sleep through the night.

Today, Debbie started he second cycle of treatment and she did not have such a good day. She turned down the zofran this morning and paid the price for the rest of the day. She took some medication and things have seemed to settle down. Debbie was able to eat some rice for dinner, but has stayed in her bed for the rest of the day. Back down to HUP tomorrow for another dose.

Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow. This is the first day of the 7 day injectible chemo cycle which ends on July 4th. Debbie's counts are very low to start again -- but they are watching her closely.

Thanks to all for continuing to keep in touch. It means alot to us.

Debbie sends her love to all.

June 15 Update

Dear Fods,

Debbie had quite a week this past week with an extra trip to HUP today. When she went down this past Wednesday, her counts had fallen dramatically. Her wbc was down to 1.3 and her platelets were 5K -- very seriously low. They gave her platelets on Wednesday and required that she return again today to check her levels. Also, Debbie has now developed multiple small lumps all over her body which are very painful. Doctor Porter called them "balls of leukemia" and said that they are not unusual. Obviously, the problem for Debbie is that she cannot get comfortable in bed because she cannot find a spot where one of these "balls" is not getting pressure.

Today, we arrived at HUP before 8 and were literally the first patients in the place. With unusual efficiency we were immediately called into the lab and had the results within 10 minutes. Her platelets were 14K, which was too low, and they ordered another infusion to make sure that she would get through the weekend. Her wbc was 2, but that was after the neupogen shot she took on Wednesday night. All of this means that the chemo is doing its job and is knocking down the leukemia and everything else in its way! The good news is that the leukemia that was in Debbies' blood stream is not there now. While this is not remission, the chemo appears to be holding the leukemia at bay for the moment.

Heather came to the lab and visited with Debbie for quite a while to discuss her condition and continued care. Debbie will have to get her counts taken again on Monday -- but luckily at our local lab rather than HUP. Hopefully, her counts will hold until the next scheduled visit on Wednesday. At this visit, they will also do the first BMB of the clinical trial.

We left HUP around 11:00 and headed to the shore house for a quiet weekend. With technology, my office is always available with the laptop and I finished the day in OC. Hopefully, we will have a little sun tomorrow and Debbie will get some good beach time.

Thanks for all of the cards and well wishes.

Debbie sends her love to all.

It really is chemo!!

Dear Fods,

This week was not a "walk in the park" for Debbie. She had three more days of shots and she looks like someone took a rubber hose to her legs and arms. Debbie had the first three doses of the experimental drug this week and she has been really exhausted for the past few days. We keep trying to remind her that these are very powerful drugs -- but being home, she sometimes tries to push it a bit too much. Michael is now in charge of the vacuum and mop while Joey keeps the outside of the house watered and looking nice for summer.

Deb's appetite seems to come and go as does waves of nausea which is probably related to the chemo/experimental meds. Other than getting back and forth from Penn -- she has not gone out this week. But with a wbc of <1.8>

Just one HUP trip this Wednesday to meet with the doctors as part of the study requirements. Mike should be up to the task this week. Hopefully, with no shots for a couple of weeks, she will regain some of her energy and her welts will calm down.

Debbie sends her love to all.

June 3 Update

Dear Fod's,

Debbie has gone through 4 days of shots and except for her fatigue, she is holding up very well. The only set of shots that caused her any significant discomfort was Day #1 and we believe that it was "operator" error. The other three days went fine. Visiting nurses came out today and yesterday to administer the injections. The HUP home infusion unit delivered the drugs on time every time. Frankly, it may be faster to have the infusion unit deliver the drugs to me and I will take them down to HUP! That would definitely save an hour or two of HUP time.

Debbie is hoping to catch a movie and an early dinner tonight. She is visiting now with Kathie her visiting nurse and they are catching up.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a long day -- can you believe it! We will pack food, provisions and flares and hope to be home before sundown.

We will keep you posted.

Debbie sends her love to all.