We are some what closer to a plan on what is going on with Jeff. Actually, I guess we have the start of a plan.
First, let me thank all of you for your concern,thoughts and prayers. You can't imagine how they help.
Second, I ask for forgiveness in advance because my thoughts are all scrambled and disjointed and may not make sense.
Today was the start of a busy week of doctor visits.
It seems like everytime we get more info about this disease and how it is affecting Jeff, it is not what I am hoping for. But, I know that we will make it through. How can we not with God holding us up along the way?
Most of the bone marrow results were back. I was really hoping that there would be no bone marrow involvement. However, following the pattern we established starting with surgery results, there is bone marrow involvement. On the other hand, all his blood counts remain okay. So, kind of a mixed bag today. Because of how advanced the disease it, the doctor thinks Jeff has probably had it for "years" but can not say exactly how long. There is no way to know.
Dr H told us that he recommends starting chemotherapy at this point. The decision, of course, was Jeff's to make. He could get started now or he could wait and revisit in a few months or a year and see where he was- he could remain symptom free that long, or could start with symptoms within a month. There is no way to know. I think if there was a way to know that he would feel as good as he does now in a years time, Jeff would have prolonged the decision.
Dr H also mentioned that there are some features that are showing some aggression. (again, not something I really wanted to hear). There was still one test that hadn't come back yet. If it would happen to come back positive it would indicate more aggression. Not sure how long until that comes back. Jeff remained hesitant because he feels fine now and has no symptoms- but starting the chemotherapy is liable to change that. He doesn't like the idea of making himself sick when he feels so good. But, we decided at this point to go ahead and start therapy right away.
I wish I had a dollar for the number of times today that I heard the words "healthy" "have no symptoms" and "Young". "Because you are young and healthy and have no symptoms....." was the phrase of the day. It all boiled down to Dr. H saying that he thought we could get a good remission because of those million dollar phrases. Then one of the chemo nurses who came in used that same 'Because you are young and healthy, you have a good chance of handling the chemo pretty well.'
The plan for now is 2 chemo drugs over 2 days given every 4 weeks for 6 cycles.
We will drive back to Meadville on Friday morning for some chemo teaching. I am hoping at that point that we will have a start date. On Monday, the 31st, we will go back to Meadville and meet a surgeon so we can go back on Tuesday (the van will soon know the way itself) and Jeff will have a port inserted. We decided that we would go with the doctor's recommendation for a port to save Jeff's veins from the harshness of the meds.
In between all THOSE visits, Clinton goes to the dentist for a cracked tooth and Matthew has to go to the doctor for a scratched eye that has gotten sore and most likely infected. I have a feeling I'll get some reading time in during this next week. I'm going to be doing enough sitting around in doctor's offices and waiting rooms!
Thanks again for the support.
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