Things are getting better all the time

Despite our annoyance at having to wait three hours past our appointment time to get set up in the chemo room on Saturday, things went reasonably well. During Saturday's treatment of both Rituximab and Bendamustine, Eric started feeling nauseous which continued through the night along with the usual flu-like symptoms. They were bit milder than in the past, plus, knowing that it is not going to last for a very long time makes it a bit more tolerable for Eric. Yesterday was Bendamustine only which meant more nausea all day and not eating. By about 8 PM, Eric was able to eat a banana and keep it down. By this morning, Monday, he felt fine and went to work. He'll probably be fatigued this week but it seems the worst is behind us. Only two more treatments left! The next one is 4/12.

Maureen

He said what?

Dr. S said the PET scan shows no visible signs of lymphoma! The cancer has responded so well to the treatment that it is now shrunk to the point of not being visible on a PET scan anymore. He cautioned that this doesn't mean it's gone, but it's going in the right direction and showing us that they're using the right chemo drugs and that Eric is responding great to the treatment. The enlarged lymph nodes are no longer there. He has three more rounds of chemo which should conclude at the end of May. At that time they'll do a bone marrow biopsy which will be much more conclusive than the PET scan. This is all GREAT news and we are so happy! Dr. S also agreed to no more weekly visits which means Eric just has to go get his blood drawn locally every two weeks as Dr. A has ordered. Piece of cake!

Next on the schedule: Chemo this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. We so hope these will get easier and that Eric won't feel any effects but, knowing it's working and it'll be over in two more months sure makes it all a lot easier to deal with.

Thank you to the prayer patrol, the well wishers, our families, friends we have met, and new friends we have never met, especially the prayer group and individuals from Old St. Pat's Church in Chicago. Keep those prayers coming!

Maureen

Mini Update

It's only been a few days, but Eric's platelets continue to hold steady at right about 300 per today's blood work. With that, Dr. A says no more weekly blood work needed (unless the oncologist, Dr. S wants it, which we'll find out tomorrow). Now blood work only needs to be done every two weeks. Things keep looking up! (As a reminder, Dr. A is the benign hematologist who is managing the TCP which has been the cause of the low platelet issue.)

Maureen

Big Day

Eric's blood count continues to look good with his platelets just above 300 this past Friday and he's now off the Prednisone. Today he gets blood work and his restaging PET scan with the first appointment of the day at 11:00. The PET scan will tell us if the chemo is working. It will be compared to the previous scan done in December and we'll find out if things are better, worse, or the same as previously. Of course, we're hoping for the former. We'll visit with Dr. S. tomorrow to get the results tomorrow.  That's a 10:00 appointment.

If Eric's appearance and physical condition are any indication, he seems to be doing excellent and he feels great. You would not have the slightest clue, if you saw him, that he is battling cancer. He hasn't lost his hair, he's maintained his weight, and he's as handsome as ever.

Maureen

All Good. Still.

Platelets 360 this week. Everything looks good. Almost off Prednisone, too. Now one tab (10 mg) every other day. Eric will be traveling for work this week and it seems like a miracle that he is well enough to be living pretty normally right now. March 18 is the big testing day and March 19 is results day. We'll finally get to find out how the cancer is responding to the treatment. Blood work again next Friday. It is so nice to be able to do this close to home!

Thanks for all the prayer and we hope you'll keep them coming.

Maureen

Short report

Blood work this past Friday showed platelets even higher, still in the normal range at 326. Everything else is good. Blood draw again on Friday.

Maureen